Brisbane Grammar School’s greatest First XV rugby union team through the eyes of GPS sport doyen Ron Cochrane
Brisbane Grammar School’s greatest First XV rugby team would include a lineout better than the legendary Queenslander John Eales while Grammar also had a future Wallaby captain in its midst. So says the doyen of GPS and BGS sport, Ron Cochrane.
Local sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Brisbane Grammar School is unsurpassed in the history of GPS rugby when it comes to Wallabies and Australian schoolboy captains.
Peering at its vast, vast honour board of talent, it is almost impossible to come up with a First XV without leaving a player of almost equal ability out.
But as momentum builds to the start of the GPS rugby premiership competition on August 8, Andrew Dawson names 15 and asks Ron Cochrane, the doyen of GPS and Brisbane Grammar School, to comment on each name put before him.
RELATED LINKS
GPS rugby 2020: How Churchie are looking
GPS rugby 2020: Nudgee College preview
GPS rugby 2020: Brisbane Grammar School
GPS rugby 2020: Brisbane State High School
GRAHAM NOON
FULLBACK
“If there was not a Roger Gould or a Paul McLean, two out and out champions, Graham Noon would have been the Queensland fullback,’’ Cochrane said. “He was so good, Alan Jones (former Wallaby and Grammar coach) said to him after he retired “if you comeback and play I will take you on the 1984 Wallaby tour’’.
WING
MAL SCOTT
“He played Australian schoolboys in 1981 who was a champion athlete who unfortunately left rugby to play rugby league at Easts. He had the lot, was elusive yet a lot of people would not know of him. I asked Alec (Evans, Grammar great) about him the other day and he recalled how good he was.’’
DICK MARKS
CENTRE
“He was a fierce defender, elusive runner with a great passing game. He was the class No. 13, good on his feet and it was he and Alec Evans who got Australian rugby back on track. And he is up there with the great rugby minds of the country,’’ Cochrane said.
GREG MARTIN
CENTRE
“Greg is one of our great all around sportsmen. He played 12 in the First XI and although he played fullback for the Wallabies, he was an outstanding No. 12 who simply had to make this side,’’ Cochrane said.
GORDON McGHIE
WING
“Gordon played three Tests – all against the Lions and the All Blacks. If you go out to the Brisbane Grammar School playing fields, inside is an honour board named in his honour,’’ Cochrane explained.
TOM LAWTON (senior)
FLY-HALF
“He was the (Sir Donald) Bradman of rugby. He captained the Wallabies, was a Rhodes scholar who was revered,’’ Cochrane said.
GUYS SANDERS
HALFBACK
“He had a wonderful pass and was robust. He was absolutely outstanding,’’ Cochrane summed up.
ALEC EVANS
No. 8
“He is the godfather of Queensland rugby. Alec captained Brisbane Grammar School to win its first premiership, he coached premiership sides, he has been a Queensland and Australian coach,’’ Cochrane said.
CHILLA WILSON
FLANKER
“Chilla is rugby,’’ Cochrane said. “He captained the Wallabies to beat the All Blacks, he managed the Grand Slam Wallabies in 1984 and is just a legend of the game.’’
JULIAN GARDNER
FLANKER
“A dual international for the Wallabies and Italy, Julian is like Michael Jones, the great All Blacks’ No. 7 in that when he had the ball he created space for other,’’ Cochrane explained. “He was ahead of his time. I coached him in the First XV cricket team as well and fee he could bat. A wonderful career.’’
TOM MURDAY
LOCK
“Tom is what Australian rugby is all about. He is a boy that came down from Port Douglas, learnt how to play rugby who had a game for Queensland who then played for Auckland in the NPC and then had his amazing career in France. Very highly regarded and a great lineout jumper,’’ Cochrane praised.
MITCHELL CHAPMAN
LOCK
“The most skilful forward I have seen as a schoolboy, even better than (John) Eales as a schoolboy. As Alec Evans said, at his top he was probably the best lineout exponent in world rugby, and I know that is a big wrap. His control of the lineout, what to call and his jumping – he was unbelievable. He sat on the bench in a Test against Ireland but never got a Test cap that he deserved,’’ Cochrane praised
ANDY McINTYRE
TIGHTHEAD
“Tight-head on the Grand Slam tour of 84, tight-head against the All Blacks in 85 – he was everything you wanted in a tight head. Simply the best who was named in Queensland’s team of the century. What more can you say,’’ enthused Cochrane.
STEPHEN MOORE
HOOKER
“His record speaks for itself. 129 Tests, captain of the Wallabies in a World Cup final, more Super rugby games than anyone else, and second most capped Wallaby of all-time. And an outstanding person,’’ Cochrane said.
CAMERON LILLICRAP
LOOSEHEAD
“The Prince of Props is what Rod McCall (Reds great) called him. He was without peer,’’ Cochrane said.
RESERVES
Bill Ross
“Fantastic player from Brisbane Grammar who played 13 Tests which was a lot in those days. Great striker of the ball in scrums and fine player around the field,’’ Cochrane recalled.
BRUCE DAVIES
“Australian schoolboys prop, a Queensland representative who was technically superb. I have nothing but the highest of praise,’’ Cochrane said.
GLEN HAUFF
“Australian schoolboy captain who opposed the great Jonah Lomu when he was a flanker. The best defensive and offensive No. 2 jumper I have seen,’’ Cochrane said.
FRASER McREIGHT
“Yet another Australian schoolboys captain who will be our next Wallaby. And I will give you the tip – he will be a Wallaby captain. Has great skills and runs hard,’’ Cochrane predicted.
ARCH WINNING
“Arch played one Test and was a great leader of men. A legend.’’
ROSS FINNIMORE
“An old boy of the ‘50s who would have been seriously considered for the halfback position in this side,’’ Cochrane said.
SAM GREENE
A great goal-kicker, he should have been the Reds five-eight but is now eligible to play for Japan. His performance at Ross Oval against Nudgee is best summed up by saying I was with Alec (Evans) we agreed what he did that day was better than what (Michael) Lynagh or (Paul) McLean could have done. He turned the game around with his tactical kicking.
OTTO NOTHLING
“Otto was one of only two Australians to play Test cricket and rugby,’’ Cochrane said. “He was such a brilliant athlete that when he moved to Sydney to study, Sydney Uni were looking for someone to throw the javelin and with his second throw he broke the Australian record.’’
PETER JAMES
“A writer and author, Peter James was a brilliant athlete all-rounder who penned the book 100 Years of Grammar Rugby.’’
JACK CORNELSEN
Like his father Greg, Jack was a backrower who toured Japan with the Australian schoolboys in 2012. He is the classic modern day backrower, super in the lineouts with a capacity to run with the ball. Very athletic.’’