David Terry Giffin

David Giffin was an outstanding lineout exponent and a hard-working, head-geared lock forward who played a key role in the Wallaby successes of the late 1990s / early 2000s.

Giffin commenced his rugby career at Brisbane’s Redeemer Lutheran where he learned much from the technical coaching of Fred Davey and played two years in the 1st XV. While Giffin did not represent nationally at schools’ level he did so for the U21s.

In 1995, under the captaincy of future fellow Wallaby Brett Robinson, he made his Queensland debut against an England XV at Ballymore. Giffin then left his home state to join the fledgling ACT Brumbies franchise for the inaugural 1996 season of Super Rugby and debuted in their first ever match against Transvaal. Later that year he was chosen for the Wallaby tour to the U.K. and Europe and made his Test debut against Wales in Cardiff.

In 1999, Giffin’s consistently strong performances at both state and national level during the domestic Tests and Tri Nations earned him a spot in the Wallaby squad for the Rugby World Cup. He played in all seven Australian matches, partnered captain John Eales in each of the finals, and returned home a World Champion.

Giffin was also an integral part of three Bledisloe Cup wins, Australia’s first Tri Nations title and the 2001 series win over the British & Irish Lions.

David Giffin played 50 Tests for Australia in his eight-year international career. 

Highlights

1993

Represented Australia U21s

1996

Giffin won his first Test cap at lock in the run-on XV alongside Tim Gavin in the 28-19 victory over Wales in Cardiff.

1997

He started in both Tests of the home series against France only to break his foot at training before the 1st Test against New Zealand. Upon his return via club rugby Giffin badly broke his hand which ruled him out of the rest of the domestic season. He was named in the Wallaby squad to tour Argentina and the UK at the end the year but had to pull out with stress fractures in his feet. Australia experimented with Matt Cockbain, Garrick Morgan, Owen Finegan, John Langford and Warwick Waugh as a partner for John Eales across the final ten Tests of the year.

1998

A shoulder reconstruction saw Giffin miss the entire international season.

1999

Giffin played in all 13 Tests, 12 as the starting lock, and was selected in the Australian squad for the Rugby World Cup. Giffin packed down alongside skipper John Eales in each of the three finals’ matches.

2000

Giffin started at lock in all 10 Wallaby Tests of the season.

2001

He played in the opening two Tests of the British & Irish Lions series however a hamstring injury ruled him out for the deciding 3rd Test in Sydney. Giffin won a total of eight caps including all four on the end-of-season Spring Tour.

2002

Giffin missed the domestic Tests and the Tri Nations as he rehabilitated from another shoulder reconstruction but returned to play in each of the four matches of the tour to Argentina, the U.K. and Europe.

2003

Giffin won his final 12 Test caps and selection to his second Rugby World Cup. He played his 50th Test when he came off the bench in the final against England.