David Anthony Dunworth

David Dunworth was a fiery, aggressive and outstanding loosehead prop forward for Australian in the early to mid-1970s. A big bear of a man, Dunworth stood 6ft.1in. and weighed 227 lbs yet often surprised with his mobility. 

Born in Brisbane, Dunworth was educated at St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace. He played rugby from fifth grade initially at breakaway. In Year 11 he switched to prop, a position in which he remained for the rest of his career, and represented the 1st XV in 1964.

On leaving Terrace, Dunworth joined the Brothers Club and was selected in the Queensland U19 team coached by Paul Mooney (Wallaby #405). In 1969 Dunworth played his first senior representative rugby when he debuted for Queensland against Australian Combined Services at Ballymore.  

In 1971 and on the verge of national honours, Dunworth suffered a knee injury  which saw him miss the home series against South Africa. He came back into the reckoning for the Wallaby tour of France here his mobility was a key factor in his selection for a Test debut at Toulouse. 

In 1972 he was named on the Wallaby tour to New Zealand however to his bitter disappointment, his knee trouble flared and he was forced to withdraw. When Queensland crushed New South Wales 42-2 in 1976 Dunworth found himself back in the representative picture with a spot in the squad for the home series against Fiji. Dunworth was then selected for the Wallaby tour to France but did not play in either of the Tests.

David Dunworth played five Tests for Australia in a six-year international career.

Highlights

1971

Dunworth won his first Test cap at loosehead prop alongside Peter Johnson and Roy Prosser in the 1st Test 13-11 victory over France in Toulouse. That trio was retained for the 2nd Test, 9-18 loss in Paris.

1972

Dunworth started in both home Tests in combination with Prosser and Bruce Taafe against France however in the 1st match in Sydney he was ‘king hit’ from behind and left the field on a stretcher to be replaced by Jake Howard.

1976

Dunworth won his final cap in partnership with Chris Carberry and Ron Graham in the the 21-9, 2nd Test victory over Fiji at Ballymore. He was promoted from the reserves after John Meadows could not arrive in Brisbane early enough, due to personal reasons, in order to prepare for the match.