Mark Ella

Last updated

Mark Ella
AM
Birth nameMark Gordon Ella
Date of birth (1959-06-05) 5 June 1959 (age 64)
Place of birth La Perouse, New South Wales, Australia
School Matraville High School, Sydney
Notable relative(s) Glen Ella (brother)
Gary Ella (brother)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fly-half
Amateur team(s)
YearsTeamApps(Points)
Randwick ()
Provincial / State sides
YearsTeamApps(Points)
New South Wales ()
International career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
1980–1984 Australia 25 (78)

Mark Gordon Ella, AM [1] (born 5 June 1959) is an indigenous Australian former rugby union footballer. Ella played at flyhalf/five-eighth and was capped by the Wallabies 25 times, captaining Australia on 10 occasions.

Contents

Ella made his debut tour with the Wallabies on the 1979 Australia rugby union tour of Argentina. He would later make his Test debut for Australia during the 1980 Bledisloe Cup Test series, in which the Wallabies defeated the All Blacks two games to one – the first three-Test series victory Australia against New Zealand since 1949, the first series victory over the All Blacks on Australian soil since 1934, and the first occasion the Wallabies]] successfully retained the Bledisloe Cup. In 1982, Ella was made captain of the Australia national rugby union team and he would go on to captain the Wallabies on 10 occasions from 1982 to 1983. He was the first indigenous Australian to captain a national sports team. Ella captained a depleted Australian team on the 1982 Australia rugby union tour of New Zealand, which the Wallabies would lose one game to two against the All Blacks. However, Australia scored 316 points in 14 matches on tour, including 47 tries. Ella is perhaps most famous for his performances on the 1984 Australia rugby union tour of Britain and Ireland, during which Australia achieved rugby union's Grand Slam by defeating the Home Nations in four consecutive Tests, with Ella scoring one try in each Test.

He and his brothers Glen (his twin) and Gary were educated at Matraville High School, where they learned to play rugby. All three went on to play for the Australia national team. Mark also played for Randwick and New South Wales domestically. [ citation needed ]

Playing career

The five-eighth

Bob Dwyer, former coach of the Wallabies, in his first autobiography The Winning Way, claimed Ella to be one of the five most accomplished Australian players he had ever seen. Dwyer hailed Ella as number one "for mastery of the game's structure". [2] This is perhaps due to Dwyer's perspective on the five-eighth's role: "A five-eighth's primary function is to draw defence and so open up space for the runners outside him." [3] This conveys how Ella approached playing the five-eighth position.

Ella's approach to playing the five-eighth position was unique and different from that of any other five-eighth of his era, and involved many obvious characteristics different from those of his five-eighth contemporaries. Gareth Edwards writes in 100 Great Rugby Players that: "Firstly, he stands closer to his scrum-half than most other stand-off halves I have played with or against, so that he pulls back row forwards on him at an angle which makes it hard for them to change direction, once he has released possession, to harass the midfield". [4] Ella describes the distance from which he stood from the scrum-half in his book Running Rugby, "Generally, I stood about 5 metres from the halfback and about 4 metres behind him. According to the old formula for the right-angled triangle, this means I was no more than 3 metres wide of him". [5]

Relatively straight running was a distinguishable trait associated with Ella's game. This was intended to draw defenders towards him at a certain angle and help unleash his teammates into gaps. Ella wrote:

By standing close, the five-eighth ensures that he draws the open-side flanker. Any five-eighth standing close will look like a sitting duck to the flanker, who is therefore keyed up to flatten him. This is just what the five-eighth wants. Provided he runs fairly straight, the flanker will not be able to resist coming at him, and at the appropriate moment, having drawn the flanker, the five-eighth passes to the inside-centre. The moment this happens the flanker is out of the game, for he now has to turn around and chase. On the other hand, if the five-eighth stands wide or if he does not run fairly straight, the flanker can approach him at an angle. If the five-eighth then unloads, the flanker can continue on the same angle and nail the inside centre. [5]

