NRL 2024: Australia’s oldest living Kangaroo, Dick Poole, rates Nathan Cleary as best halfback in 60 years

Australia’s oldest living Kangaroo, Dick Poole, has watched, coached and played in more than 3,000 first grade games, and he has strong opinions regarding Penrith champion Nathan Cleary.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 06: Nathan Cleary of the Panthers reacts during the 2024 NRL Grand Final match between the Melbourne Storm and the Penrith Panthers at Accor Stadium on October 06, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Australia’s oldest living Kangaroo, Dick Poole, has rated Penrith’s Nathan Cleary the best halfback in 60 years after watching, coaching and playing in more than 3,000 first grade games.

“He is comparable to (St George legend) Billy Smith,” Poole said.

Poole, Australia’s World Cup-winning captain-coach in 1957, is about to blow out another candle lit by what feels like an eternal flame.

On Wednesday, Poole will celebrate his 94th birthday with family and friends at his Ashfield aged care home. His wife, Judith, is in the same facility on the same floor.

“Ninety-four – not many make it,” Poole said. “My health is good.”

Told he was Australia’s oldest living Kangaroo, Poole said: “Is that right? Amazing. I’m lucky to still be alive.”

Herbert Poole, more well known as Dick Poole, the oldest living Australian Kangaroos rugby league player, is turning 94. Picture: Rohan Kelly

He has a framed photo hanging on his room wall of Australian players Kel O’Shea, Ken McCaffery, Norm Provan and Brian ‘Poppa’ Clay cheering him from the SCG after the ’57 World Cup triumph.

Poole was born back in 1930 when James Scullin was Prime Minister, Thomas Bavin was NSW Premier, Harry Hopman and Jack Crawford won the Australian doubles championships at Kooyong, Don Bradman scored 452 not out in a Test match innings, Western Suburbs won the NSWRL premiership and Phar Lap saluted in the Melbourne Cup.

While he has a remarkable memory for past players and games, Poole also marvels at the current day NRL. And one player stands out.

“The halfback from Penrith – Cleary, that’s him,” Poole said. “He’s a team man and knows when to pass, when to kick it and when to run it.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 06: Nathan Cleary of the Panthers reacts during the 2024 NRL Grand Final match between the Melbourne Storm and the Penrith Panthers at Accor Stadium on October 06, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

“He is very clever and is comparable to Billy Smith. I’d say so (Cleary is the best player of the modern era). He is tough.

“I watch some games these days but I go to bed early. I can only watch until 6pm. I watch the Sunday game at 4pm. I have watched rugby league right through. The game today is different but still good. The players are the game and they honour the game.”

Poole, who signed his first contract with Newtown in 1950 for just six pounds, also spoke highly of Eels halfback Mitch Moses.

“That fella from Parramatta is also good,” Poole said. “What’s his name? Moses, very good. He runs hard.”

Dick Poole playing for Newtown.

Five-eighth Bob Banks was the oldest living Kangaroo at 94 but he died in July this year. Poole is two years older than the second oldest living Australian player, Harry Wells, who lives in Port Macquarie.

Poole was a surprise choice as Australia’s captain-coach – ahead of St George’s Ken Kearney – for the 1957 World Cup, the first held in Australia. The Australian side under Poole included Wells, Brian Carlson, Keith Barnes and Keith Holman.

With Poole leading from centre, Australia won all three games to claim the title.

“I was captain-coach of Australia – there’s nothing better than playing for Australia. It was a great honour. We won (the tournament) easily,” he said. “We loved each other’s company – that’s how we won. I ran hard and always looked for support.”

Poole made his Australia debut against France in 1955. He played three Tests against New Zealand the following year before inclusion in the 1956-57 Kangaroo tour of England and France, where he played in six Tests matches.

Online sites have Poole playing 13 Tests for Australia.

He quickly corrects the misinformation by promptly declaring: “I played 15 Tests for Australia – and 21 state games for NSW.”

Asked to nominate his greatest player, Poole said: “Strewth? Harry Wells I suppose.”

Born Herbert Richard Poole, he played 115 first grade games for Newton between 1950 and 1958 – his last four as captain-coach – before spending two seasons at Wests where he posted another 31 top-level matches.

He finished with 146 NSWRL games, which included 59 first grade tries and 177 points. An Earlwood junior, Poole captained-coached Newtown in a one-point loss to Souths in the 1955 grand final.

“I remember that grand final every day,” Poole said. “We were very unlucky.”

Poole returned to Newtown as head coach between 1966 and 1968 and was later named in the Jets’ team of the century. He was also captain-coach of NSW.