John Edward Thornett MBE 30 March 1935 – 4 January 2019

Tribute to an esteemed Rugby Life Member of The Rugby Club Foundation

John Edward Thornett (nicknamed “Thorn”) is considered to be one of the greats of Australian Rugby because of his immense influence on the game. Widely lauded as Australia’s most successful and respected Rugby captain, he was regarded as a gentle, noble man, with a remarkable sense of ethics and a shrewd football brain. He is unique among Australian sporting identities for the intensity of his belief in amateurism. He brought to Australian Rugby personal attributes of honour and priceless stability at the top level of the game and, under his exceptional leadership, Australian Rugby made its greatest advances in crowd support and numbers playing the game.

Revered as a Rugby hero whose influence on the sport has been likened to Don Bradman and the game of cricket, John Thornett passed away at Batemans Bay on 4 January 2019, with his wife, Vivienne, by his side.

John Thornett (centre), former Wallabies rugby captain, who played for Australia from 1955 to 1967. [Photo supplied: Theo Clark Media]

Early life and sporting achievements

John Thornett was born in Sydney on 30 March 1935, and was educated at Sydney Boys High School, graduating in 1951. He was School Captain, a champion swimmer, rowed in the 1st VIII, and captained the Rugby 1st XV. His brothers Dick and Ken were also champion sportsmen and all three brothers played water polo for the Bronte Water Polo Club. John represented New South Wales at water polo in the mid to late 1950s while Dick went on to represent Australia at the Olympics in water polo. Dick was a triple-international, also representing Australia in both rugby codes while Ken represented at the international level of rugby league.

Academic achievements and career path

A brilliant scholar, John was dux of Sydney Boys High School. His tertiary education encompassed the degrees of Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering and Master of Architecture and Building Sciences.

Although John pursued a successful career in engineering his real passion was agriculture. He moved on to the land to farm at Cowra for a number of years. Sadly, his deteriorating physical health made his farming activities virtually impossible to pursue and he eventually settled at Broulee on the far south coast of New South Wales.

Rugby career

John Thornett played 37 Test Matches for Australia between 1955 and 1967 and made at least an additional 77 representative match appearances. He captained the Wallabies in 16 Test matches, and he went on eight overseas Rugby tours with the Wallabies and on four of those (1962,1963,1964 and 1967) he was the squad and Test leader. Overall, he captained his country in 16 Tests and 47 other matches. He was at that time just the second player (behind Sir Nicholas Shehadie) to play 100 matches for Australia.

Playing lock, flanker and on both sides of the scrum as a prop, John carved his reputation as one of the most versatile forwards in Australian Rugby history. He started out as a flanker against the All Blacks in Wellington in 1955, before graduating after 15 Tests to the second-row against Fiji in 1961 and then entering the final phase of his international career as a front-rower against the Springboks in his 27th Test.

Teammate Dick Marks has no hesitation in praising John as one of the finest captains in Australian Rugby, when stating “His outstanding quality was leadership and he was a total gentleman” and “He epitomised all the good things in Rugby.”

“He started out as a very mobile flanker and ended up as one of the world’s slowest props,” quipped Marks. “But his leadership and Rugby nous made him an indispensable selection for Australia.”

John Thornett made his 37th and last Test appearance against France at Stade Colombes in Paris in February 1967.

John played first grade Club Rugby during 14 seasons with both Sydney University and the Northern Suburbs Rugby Club.

He made his debut for Sydney University as an 18-year-old engineering undergraduate in 1953 and went on to play 70 First Grade and eight lower grade matches over the next five seasons. Initially a centre when he first played with the Students, his increased weight forced him into the forwards.

He won three premierships with the Students in three successive seasons from 1953-1955: in 1953 (defeated Eastern Suburbs 29-6), 1954 (defeated St George 22-17) and 1955 (defeated Gordon 21-8) and he was awarded a Varsity Rugby Blue at Sydney University in 1953.

Continuing to play for Northern Suburbs following his retirement from representative Rugby, John amassed 126 matches and led the club to five grand finals.