Standing flat demands exceptional ball handling skills, which were a hallmark of Ella's game. Ella's dependable hands were lauded by former Scottish rugby international Norman Mair in The Scotsman : "Ella has hands so adhesive that when he fumbled a ball against Scotland (in 1984) you would not have been surprised to see those Australians of the appropriate religious persuasion cross themselves." [6]

Concerning the manner in which Ella regularly received the ball from his scrum-half; Ella gave no quarter to the speed at which the ball was delivered to him, regardless of how close he stood, trusting in his ability to safely hold the ball. Ella writes: "Once you have positioned yourself, the next thing is to demand a fast pass from the halfback. The quicker the ball reaches you the better, for every fraction of a second is important to the five-eighth, given that the opposition can be on top of him in less than two seconds. I used to insist on having the ball passed to me like a rocket." [7]

Ella possessed a distinguishing trait of instantaneously igniting a backline movement. His vision and ability to 'read the play' is evidenced by his much-vaunted passing game. Gareth Edwards notes, "Next, he wastes no strides holding the ball he does not want to use, and flips it instantly on its way towards the wide open space down the touchline where danger-men like David Campese prowl..." [4] Continuing his appraisal of Ella in The Scotsman, Mair wrote: "In his deft handling, the ball is often on in a fraction of a second". [6] The London Observer described Ella as "the detonator which explodes the brilliance of the Australian backs at critical moments." [6]

This, however, does not entail Ella passing the ball as fast as possible. The execution of Ella's backline ploys were expertly controlled by the timing and speed of his passes. Ella writes: "Quick passes are often a sign that the five-eighth is not reading the play. He (the five-eighth) is throwing a quick pass automatically, believing this is what he ought to be doing, without making an assessment of the play and of the opportunities that might exist at that moment. By doing so, he is handing the initiative back to the opposition". [8]

Mair concluded his appraisal of Ella's form in the famous 1984 Grand Slam tour in The Scotsman, stating: "Nothing about the football of the likable Ella excels his backing up. His ability to materialise in a given spot is of the spirit world". [6] The extent to which Ella supported his teammates has been gauged by Gareth Edwards who wrote that, "In rugby the word 'link-man' is almost a cliché, yet it is the term I must choose to sum up Mark's gifts." [4] Edwards continues writing that:

Thirdly, it has to be said that there are plenty of stand-off halves in the modern game – some of them internationals – who are content to give their centres possession and let back row forwards do the main support job. Mark Ella could not bear to lose involvement in an attack like that. Having delivered his pass, he invariably, it seems to me, keeps moving, getting himself between centre and wing on an extended loop– or even outside his wing! Such off-the-ball running is a true sign of greatness ... [4]

Throughout his career, Ella's ability to 'keep the ball alive' resulted in many remarkable tries. Such "faultless positional play in support", [9] resulted in a continuity of play which was regarded by many to have tremendous entertainment value. In 100 Great Rugby Players, Gareth Edwards concludes his writings on Ella by stating: "In this book, we are mainly concerned with players' outstanding ability to play the game, but it is worth adding here that Mark Ella provided tremendous entertainment to spectators, as well as demonstrating his skills". [10]

International career

Ella came into contention for national selection during the 1979 Ireland rugby union tour of Australia that included two Tests. On 26 May 1979, Ella played for New South Wales in Ireland's third tour game which NSW lost 12–16. Ella also played for Sydney in Ireland's seventh tour game, which Sydney won 16–12. Irish captain and flanker Fergus Slattery stated, following the tour, that Mark Ella was the Australian five-eighth who troubled Ireland the most.

