Darren Kevin Junee

Darren Junee was a highly talented utility back who was unlucky to have a career that coincided with four of the greatest players - Michael Lynagh, Tim Horan, Jason Little and David Campese - to ever pull on a Wallaby jersey.

Born into a family with a strong sporting pedigree, his father Kevin played rugby league for Australia, Junee was educated at St. Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill and played two years in the 1st XV - the second (1987) as captain. An obvious talent, Junee won selection for Australian Schools, and then three consecutive years for Australian U21s.

He debuted for New South Wales, against Fiji in Sydney, while still 19 and later in 1989 found himself on the Wallaby tour to Canada and France. When Ian Williams succumbed to a strained stomach muscle, Junee made his Test debut against the French in Strasbourg.

Junee went on to become a regular tourist with the Wallabies - 1990 to New Zealand, 1992 to South Africa and 1993 to North America and France. One undoubted career highlight came in 1992 when he scored three tries as Sydney trounced the touring All Blacks by 40-17, a record all-time margin of defeat.

At the end of 1994 Junee switched codes to play rugby league with Eastern Suburbs.

Highlights

1987

Represented Australian Schools against Ireland Schools alongside fellow future Wallabies Michael Brial, Brett Johnstone, Tim Horan and Jason Little.

1988

Selected in the Australian U21s squad against New Zealand U21s

1989

Represented Australian U21s against New Zealand Colts. Junee made his Test debut off the bench when he replaced Ian Williams in the 1st Test, 32-15 victory over France in Strasbourg. A week later he picked up another replacement cap in the 2nd Test, 19-25 defeat at Lille.

1990

Represented Australian U21s against New Zealand Colts and scored a try in the 21-24 loss in Sydney. Represented Australia at the Hong Kong 7s.

1991

Represented Australia at the Hong Kong 7s.

1994

Junee won his final two caps, both off the bench, in the 73-3 defeat of Western Samoa and the 20-16 win against New Zealand, both of which were played in Sydney. He scored his first Test try against the Samoans.