Wallabies legend John Thornett, pictured with the Thornett Cup which was named — and played for — in his honour. [Photo: News Corp]

In 1954 John toured with the Australian Universities team to New Zealand. He played his first representative game as a breakaway (now flanker) for New South Wales against Queensland in 1955. That same year he made his representative debut for Australia, touring to New Zealand and playing in all three Tests against the All Blacks for the Wallabies led by John Solomon. The following year he again toured with the Australian Universities side, going to Japan.

In 1956 John appeared for the Waratahs against the visiting Springboks and also played in both Tests for the Wallabies led by Alan Cameron. He played all these matches as a breakaway and impressed with his positional play and ball-handling skills.

In 1957–58, he won selection in the Wallaby team for its eight-month tour of Britain, Ireland, France and North America. He played in four of the five Test Matches during this tour. He was in fact hospitalised with hepatitis upon the team’s arrival in England, but after six weeks in bed and only a week’s training, he surprised team officials by turning out for the match against Combined Services at Twickenham. Despite his spell in hospital, he only missed the international against England.

In 1958 he played two Test matches against the NZ Maoris in Sydney and Melbourne. He made his second tour of New Zealand in 1958, playing two Test matches against the All Blacks, including an unexpected victory in the 2nd Test in Christchurch. He made further Test appearances in 1959 (twice against the British Lions) and in 1962 (twice against Fiji).

John and his brother Dick toured South Africa together in the 1961 team captained by Ken Catchpole, a tour generally considered to have started Australia’s great Rugby revival. John played in both Test matches (both won by the Springboks) and made his debut as Australian captain in a tour match against South-West Africa where a draw was achieved.

In 1961 John played in the one-off Test against France in Sydney.

Australia played five Test matches against the All Blacks in 1962, the first two in Australia, and three in New Zealand. At the commencement of this series, Australian selectors had apparently decided that Ken Catchpole was a better half-back when relieved of captaincy worries. Peter Johnson captained the team in the 1st All Blacks Test in Brisbane, but was replaced by Jim Lenehan in the 2nd Test in Sydney. John played in that Sydney Test.

For the tour of New Zealand, John took over the leadership and held it from August 1962 until his final Test against France in Paris in February 1967. During the 1962 tour of New Zealand John played in all three Tests and in 11 of the total 13 matches. He was viewed as being indestructible and he led from up-front in a manner that roused players who momentarily forgot the team plan; and yet, John apparently thought he was a good captain.

Wilson Whineray, the famous New Zealand captain of the 1950s and 1960s, had the highest respect for John Thornett, and once wrote that he was a model for other captains. “A captain should have a cool head and be settled and stable in his makeup,” said Whineray. “Thornett was a perfect example. He was the best opposing captain I faced. Australian Rugby blows hot and cold, but under Thornett, won a lot of success. He was very knowledgeable, and came from a fine sporting family, a fine forward who could play in two or three positions. He was agreeable, charming, friendly and warm in every way. He was a pleasure to play against.”

From 1963 to 1967 John was entrenched as Australia's leader captaining the Wallabies more times than any player to that point in Australia's Rugby history. By this stage of his career and with his pace slowing, he had moved from flanker to second-row and then settled into the front-row. In 1963 he captained Australia to an 18–9 victory in a one-off Test against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

In 1963, he led the Wallabies on a 24-match tour of South Africa, playing in 16 of the matches including the drawn four Test match series – a highlight of Australia's dour international record during the 1950s and 1960s. The Wallabies became the first team for 67 years to defeat South Africa in two successive Tests. It is said that the long, gruelling tour saw Australian mateship at its best, when players felt a sense of togetherness. Even players with little hope of a Test place were encouraged to pool their knowledge with coach Alan Roper, and reconcile disagreements to bring them closer together. From these discussions the team fashioned practical tactics which gave South African experts an awful shock.