Ella was again overlooked for national selection for Australia's one-off Bledisloe Cup Test in 1979 against New Zealand, which Australia won 12–6 in a tryless Test. [11]

Following Australia's 1979 Bledisloe Cup victory, Bob Templeton replaced Dave Brockhoff as coach of the Australia national rugby union team. With Australia scoring one try in their past three Tests, Templeton selected Ella for the 1979 Australia rugby union tour of Argentina. Ella made his debut for the Wallabies during their second touring match against Interior on 16 October 1979, scoring a try in a 47–12 win. [12] Ella played in Australia's fourth touring match against Rosario, which Australia won 21–13. [13]

Ella almost achieved national selection for the first Test following injuries to Paul McLean and Roger Gould. [13] The possibility arose that the Australian selectors might move incumbent five-eighth Tony Melrose to fullback, allowing Ella to fill the five-eighth role. [13] However, McLean played fullback with a broken wrist in plaster, denying Ella the possibility of playing his first Test for Australia. [13] Between the first and second Australian Tests against Argentina, Ella played in Australia's last provincial match against Cuyo, won 43–4. [14]

In 1980 Australia's incumbent five-eighth, Tony Melrose, turned professional to play rugby league. Following this, Ella was selected for the 1980 Australia rugby union tour of Fiji. Ella was a surprise omission at five-eighth for Australia's one-off Test against Fiji in 1980, after Queensland five-eighth Paul McLean was selected at fullback against Fiji. However, Sydney University's five-eighth Michael Hawker was chosen ahead of Ella for the five-eighth position.

1980 Bledisloe Cup Test Series

In 1980 the Wallabies retained the Bledisloe Cup with a 2–1 series victory over the All Blacks. The 1980 Bledisloe Cup Test series victory was the Wallabies' first three-Test series victory over the All Blacks since 1949, and their first three-Test series victory against the All Blacks on Australian soil since 1934.

Ella played against the All Blacks in their first touring match against Sydney that was drawn 13-13, in which Ella received the man of the match award. [15] Prior to Australia's first Test against New Zealand in 1980, incumbent Australian outside center Andrew Slack withdrew from the Australian side due to injury. [16] The selectors picked three former players from the 1977/78 Australian Schoolboys to comprise Australia's mid-field – Mark Ella at five-eighth, Michael Hawker at inside centre, and Michael O'Connor at outside centre. [15] O'Connor was originally slated to play on the wing outside of Slack. [16]

Making his debut for the Wallabies, Ella "opened the scoring with a dropped goal" on his non-preferred right boot. With the scores tied at 9-9, Ella set-up a try for Australian winger Mick Martin by looping Michael Hawker. Australia went on to win the first Test 13–9. [17]

Australia lost the second Test 9–12. [18]

Prior to Australia's third Test against New Zealand in 1980, Queensland five-eighth Paul McLean played in a historic Queensland victory over New Zealand (9–3), thus challenging Ella for Test selection. However, Ella was retained for the third Test against New Zealand with McLean selected on the bench. [18]

The third Test against New Zealand in 1980 contained one of the most famous moments of Mark Ella's rugby career – his "around-the-body-pass." Ella's biographer Bret Harris documents that:

"With a sound platform, the backs performed feats of magic. Mark's wayward genius was evident in Australia's second try. The backs charged down the narrow side of the field in a passing rush, but the movement was halted by the cover defence. The backline quickly realigned towards the right hand side of the field with a golden opportunity to attack from the ensuing maul. But Mark incorrectly called 'left' and found himself in no man's land, surrounded by three All Black forwards. With Andy Haden almost smothering him like a grizzly bear, Mark pirouetted and curved the ball behind the giant All Black's back to Hawker, who sent O'Connor dashing for the tryline. It was one of the most extraordinary pieces of rugby seen in a Test match in a long while." [19]

Four minutes following Ella's "around-the-body-pass" he kicked his second drop-goal in international rugby, once again on his non-preferred right foot. The final score of 26-10 marked what was Australia's then largest victory over New Zealand.

