Daniel Joseph Herbert

Dan Herbert was a powerful, bone-crushing centre who enjoyed great success in his time in the Australian gold jersey. Safe, reliable and tremendously committed, Herbert was a penetrating runner with a physique more like that of a champion middleweight boxer.

Born in Brisbane and educated at Marist Brothers’ College, Ashgrove Herbert would have played two seasons in the 1st XV had it not been for an injured wrist in his final year. He did not play for Australian Schools but did represent at both U19 and U21 levels.

In 1993 Herbert made his Queensland debut against Border in South Africa. He enjoyed a very successful 1994 Super 12 and his form was rewarded with a Test debut against Ireland in Sydney. In his first four seasons Herbert struggled to cement a permanent spot in the Test team despite winning 14 caps. However, over his final five seasons he played in 53 of the Wallabies’ 57 internationals.

He contributed to many of Australia’s greatest victories including the 1998 3-0 whitewash of New Zealand, the Rugby World Cup win in 1999, Australia’s first two Tri Nations’ titles in 2000 and 2001 and the 2001 2-1 home series triumph over the British & Irish Lions. It was against the Lions that Herbert enjoyed one of his finest Tests. In the deciding match in Sydney, and with Australia trailing 9-10 just two minutes out from halftime, Herbert took a pass one off the ruck on the short side, put Andrew Walker away down the wing and then backed up Joe Roff on the inside to make the decisive score. Ten minutes into the second half Herbert dotted down for his second try and Australia went on to record an historic series win.

In 2003 a knee injury in Super Rugby and subsequent surgeries saw Herbert miss the rest of the season. He travelled to France and played with USAP before a neck injury ended his career in mid-2004.

Daniel Herbert played 67 Tests for Australia in his 10-year international career.

Highlights

1992

Represented Australian U19s against New Zealand U19s. The Australian side included fellow future Wallabies Pat Howard, George Gregan, Brendan Cannon and Fletcher Dyson.

1993

Represented AIS Australian U21s

1994

Herbert won his first Test cap in the run-on XV at outside centre in the second Test 32-18 defeat of Ireland in Sydney. With his first touch of the ball he latched onto a cutout pass from Michael Lynagh and scored his first Test try to become the 73rd Wallaby to score a try on debut. Herbert was also capped in both internationals against Ireland and in the one-off Test with Western Samoa.

1995

Herbert played in both home Tests against Argentina and was selected to his first Rugby World Cup. He started in the tournament opener against South Africa and the pool game against Romania.

1996

He earned five caps with three coming at No.13 on the end-of-season tour of the Northern hemisphere.

1997

Herbert won a single cap in the 1st Test, 13-30 loss to New Zealand in Christchurch.

1998

He started at outside centre in 12 of the Wallabies’ 13 internationals.

1999

Herbert played No.13 in all but one of the year’s 13 Tests. He was selected to his second Rugby World Cup and played in five of Australia’s six matches.

2000

Herbert started all 10 Tests at outside centre.

2001

Herbert was capped in the opening nine matches of 2001 but missed the final two Spring Tour internationals against France and Wales after he broke his hand against England. Herbert played his 50th Test in the 2nd Test, 35-14 victory over the British & Irish Lions in Melbourne.

2002

Herbert moved to No.12 and was in the run-on XV for all 10 Wallaby Tests of the season.