Andrew Slack
Encyclopedia
Andrew Gerard Slack is an Australia
n 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.
He made 87 total appearances for Australia between 1978 and 1987 earning 39 Test caps. He scored t10 tries and captained Australia on 34 occasions in total. He was the tour captain for the Wallabies' 1984 tour
Grand Slam
feat.
, Coorparoo, Queensland
. He played his club rugby with Brisbane Souths
and made his Queensland state
debut against a Combined Services side, as a five-eighth at age 19 in 1975 before switching to centre for the rest of his stellar career.
which the Wallabies won 2-nil under Tony Shaw
.
Slack is remembered as a key factor in the Wallabies' ascendancy to world class status, eventually guiding them to a Bledisloe Cup, a Grand Slam and a World Cup semi-final. Though a fine player in his own right, Andrew's main strengths were his tactical acumen and the ability to get the most out of his teammates. These qualities made him a superb captain when he was eventually given the honour in 1984 and he would eventually lead Australia to 14 victories in 19 matches. His international debut came in Australia's 2-0 victory over Wales in 1978, a series even more violent and acrimonious than England's visit three years earlier. Australia were somewhat fortunate to win the second test when a Paul McClean drop goal was awarded despite sailing wide of the posts, but Andrew enjoyed the winning feeling all the same. "There was controversy aplenty but after my first series it was two to us and nil to the others!". Wales were in the midst of a period when they were dominating European rugby and this test series win was notable in establishing the Wallabies
credentials as a test side.
A year later he featured in one of Australia's finest hours - a 12-6 victory over New Zealand in Sydney, but then missed the following two international seasons. He returned for the 81/82 tour to the UK where Australia's gifted side lost three out of their four test matches, but Andrew was able to register his first two tries against Wales and Scotland respectively. The same year Australia had an unsuccessful defence of the Bledisloe Cup
but performed creditably in the 2-1 series loss.
In 1984 Andrew Slack was given the captaincy of Australia when coach Alan Jones
' original choice of Mark Ella
was vetoed by the selectors. The decision turned out to be a good one and Andrew led the Wallabies to a momentous Grand Slam
against the Home Nations on the autumn tour of the UK. The Wallabies were well received everywhere apart from Wales where Andrew was spat upon by Llanelli fans when Australia played at Stradey Park
. Australia later responded in the most effective way possible by pulverising Wales 28-9 in the subsequent test match which included an unprecedented pushover try by Steve Tuynman
. 'The Slam' was sealed with victory over Scotland at Murrayfield during which Andrew confounded critics who said that he couldn't pass the ball by hurling a superb long ball for David Campese
to score his first try. After the game Andrew conceded that the emotion overcame him: "I got up to make a speech at happy hour and I've always been one to wear my heart on my sleeve. Yeah, the odd tear flowed."
He temporarily retired from the international game in 1985 but returned the year after to lead Australia to an even greater achievement than the Grand Slam - a series win on New Zealand soil, which put any doubt to rest over the Wallabies
claims to being a world power. That year Australia also defeated France in Sydney
, a forward performance which Andrew rated as better than the victories over New Zealand in 1979 and Wales in 1984. Sadly, Andrew's career ended on a low note when Australia were beaten in the World Cup semi-final against France, and his last game came in the 3/4 play off defeat by Wales.
before he quit that role became the first backline player in 30 years to coach the Queensland Reds
when he was appointed to the position in 2003. He only stayed in the position a season before quitting as coach after the unsuccessful season in which the team finished 8th in the Super 12.
In his playing days, rugby was an amateur game and his professional career started out as school teacher but since the end of his rugby career, he's become the current head of Sport at QTQ News in Brisbane
and works as a motivational speaker.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n former state and national representative
Australia national rugby union team
The Australian national rugby union team is the representative side of Australia in rugby union. The national team is nicknamed the Wallabies and competes annually with New Zealand and South Africa in the Tri-Nations Series, in which they also contest the Bledisloe Cup with New Zealand and the...
rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
player who captained the Wallabies
Australia national rugby union team
The Australian national rugby union team is the representative side of Australia in rugby union. The national team is nicknamed the Wallabies and competes annually with New Zealand and South Africa in the Tri-Nations Series, in which they also contest the Bledisloe Cup with New Zealand and the...