Australia v France (1981)

Following Australia's famous victory over New Zealand in 1980, Ella was dropped from the Australian side for Queensland five-eighth Paul McLean following Queensland's dominance over New South Wales in their interstate contests during 1981.

Australian coach Bob Templeton is reported later explaining Ella's omission saying that, "The French were a far more volatile team than the All Blacks and we had to change our approach accordingly. Any loose ball or mistakes could be dynamite. So we were probably a little more conservative."

Australia narrowly won the first Test 17-15 without Ella. Paul McLean kicked one goal from seven attempts.

Following the first Test against Queensland, Roger Gould was selected to play fullback for the second Test, replacing Geoff Richards. However, Gould had to withdraw from the second Test due to injury. Forced to re-organise the Australian side, Wallabies coach Bob Templeton selected incumbent five-eighth Paul McLean at fullback for the second Test against France, and reinstated Mark Ella at the five-eighth position.

In the 57th minute of the Test, Ella created a try for Australian outside centre Michael O'Connor by looping his inside centre Michael Hawker.

McLean kicked four penalty goals and two conversions.

...

In 1984 questions were asked of Mark's suitability to lead the Wallabies and so the Queenslander Andrew Slack was given the captaincy instead. After a narrow defeat against the All Blacks the Wallabies toured the UK and achieved victory in all 4 tests. Mark achieved a "Grand Slam" by scoring a try in every test match of the series, something that he had also accomplished on the 1977/78 Australian Schoolboys tour. At age 25, Ella stunned the rugby world by announcing his retirement, turning down many big money offers in the process. [ citation needed ]

After rugby

Ella is now a director of the Sports and Entertainment Group. In 2005 he was honoured as one of the inaugural five inductees into the Australian Rugby Union Hall of Fame. [20] In 1997 he was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame. [21]

In 2007 he published his eponymous autobiography, co-written with journalist Bret Harris. [22]

In January 2010 Ella commenced work with the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council as sports and events manager. He left the role to return to a coaching role with the Wallabies in October of the same year. [23]

Ella works at NITV, Australia's free-to-air Indigenous television station. In 2011 he became Executive Producer and Head of NITV Sport, [24] where "highlighting Indigenous sporting achievement has been a driving force behind the ... Barefoot Sports program." [25]

In July 2021, Ella agreed to donate his collection of five jerseys from the famous 1984 Wallabies grand slam tour to the Australian Rugby Museum, which is currently in development. [26]

Recognition

In On a Wing and a Prayer former Australian winger David Campese called Ella "the best rugby player I have ever known or seen." [27] This was a contention he reiterated in My Game Your Game by calling Ella, "The greatest player I have ever seen, or had the pleasure of playing alongside." [28]

In 1984 Australian fullback Roger Gould rated Ella "with Brendan Moon as the best Australian player I’ve seen." [29] Michael Hawker, who played with Ella at inside centre said that "Mark Ella was one of the greatest players– or probably the greatest player– I’ve ever seen." [30] He also contended that Ella changed precepts on how the game could be played. [31] Simon Poidevin wrote in For Love Not Money that, "Mark Ella remains the most talented rugby player I have ever seen." [32]

Rugby league player Wally Lewis, who played rugby union with Ella in the 1977/78 Australian Rugby Union Schoolboys side, called Ella the best player he's seen in rugby union or rugby league]]. [31] Dual international Michael O’Connor, who played with Ella at inside centre, outside centre and wing for Australia, considers Ella the best player he ever played with – in rugby league or rugby union. [31] In The Best of Both Worlds O'Connor is quoted saying that: 'Mark Ella was a genius. He was the best player I played with or against in both codes. He could sum up a situation instinctively... If I said to Mark "Okay let's run it", no problem– the next moment you'd have the ball in your hands... I don't think I’ve ever called for the ball from Mark and not received it.' [33] In Ella: The Definitive Biography, O'Connor further added that: 'I still think he is the best player I played outside of. I enjoyed playing outside him. Such good service. Good, quick ball. You knew playing outside Mark something was on every time. Have a crack. You won't die wondering.' [34]

