2009 Wallaby Hall of Fame inductees announced
ARU Media
Wednesday August 19, 2009


Australian Rugby Union today proudly announces the latest three inductees to the Wallaby Hall of Fame – former Test greats Dr Alec Ross, Tony Miller and Jon White.

The trio brings to 17 the number of members in one of Australian Rugby’s most exclusive clubs.

Each year there are three past players added to the Hall of Fame list.

One is drawn from the pre-World War II era and two from the post-World War II era.

Legendary fullback, the late Dr Alec Ross, had the distinction of becoming the first Australian captain to lift the Bledisloe Cup after leading his side to a series win over the All Blacks in 1934.

Australia won the first of two Tests 25-11 and drew the second and final game of the series 3-all in what was Ross’ last international appearance.

Known as the “Ross of Gibraltar” for his reliability, he made his debut as a 19-year-old in 1925 against New Zealand at the Sydney Showground.

He was part of the 1927-28 Waratahs tour to the UK, Ireland, France and North America and in 1929 starred in Australia’s historic clean sweep of the All Blacks – a three-Test series whitewash not matched until 1998.

Ross also had the honour of leading the Wallabies first tour to South Africa in 1933.

Fearless forward Tony Miller retired from Test Rugby after a 1967 Test against the All Blacks.

He was 38 at the time and the most-capped Australian Test player – a record he would hold for five years until overtaken by Peter Johnson.

Miller made two long tours to the British Isles, one to South Africa and several to New Zealand. However, he also passed up several other touring opportunities for family or business reasons.

“Slaggy” Miller made his debut as a No.8 against Fiji in 1952 and two months later was in the second row when the Wallabies beat New Zealand in Christchurch. He moved to the front row in 1961.

Miller, who died in 1988, was also a legend at club level, playing with Manly then coaching at both Manly and Warringah. His last match for Manly was at age 47 against a touring French team.

Jon White, still regarded as one of the greatest props Australia has produced, made his Test debut in 1958 against the All Blacks as a second rower.

He started his international career in the front row against Fiji in 1961. White toured South Africa twice, in 1961 and 1963, and on the second occasion was part of a memorable Wallabies effort in the four-Test series.

Australia won the second and third Tests to lead the series 2-1, becoming the first team since 1896 to beat the Springboks in back to back Tests on South African soil. The Springboks won the last Test to square the series.

White also played a key role in Australia’s record-breaking win over the All Blacks in Wellington in 1964.

The 20-5 result delivered the All Blacks their worst ever defeat to Australia and their biggest loss to any nation since going down 17-0 to the Springboks in 1928.

White played his last Tests in the two-game series clean sweep of South Africa in Australia in 1965.

2009 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

PRE WORLD WAR II – ALEC ROSS
Position: Fullback
Tests: 20 (1925-1934)

POST WORLD WAR II – TONY MILLER
Position: Prop/Second Row
Tests: 41 (1952-1967)

POST WORLD WAR II – JON WHITE
Position: Prop
Tests: 24 (1958-1965)