Ken Catchpole, rugby halfback and Wallabies legend, dead at 78

Former Wallabies captain Ken Catchpole, regarded as one of the greatest halfbacks in the history of the game, has died at 78.

Ken Catchpole goes to pass during a Test match against England at Twickenham in 1967.

Former Wallabies captain Ken Catchpole, regarded as one of the greatest halfbacks in the history of the game, has died at the age of 78 after a long battle with illness.

A state and national representative halfback, Catchpole played 27 Tests for Australia, 13 as captain.

He came through the ranks in Sydney at the famous Randwick club and was picked as captain for his Wallabies debut in 1961 at the age of 21. He formed a lethal halves combination with five-eighth Phil Hawthorne that was acknowledged as one of the best the game has seen.

In 1968 Catchpole suffered a career-ending injury when Colin “Pinetree” Meads wishboned his legs while he was pinned under other players in a ruck.

Catchpole tore his hamstring off the bone and severely ruptured his groin, ending his playing career at just 28.

Catchpole in more recent times.

He was one of five inaugural inductees into the Australian rugby hall of fame in 2005 and the world rugby hall of fame in 2013.

He was also inducted into the sports Australia hall of fame in 1986.

The Ken Catchpole medal is awarded to the player of the year in Sydney’s Shute Shield competition.

His death comes just days after the passing of Queensland rugby great Stan Pilecki.

Catchpole’s passing ability was a strength of his game.