In 2002 former Welsh eightman Eddie Butler, who played against Ella in 1984, ranked Ella at number one in his list of the 10 best fly-halves in the history of rugby union. [35] In 2003 Butler called Ella "My all-time favourite player' and asserted he was '... by a long way the most influential player of his generation. Just took the passing game and the support game and the reading game and just stretched, stretched them into new areas.'" [36] In 2020, former England flyhalf Stuart Barnes ranked Ella the third greatest five-eighth of all time, behind All Black Dan Carter and Wales' Phil Bennett. [37]

He was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 1984 Australia Day Honours for services to rugby, [38] and was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1987. [1] [39] He received a Centenary Medal and an Australian Sports Medal in 2001. [40] [41] In 2013, Ella was inducted into the IRB Hall of Fame. [42]

In 2013 Australian sports magazine Inside Rugby named its four Australian Invincibles – a rugby union equivalent of rugby leagues Immortals. Mark Ella was named alongside Col Windon, Ken Catchpole and David Campese as the first Invincibles of Australian rugby. [43]

Notes

  1. 1 2 "Ella, Mark Gordon". It's an Honour. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  2. ↑ Dwyer 1992, p. 40.
  3. ↑ Dwyer 1992, p. 55.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Edwards 1987, p. 55.
  5. 1 2 Ella 1995, p. 86.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Ella & Smith 1987, p. 54.
  7. ↑ Ella 1995, p. 91.
  8. ↑ Ella 1995, p. 92.
  9. ↑ Dwyer 2004, p. 183.
  10. ↑ Edwards 1987, p. 56.
  11. ↑ Harris 1984, p. 64.
  12. ↑ Harris 1984, p. 65.
  13. 1 2 3 4 Harris 1984, p. 67.
  14. ↑ Harris 1984, p. 69.
  15. 1 2 Harris 1984, p. 72.
  16. 1 2 Harris 1984, p. 72–73.
  17. ↑ Harris 1984, p. 74.
  18. 1 2 Harris 1984, p. 75.
  19. ↑ Harris 1984, p. 76.
  20. ↑ "Ella, Mark ARU Hall of Fame" (Press release). ARU. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  21. ↑ International Rugby Hall of Fame
  22. ↑ Ella, Mark; Harris, Bret (2007). Ella: The Definitive Biography. Random House. ISBN   9781741666915 . Retrieved 15 March 2013.
  23. ↑ "Mark Ella leaves Port Macquarie-Hastings council to return to the Wallabies". Australia: ABC News. 27 October 2010. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  24. ↑ "NITV welcomes former Wallabies Captain Mark Ella as head of NITV Sport" (Press release). NITV. 29 September 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
  25. ↑ "Barefoot Sports". NITV programs. NITV. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
  26. ↑ "Ella to part ways with 1984 grand slam jerseys for new Australian Rugby Museum". 7 July 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  27. ↑ Campese & Bills 1991, p. 174.
  28. ↑ Campese et al. 1994, p. 238.
  29. ↑ Ella & Smith 1987, p. 55.
  30. ↑ Derriman 2003, p. 137.
  31. 1 2 3 Dwyer 2004, p. 67.
  32. ↑ Poidevin & Webster 1992, p. 198.
  33. ↑ Harris 1991, p. 62.
  34. ↑ Harris & Ella 2007, p. 275.
  35. ↑ Review of Mark Ella in The Observer
  36. ↑ Derriman 2003, p. 136.
  37. ↑ "Carter and Wilkinson Ranked 10th and 8th in the 10 Best Flyhalves off All Time by British Pundit". 31 March 2020.
  38. ↑ "AD84" (PDF). Governor General's Office of Australia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 April 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
  39. ↑ "Mark Ella". Sport Australia Hall of Fame. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  40. ↑ "Ella, Mark: Australian Sports Medal". It's an Honour. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  41. ↑ "Ella, Mark: Centenary Medal". It's an Honour. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  42. ↑ "Legends inducted into IRB Hall of Fame" (Press release). International Rugbhy Board. 18 November 2013. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  43. ↑ "Australian Rugby: Mark Ella, David Campese, Ken Catchpole, Colin Windon named Invincibles". 12 June 2013.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australia national rugby union team</span> Australia national rugby union team