South Africa squared this series 2-all by scoring 16 points in the final Test as hundreds of coloured spectators invaded the field. The referee, Piet Myburgh, angered the Australians with a stream of penalties, but John Thornett settled them. When the team arrived home, he refuted a claim that poor refereeing had cost Australia the game and the series. That was his way. He was always first into rival dressing rooms after a Test, sympathising if they had lost, or congratulating them on their success.

Australian rugby captain John Thornett, Australian Captain, charges, head down, in 1963 in the Test match against South Africa at Ellis Park. [Photo: News Corp]

He played in all eight matches of the 1964 tour to New Zealand, including three Tests. Australia’s momentum faltered when it lost the first two Tests of that tour, but John Thornett and Alan Roper revived them, to pull off a dramatic 20-5 victory in the third Test. The Wallaby forwards checked the All Black pack, providing ball which saw Ken Catchpole at his best, with big John Thornett an inspiration up front.

The third Test victory against the All Blacks inspired the Australian pack for the Tests against South Africa in 1965, when John Thornett led both New South Wales and Australia (twice) to victory over the Springboks. Australia played magnificent football in the Sydney Test, particularly in the forwards, to win a well earned 18-11 victory. Even South African critics praised the Wallabies pack, which destroyed the Springbok forwards, despite an injury to Greg Davis, who hobbled around for an hour. South Africa raced to an 8-0 lead in the Brisbane Test with two classy tries. Behind the line as Tiny Naude converted the second try, John called his players together. “This is not us,” he said. “We’re better that to have this happen”. The realisation that all the work, the seasons of playing together might prove fruitless, somehow lifted the Australians, who hurled themselves into rucks and mauls at the re-start of play, and achieved an amazing 12-8 victory. The second half of the match was scoreless when John rallied his players to a courageous last-ditch defence. With a quiet word here and there, he inspired players close to exhaustion, to make desperate saving tackles, and give Australia its first-ever series win against South Africa. The Australians carried John Thornett shoulder-high from the field when the game ended, a highlight of a great career.

Australian Wallabies Rugby Union captain John Thornett was chaired from the field after Australia’s win over South Africa's Springboks at Lang Park in June, 1965. [Picture: News Corp]

In 1966 he led Australia in two Tests at home against the British Lions, losing 11-8 and 31-0 to a highly efficient British team.

John captained the Wallabies on their 1966-1967 tour of Britain, Ireland and France. A case of impetigo affected his form and he selected himself out of contention for the four Tests against the Home Nations but played in the final Test against the French at Stade Colombes (Paris) before playing a fitting ceremonial farewell match against the Barbarians.

Reputation

Max Howell quotes John Thornett whose writings were published in The World of Rugby (1967), "Above all, rugby is an amateur game played by men who should always stand for the highest standards of sportsmanship. By amateur I do not mean that rugby players are not paid for playing the game. There is far more to being an amateur than the money factor. The amateur spirit to me is a state of mind about how you approach a match in the field".

Bill McLaughlin described John in that same publication, "He is quiet by nature, but a very staunch character with the vision to see beyond Sydney football grounds and take in the overall international picture in rugby. I doubt if he has ever failed to do anything asked of him if he thought it would help rugby – and these demands have been considerable."

Max Howell acclaims John as arguably the greatest captain Australia ever had and describes him thus "His players followed him because they knew he had the experience, and that he was a man of sterling character and high ethics. He was rarely the most brilliant man on the team, but rather the essential cog in the machine. Men followed him into battle because he was solid, dependable, unwavering, a man of undoubted modesty and tangible principles. They all knew he was a fine human being."

Former Wallaby Gary Pearse said the funeral service held for John highlighted his professional achievements while celebrating his personal qualities and love of family and country life.

"It was great today to see his caring, big heart is living well within his family," Gary Pearse said.

"He wasn't a limelight player, but he was the gritty bloke who always supported his teammate to the end, and the way he did it he inspired others to do the same.

"That type of discipline on the field just naturally came off the field and as a person he was one of the nicest blokes you'd ever want to meet."

Gary Pearse also said John distilled the talent and confidence of the era and spirit of the amateur in the 1950s and 60s.

