Cameron Paul Lillicrap

Cameron Lillicrap was regarded by many as one of the finest loose-head props to have ever played Test rugby for Australia. As such the fact that the powerhouse front row forward only tallied seven caps is indeed a great injustice. Lillicrap was strong, immensely skilful and technically without peer among the younger props of his era. Unfortunately injuries wreaked havoc upon his playing career.

Born and bred in Brisbane, Lillicrap was educated at Brisbane Grammar School. His tremendous form and talent came to the fore when he starred for Australian Schools and then the national U21s.

Five days after his 19th birthday Lillicrap made his Queensland debut against North Auckland in Whangarei. That same season he opposed Argentine great Enrique Rodriguez who was by then with New South Wales. Amazingly Lillicrap more than held his own and on the strength of that showing he was picked for the Wallaby tour to Fiji and the Grand Slam tour of the U.K. but did not play in any of the Tests.

That opportunity came in 1985 when Lillicrap made his Test debut against Fiji in Sydney. Somewhat cruelly he played just six more Tests over the following six years as knee issues literally stole three seasons of his rugby prime. Despite that Lillicrap played at two Rugby World Cups and returned home from the 1991 tournament a World Champion.

Highlights

1980

Selected in the Australian Schools squad.

1981/82

Represented Australian Schools against Ireland Schools, Scotland Schools and Welsh Youth.

1983

Selected in the Australian U21s squad for their tour of New Zealand.

1985

Lillicrap won his first Test cap as the starting loosehead prop alongside Mark McBain and Andy McIntyre in the 2nd Test, 31-9 victory over Fiji in Sydney.

1987

Lillicrap was selected to his first Rugby World Cup and played in four Tests, all at No.1, against the U.S.A., Ireland, France and Wales.

1989

He picked up a single cap in the 1st Test, 30-12 win against the British Lions in Sydney but was forced from the field at halftime after he damaged the cruciate ligament in his right knee.

1991

Lillicrap was selected to his second Rugby World Cup where he played in the 9-3 pool game victory over Western Samoa in Pontypool.