Hard men of australian rugby

[Spewn]

Some good names already, but at a time when the forward pack wasn't aiming up, I liked David Codey's work.

 

[Zeno]

"I don't think that he [Finnane] set out to do the damage he did, he was just trying to intimidate me. "

Right there is one of the measures of a hard man: he can speak with consideration about an opponent who did him a serious injury via foul play.

 

[Nusadan]

Gary Pearse

 

[Bradley]

Re the phantom puncher, I will always remember picking up the Daily Mirror as it was known then and there on the back page was a headline to the effect; REVEALED: PHANTOM PUNCHER with a photo of Steve Finnane with a mask on.

 

[Ruggo]

Stirling Mortlock. Brutally punishing player but also one of the cleanest players in the game. Illi Tabua is also another hard man of Australian rugby.

Hard men that would spill blood for their team at will = Waugh and Crofty.

 

[Cutter]

We are in agreement, Cutter, other than on two points. The first is whether the breaking of Graham Price's jaw - which I assume is what you are referring to - was the result of a king hit. The second is a correction. Finnane never played against the Lions.

Until the mid-1970s home nation teams would routinely bash Australian forwards who were usually too intimidated to respond in kind. This all changed when Dave Brockhoff took over as national coach. Brock's philosophy was that "games are won up front" and he openly stated that "backs are only there to make up the numbers." He implemented the 'Step Forward' policy which required that his pack never take a backward step, and fight fire with fire, preferably by getting in first. Thus it might legitimately be said that Steve Finnane was a Brockhoff creation.

The Graham Price incident occurred in a 1978 Test against Wales and there is general agreement that it was a punch from behind against an unsuspecting opponent, the classic form of the 'king hit'. This is Price's take on it, 27 years later:

"It was very early in the game, before we'd really got warmed up, and I got caught by the shot.

"I don't think that he [Finnane] set out to do the damage he did, he was just trying to intimidate me.

"But he caught me coming out of a scrum with my jaw at its most vulnerable - open and gasping for air - and the photos obviously went around the world."

The fact that it was the Australian press that dubbed him "the phantom puncher of Sydney" plus the fact that he was renowned throughout Sydney rugby as a stun puncher in similar circumstances also lend weight to the claim that he can legitimately be remembered as an exponent of the king hit.

You are, of course, right about it being Wales. I also concede your knowledge is far greater than mine in this era Bruce. However, I do recall that the Wallabies did need to stand up for themselves at the time. I've met Steve Finnane; nice chap.

 

[skullring]

Currently: Beau Robinson

 

[Bruce Ross]

You are, of course, right about it being Wales. I also concede your knowledge is far greater than mine in this era Bruce. However, I do recall that the Wallabies did need to stand up for themselves at the time. I've met Steve Finnane; nice chap.

In fairness, Cutter, I also should acknowledge that the contempt that was generally felt for the "king hit merchant" up until the past half century basically related to the environment of the pub rather than the football field. There was a code or convention relating to pub or street fighting which required that both participants be ready before hostilities commenced; fists only to be used; no low blows; etc.

By contrast violence on the football field had to be conducted surreptitiously for obvious reasons, and opportunities only rarely presented themselves, so speed of attack was of the essence. And in Dave Brockhoff's Wallaby teams not only was violence condoned but the coach's pre-game addresses - in so far as they could be understood - were calculated to send players out on the field ready to commit mayhem.

 

[spectator]

To me hard men are those who have little respect for self preservation and those who others look over their shoulder for. Jerry Collins typified the hard man in my books.

As far as Auusies go:

Chris Roche - played well above his weight all the time.

Of the current crop:

Rebels - Early days for Saffy but he looks like one. Despite being a looney Byrnes is as well, Mortlock qualifies as well.

Tah's - Waugh, TPN

Force - McCalman, but the whole backrow probably qualifies.

Brumbies - Have to think about that one. Maybe Moore?

Reds - Robinson (similar to Roche and Waugh), Digby - no regard for his own well being.

 

[topo]

And in Dave Brockhoff's Wallaby teams not only was violence condoned but the coach's pre-game addresses - in so far as they could be understood - were calculated to send players out on the field ready to commit mayhem.

Gold, Bruce.

 

[topo]

Dave Carter.
They still talk about a game in Tamworth in the 80s when NSW Country was playing the All Blacks. Carter was a one man wrecking ball and even the ABs, including noted hard man Mark "cowboy" Shaw were impressed. He was picked for the Wallabies soon after.

 

[sevenpointdropgoal]

Owen Finegan and Matt Cockbain could usually be counted on for a bit of cut and thrust, and going back to the pre-professional era, Tony Shaw was well known for the liberal amount of punishment he could both absorb and hand out.

 

[lincoln]

Tim Bristow

 

[whatty]

wow allmost three pages did not imagine this thread would get that long

 

[TheTruth]

wow allmost three pages did not imagine this thread would get that long

fuuny

 

[Parra GM]

Sir Nick Shehadie

Poido - back when there were no subs no amount of punishment would get him off the field

Willie O - If there was ever an Oz player who was a feared defender who oppoenents would avoid it was Pastor Willie

Second the nomination of Phil Waugh & add David Croft to that if only for that epic battle between the two. Second also Nathan "Psycho" Grey.

Poido was tough, no question and a boyhood idol of mine. But I saw Matt Campton from Parra belt the crap out of him for entire half of footy at Granville one day. After 1/2 time, no Poido.

Others from clubland

Peter Kay was also a tough man. Tim Cahalane and Tiny Melrose from the Parra halcyon days of mid 80s also.
Steve Williams from Manly was a tough unit.
Steve Lidbury from Warringah was made of concrete.
Steve Temple (RIP) was also another tough cookie. He used to say he'd never won a fight...............but he never lost one either!
Former internationals

Tim Gavin was a tough bugger
Mark 'Cowboy' Shaw
Murray Pierce
Buck Shelford - had his balls rucked in France, came off at 1/2 time to get stitched up, and finished the game
Eric Champ from France (though was partial to the cheap shot)
Federico Mendez of Argentina (who will ever forget when an 18 year old 5 foot 9 Mendez knocked Paul Ackford (who stood 6 foot 9) out cold. Albeit another cheap shot. Mendez proved himself to be a tough unit over a long career
Gregg Sommerville and Carl Hayman also tough units
Ian Milne of Scotland
to name a few

 

[roo]

Owen Finnigen
Phil Waugh
Sharpie
Crofty
Brendon Cannon
Georgie Smith. .............. Hard men

 

[cyclopath]

Owen Finnigen
Phil Waugh
Sharpie
Crofty
Brendon Cannon
Georgie Smith. .............. Hard men

Owen Finnigan??? Crafty, niggly but I'm not sure how "hard". I seem to remember him copping an absolute pizzling in a stoush once.

 

[Johnny Blaze]

Simon Poidevin, Willie Ofahengaue and Nathan Grey. Hard tough and no frills type players.

 

[Gnostic]

I think we can agree that none of the Waratahs forwards who took the field tonight can lay claim to the tag no matter they do from here. They couldn't stand up to the Ladies College 2nd 10 Netball side.