in 19 Test matches in between 1984 and 1987. His 133 appearances for Queensland
Queensland Reds
The Queensland Reds represent Queensland in the sport of rugby union in the Southern Hemisphere Super Rugby competition. Prior to 1996 they were a representative team selected on merit from the rugby union club competitions in Queensland...
between 1975 and 1987 stood as the state record until bettered by Mark Connors
Mark Connors
Mark Connors is an Australian rugby union footballer. He is currently the Queensland Reds most capped player ever, playing 134 games for the side...
in 2006.
He made 87 total appearances for Australia between 1978 and 1987 earning 39 Test caps. He scored t10 tries and captained Australia on 34 occasions in total. He was the tour captain for the Wallabies' 1984 tour
1984 Australia rugby union tour of Britain and Ireland
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...
Grand Slam
Grand Slam (Rugby Union)
In rugby union, a Grand Slam occurs when one team in the Six Nations Championship manages to beat all the others during one year's competition...
feat.
Early rugby
Andrew Slack attended school at Villanova CollegeVillanova College
Villanova College is a private and catholic school for boys located in Coorparoo, a southern suburb of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The school has a non-selective enrolment policy for all years and caters for approximately 1,150 boys in three schools, Junior, Middle and Senior from year five to...
, Coorparoo, Queensland
Coorparoo, Queensland
Coorparoo is a southern suburb of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, located approximately four kilometres from the city. Surrounding suburbs include Camp Hill, Holland Park, Greenslopes, East Brisbane, Norman Park and Seven Hills.-Aboriginal history:...
. He played his club rugby with Brisbane Souths
Souths Rugby
Souths are an Australian rugby union club, based in Brisbane, Queensland. They currently play in the Queensland Premier Rugby club competition...
and made his Queensland state
Queensland Reds
The Queensland Reds represent Queensland in the sport of rugby union in the Southern Hemisphere Super Rugby competition. Prior to 1996 they were a representative team selected on merit from the rugby union club competitions in Queensland...
debut against a Combined Services side, as a five-eighth at age 19 in 1975 before switching to centre for the rest of his stellar career.
Playing career
He debuted for Australia in 1978 in the home series against WalesWales national rugby union team
The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...
which the Wallabies won 2-nil under Tony Shaw
Tony Shaw (rugby)
Anthony Alexander Shaw was born 23 March, 1953 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.Shaw was a rugby flanker who played 36 tests for the wallabies between 1973 and 1982, including some matches as a lock or number eight. He captained the Aussies for 15 of his international matches. He is Australian...
.
Slack is remembered as a key factor in the Wallabies' ascendancy to world class status, eventually guiding them to a Bledisloe Cup, a Grand Slam and a World Cup semi-final. Though a fine player in his own right, Andrew's main strengths were his tactical acumen and the ability to get the most out of his teammates. These qualities made him a superb captain when he was eventually given the honour in 1984 and he would eventually lead Australia to 14 victories in 19 matches. His international debut came in Australia's 2-0 victory over Wales in 1978, a series even more violent and acrimonious than England's visit three years earlier. Australia were somewhat fortunate to win the second test when a Paul McClean drop goal was awarded despite sailing wide of the posts, but Andrew enjoyed the winning feeling all the same. "There was controversy aplenty but after my first series it was two to us and nil to the others!". Wales were in the midst of a period when they were dominating European rugby and this test series win was notable in establishing the Wallabies
Australia national rugby union team
The Australian national rugby union team is the representative side of Australia in rugby union. The national team is nicknamed the Wallabies and competes annually with New Zealand and South Africa in the Tri-Nations Series, in which they also contest the Bledisloe Cup with New Zealand and the...
credentials as a test side.
A year later he featured in one of Australia's finest hours - a 12-6 victory over New Zealand in Sydney, but then missed the following two international seasons. He returned for the 81/82 tour to the UK where Australia's gifted side lost three out of their four test matches, but Andrew was able to register his first two tries against Wales and Scotland respectively. The same year Australia had an unsuccessful defence of the Bledisloe Cup
Bledisloe Cup
Rugby Union's Bledisloe Cup is contested by the Australia national rugby union team and New Zealand national rugby union team. It is named after Lord Bledisloe, the former Governor-General of New Zealand who donated the trophy in 1931. The trophy was designed in New Zealand by Nelson Isaac, and...
but performed creditably in the 2-1 series loss.