The Australia national rugby union team, nicknamed the Wallabies, is the representative national team in the sport of rugby union for the nation of Australia. The team first played at Sydney in 1899, winning their first test match against the touring British Isles team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyril Towers</span> Rugby player

Cyril Towers was an Australian rugby union player, a state and national representative centre who made 57 appearances for the Wallabies, played in 19 Test matches and captained the national side on three occasions in 1937.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Burke (rugby union, born 1973)</span> Rugby player

Matthew Coleman Burke is an Australian former international rugby union player and sport presenter on Sydney's 10 News First.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Campese</span> Australian rugby union player

David Ian Campese, AM, also known as Campo, is a former Australian rugby union player (1982–1996), who was capped by the Wallabies 101 times, and played 85 Tests at wing and 16 at fullback.

Michael Patrick Thomas Lynagh, is an Australian former rugby union player who played mainly as a fly-half. Lynagh represented Australia from 1984 to 1995, playing at both inside centre and fly half. Lynagh was capped 72 times for Australia, and was captain from 1993 to 1995. He was the world points scoring record holder when he retired, with 911 points.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simon Poidevin</span> Rugby player

Simon Paul Poidevin is a former Australian rugby union player. Poidevin made his Test debut for Australia against Fiji during the 1980 tour of Fiji. He was a member of the Wallabies side that defeated New Zealand 2–1 in the 1980 Bledisloe Cup series. He toured with the Eighth Wallabies for the 1984 Australia rugby union tour of Britain and Ireland that won rugby union's "grand slam", the first Australian side to defeat all four home nations, England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland, on a tour. He debuted as captain of the Wallabies in a two-Test series against Argentina in 1986, substituting for the absent Andrew Slack. He was a member of the Wallabies on the 1986 Australia rugby union tour of New Zealand that beat the All Blacks, one of six international teams and second Australian team to win a Test series in New Zealand. During the 1987 Rugby World Cup, he overtook Peter Johnson as Australia's most capped Test player against Japan, captaining the Wallabies for the third time in his 43rd cap. He captained the Wallabies on a fourth and final occasion on the 1987 Australia rugby union tour of Argentina before injury ended his tour prematurely. In 1988, he briefly retired from international rugby, reversing his decision 42 days later ahead of the 1988 Bledisloe Cup series. Following this series, Poidevin returned to the Australian side for the single 1989 Bledisloe Cup Test. He returned full-time to the Australian national squad for the 1991 season. Poidevin was a member of the Wallabies that won the 1991 Rugby World Cup, after which he retired from international rugby union.

Nicholas Campbell Farr-Jones AM is a former Australian rugby union footballer. His position was scrum-half. Farr-Jones debuted for the Australia national rugby union team during the 1984 Australia rugby union tour of Britain and Ireland, during which the Australia won the grand slam of rugby union when they defeated all four Home Nations. He was voted "Player of the Series" for the 1986 Australia rugby union tour of New Zealand, during which Australia became the sixth team in history to win a rugby Test series in New Zealand. He was appointed captain of the Wallabies prior to the commencement of their 1988 international season. He is probably best remembered for captaining Australia to their the 1991 Rugby World Cup. Farr-Jones retired as captain of Australia after a victory against South Africa in 1992 and temporarily ceased playing international rugby. He came out of retirement in 1993 for the single Bledisloe Cup Test and a three-Test home series against South Africa, following which he retired from international rugby. He now works at Taurus Funds Management, appears as a TV rugby commentator on UK Sky Sports and is the chairman of the New South Wales Rugby Union.