"They went away on extensive tours overseas to represent Australia, but they had to come back and make ends meet," he said.

“Their attitude to representing Australia was extraordinarily committed and that was right down to the bone with their sportsmanship and their will to win.”

"In those days it was pretty difficult as well," added Pearse. "He had great ball-playing ability and as a captain he always led from the front. Moving positions in set plays would have been hard. He was incredibly well-respected, and he really led by example and a very humble person as most players are.

"You knew he was a captain when he stood in the room. He had this confidence and presence."

Wallabies captain Michael Hooper said John Thornett remained an example for players today.

"When I sit down and chat with former Wallabies about their time in the gold jersey, they all speak glowingly of John and are in awe of how he played on the field and how he represented himself and Australia," Hooper said.

Former teammate and fellow Norths life member Ross Tulloch said John's influence was as important off the field as on.

"He was the heart and soul of life on tour, not just for what he did on the field," Tulloch said. "'Thorn' made everyone feel welcome and part of the team, working away at one goal."

Former Wallaby teammate and one-time Australian Rugby Union president Peter Crittle agreed that John was the most outstanding leader in Australian Rugby.

"He led by example and was a great advertisement for Australia off the field as well," Peter Crittle said when he was interviewed for 'Sometimes the Best Ever: The Story of the 1966-1967 Wallabies', which marked the 50th anniversary of the Grand Tour of the northern hemisphere.

Wallabies legend Simon Poidevin said: "John Thornett was a beautiful man and a true gentleman who excelled in multiple sports and was a proud and successful captain of the Wallabies".

World Cup-winning coach Bob Dwyer said: "He was a super captain and terrific player. He was an absolute gentleman from the tip of his toe to the top of his head."

Former Norths player and committee member Graham St John described John as the "father figure" of the club and a brilliant man.

"He was very much revered ... he led by example in everything he did," St John said. "There were stories of him as a young, blond Adonis at Sydney Boys High.

"He had determination to do what was right, whether it was the way the game was played or administered. His humility was extraordinary. Even though he had a level of adulation few Australian players ever dreamed of, he was almost embarrassed by the attention."

Rugby Australia chief executive Raelene Castle also paid tribute on behalf of the game's governing body.

“Australian rugby has lost not only one of its greatest Wallabies, but one of its finest leaders," Castle said.

“John Thornett played rugby for the love of the game and at all times treasured its values of mateship and sportsmanship. There was nothing he would not do for the game and his team, which is why his name is synonymous with Australian pride and great leadership.”

Other former team members said John Thornett captured "the imagination of the British sporting public", and described him as "the world's finest gentleman" and a man with "unbelievable character who you'd give your heart and soul for".

Accolades and Awards

John Thornett was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1966 and inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985. He received an Australian Sports Medal in 2000. In 2005 he was honoured as one of the inaugural five inductees into the Australian Rugby Union Hall of Fame. Upon his induction, the then Australian Rugby Union president, Paul McLean, referred to John's name as: "synonymous with Australian pride and great leadership". He was additionally honoured by the International Rugby Board in 2013 with induction into the IRB Hall of Fame.

Following his retirement, John was appointed to the first national coaching panel, which devised a coaching manual and system that underpinned Australian success for decades to come.

John also served as vice-president of the NSW Rugby Union.

The Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust recognised the Thornett brothers' significant contribution to the Australian sporting landscape and paid homage to them with the erection of a plaque on the Walk of Honour in the SCG precinct. 'The Thornett Brothers' plaque sits proudly alongside other Australian sporting icons such as Dally Messenger, Reg Gasnier and Trevor Allan. The Walk of Honour will be transformed in to a Wall of Honour near the Noble atrium in the near future.

A copy of Lesley Moline’s 1966 portrait of John appears below.

The Rugby Club Foundation acknowledges that the content of this tribute has been sourced from Jack Pollard’s book Australian Rugby Union – The Game and the Players, from Wikipedia and from the various media outlets which announced and commented on the passing of John Thornett.