In 1984 Andrew Slack was given the captaincy of Australia when coach Alan Jones
Alan Jones (radio broadcaster)
Alan Belford Jones AO is an Australian radio broadcaster, former rugby union and rugby league coach and administrator.Jones hosts Sydney's most popular breakfast radio program, on radio station 2GB...
' original choice of Mark Ella
Mark Ella
Mark Gordon Ella is an Indigenous Australian former rugby union player, often considered as one of his country's all-time greats in that sport. In a relatively short career , Mark Ella established himself as one of the all-time greats in world rugby union...
was vetoed by the selectors. The decision turned out to be a good one and Andrew led the Wallabies to a momentous Grand Slam
Grand Slam (Rugby Union)
In rugby union, a Grand Slam occurs when one team in the Six Nations Championship manages to beat all the others during one year's competition...
against the Home Nations on the autumn tour of the UK. The Wallabies were well received everywhere apart from Wales where Andrew was spat upon by Llanelli fans when Australia played at Stradey Park
Stradey Park
Stradey Park was a rugby union stadium located near the centre of the town of Llanelli in Carmarthenshire, Wales. It was the home of the Scarlets region and Llanelli RFC rugby teams. The stadium was a combination of seating and standing with a total capacity of 10,800...
. Australia later responded in the most effective way possible by pulverising Wales 28-9 in the subsequent test match which included an unprecedented pushover try by Steve Tuynman
Steve Tuynman
Steve Tuynman , is a former Australian rugby union player. He played in 34 tests for the Wallabies between 1983 and 1990.-References:...
. 'The Slam' was sealed with victory over Scotland at Murrayfield during which Andrew confounded critics who said that he couldn't pass the ball by hurling a superb long ball for David Campese
David Campese
David Ian Campese , also known as Campo, is a former Australian rugby union player. Campese was capped by the Wallabies 101 times, and held the world record for the most tries in test matches until Daisuke Ohata scored his 65th try playing for Japan on 14 May 2006...
to score his first try. After the game Andrew conceded that the emotion overcame him: "I got up to make a speech at happy hour and I've always been one to wear my heart on my sleeve. Yeah, the odd tear flowed."
He temporarily retired from the international game in 1985 but returned the year after to lead Australia to an even greater achievement than the Grand Slam - a series win on New Zealand soil, which put any doubt to rest over the Wallabies
Australia national rugby union team
The Australian national rugby union team is the representative side of Australia in rugby union. The national team is nicknamed the Wallabies and competes annually with New Zealand and South Africa in the Tri-Nations Series, in which they also contest the Bledisloe Cup with New Zealand and the...
claims to being a world power. That year Australia also defeated France in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, a forward performance which Andrew rated as better than the victories over New Zealand in 1979 and Wales in 1984. Sadly, Andrew's career ended on a low note when Australia were beaten in the World Cup semi-final against France, and his last game came in the 3/4 play off defeat by Wales.
After Rugby
He spent three years as a national selector for the WallabiesAustralia national rugby union team
The Australian national rugby union team is the representative side of Australia in rugby union. The national team is nicknamed the Wallabies and competes annually with New Zealand and South Africa in the Tri-Nations Series, in which they also contest the Bledisloe Cup with New Zealand and the...
before he quit that role became the first backline player in 30 years to coach the Queensland Reds
Queensland Reds
The Queensland Reds represent Queensland in the sport of rugby union in the Southern Hemisphere Super Rugby competition. Prior to 1996 they were a representative team selected on merit from the rugby union club competitions in Queensland...
when he was appointed to the position in 2003. He only stayed in the position a season before quitting as coach after the unsuccessful season in which the team finished 8th in the Super 12.
In his playing days, rugby was an amateur game and his professional career started out as school teacher but since the end of his rugby career, he's become the current head of Sport at QTQ News in Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
and works as a motivational speaker.