Kenneth William Catchpole was an Australian rugby union footballer. A state and national representative half-back, he played twenty-seven matches for Australia, thirteen as captain. Catchpole rose through the ranks at the Randwick club as a young man, before making his debut for New South Wales at only 19 years of age, then captaining Australia at age 21. He is considered one of Australia's greatest rugby scrumhalves.

Alexander Douglas McLean Jr. was an Australian rugby union and rugby league player, a dual-code rugby international.

Brendan Moon is an Australian former rugby union wing who played for the Queensland Reds in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Moon played 100 games for Queensland and also played in the premiership winning Brothers Old Boys team of 1978, 1980–1983, Brendan also represented Australia in 35 tests and was considered one of the best finishing wingers in the game with excellent positional play and terrific acceleration.

Andrew Gerard Slack is an Australian former state and national representative rugby union player who captained the Wallabies in 19 Test matches in between 1984 and 1987. His 133 appearances for Queensland between 1975 and 1987 stood as the state record until bettered by Mark Connors in 2006.

The 1984 Australia rugby union tour of Britain and Ireland was a series of eighteen matches played by the Australia national rugby union team in Britain and Ireland between 17 October and 15 December 1984. The Australian team won thirteen matches, drew one and lost four but notably won all four of their international matches.

Colin "Col" Windon, was a rugby union player and soldier who captained Australia – the Wallabies – in two Test matches in 1951. By age 18 Windon was playing at flanker for his club Randwick in Sydney's Shute Shield. After serving with the Second Australian Imperial Force in the Pacific Theatre during the Second World War, Windon resumed his rugby career in 1946. He was first selected for Australia for their tour of New Zealand that year. Despite the Wallabies losing both their Tests on tour, Windon impressed with his play.

Steve Williams is an Australian former state and national representative rugby union player who captained the Wallabies in five Test matches in 1985.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Shaw (rugby union)</span> Rugby player

Anthony Alexander Shaw is an Australian former rugby union player. A Queensland state and national representative flanker, Shaw captained the national side consistently from 1978 to 1982.

The 1981–82 Australia rugby union tour of Britain and Ireland was a series of matches played by the Australia national rugby union team. The touring team played twenty-three matches between October 1981 and January 1982, winning sixteen games, drawing one and losing six. The scheduled final game, against the Barbarians, was cancelled due to heavy snow.

The 1982 Australia rugby union tour of New Zealand was a series of fourteen matches played by the Australia national rugby union team in New Zealand between July and September 1982. The Wallabies won ten of the fourteen matches and lost the other four. The international match series against the New Zealand national rugby union team resulted in a 2–1 win for New Zealand, who won the first and third matches, with Australia winning the second match. New Zealand thereby regained the Bledisloe Cup, which had been held by Australia since 1979.

Paul Edward McLean, MBE is an Australian former rugby union player. He played rugby for Queensland and Australia in the 1970s and 1980s, He is a former president of the Queensland Rugby Union, Australian Rugby Union, and an inductee into the Australian Rugby Union Hall of Fame. From 2009 to 2015 he was Chief Executive Officer for Savills, overseeing the Australasian operations of the multinational real estate services provider.

The 2013 Australia national rugby union team tour of Great Britain, Ireland and Italy was a rugby union tour between the away team Australia and the homes teams of England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. They also played an additional Test match against New Zealand, which acted as the third and final Bledisloe Cup match for 2013.

Roger Gould is a former rugby union player who played fullback for both the Australian Wallabies and the Queensland Reds. He first played for Queensland in 1978 and for Australia in 1980. His last match for Australia was in the 1987 World Cup. Although Gould's career was cut short due to injury, he is widely considered one of the greatest fullbacks to ever play for Australia.

References

Preceded by Australia rugby union captains
1982–1984		Succeeded by
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.