Drew Allen Mitchell

Drew Mitchell was one of Australia’s finest finishers over an international career that spanned more than a decade.

Born in Sydney but schooled in Brisbane, Mitchell starred as a fullback for St Patrick’s College in Shorncliffe. His talents were suitably rewarded with selection for Australian U16s and, in his final year, Australian Schools.

A prolific try scorer with searing natural speed Mitchell then represented Australia in the IRB Sevens World Series before he was chosen to captain his country at the 2001 U21s world championships.

In 2004 he made his Super Rugby debut for the Reds against the Highlanders in Invercargill, played for Australia ‘A’ and won a spot on the Wallabies’ Spring Tour. Mitchell then enjoyed a breakout 2005 season. He scored 11 tries for the Reds, made his Test debut against South Africa in Sydney and was named the Wallaby ‘Rookie of the Year’.

Mitchell moved to the Western Force in 2007 and then the Waratahs in 2010 before he signed for RC Toulon for the 2013/14 season. He made a return to the Wallabies under the 'Giteau Law' in 2015 and subsequently won selection to a third Rugby World Cup.

Mitchell accumulated 71 Test caps and scored 34 Test tries over his twelve year Wallaby career. He holds the Wallaby record for the number of individual countries against which he scored a try on debut (10). Mitchell retired in 2017 as Australia's highest try scorer in World Cup history (14). 

2000

Represented Australian U16s

2001

Represented Australian Schools against England Schools, Samoan Schools, Japan U19s, Wales Schools, Scotland U19s and Ireland Schools.  

2002/03

Represented Australia in the IRB Sevens World Series. 

2004

Captained the Australian squad to the third-annual IRB U21s Rugby World Championships in Scotland.

2005

Mitchell won his first Test cap off the bench when he replaced Clyde Rathbone at outside centre in the 1st Test, 30-12 victory over South Africa in Sydney. In the 83rd minute Mitchell backed-up a Mat Rogers intercept to become the 83rd Wallaby to score a try on debut. Five weeks later Mitchell was selected at fullback for his first Test in a run-on XV, against New Zealand in Sydney. He scored a brilliant solo try in the 13-30 loss to become only the fourth Australian to score a try on debut against both South Africa and New Zealand. Mitchell finished the year with a total of 10 Test caps and as equal-top try scorer (6) with Lote Tuqiri. 

2006

Mitchell was overlooked for the domestic Tests and Tri Nations but returned to the squad for the end-of-season Spring Tour. He did not earn a Test cap but figured in the uncapped mid-week victories over Ireland ‘A’ and Scotland ‘A’.  

2007

Mitchell played in all bar one of the Wallabies’ 12 Tests and started eight of those on the left wing. He won selection to his first Rugby World Cup, made five appearances and scored seven tries to surpass David Campese’s 1991 Australian record for a single tournament. 

2008

An ankle injury saw Mitchell miss the opening three inbound Tests but he was named in the Tri Nations’ squad. He earned eight more caps, including one as a replacement No.8, from the remaining 11 internationals. 

2009

Mitchell started on the left wing in all bar one of his twelve Tests in 2009.  

2010

Mitchell won a career high 14 caps, predominantly as a left winger, and scored nine five-pointers to top the Wallabies’ try scoring list. A week after he was the 19th Australian to score 100 Test points - against South Africa in Brisbane - Mitchell became just the second Wallaby to be sent from the field after he received two yellow cards in the 28-49, 1st Test  loss to New Zealand in Melbourne. Mitchell played his 50th Test in the 41-39, 3rd Test win over South Africa in Bloemfontein. 

2011

Mitchell overcame a dislocated ankle and a fractured fibula to be selected to his second Rugby World Cup. He played three Tests before a hamstring injury in the pool game against Russia ruled him out of the tournament’s finals stage. 

2012

A persistent ankle injury saw Mitchell win just five caps over the course of the Wallabies 15 Test season. 

2013/14

Mitchell’s decision to join FC Toulon ruled him out of Wallaby consideration for both the 2013 and 2014 seasons. 

2015

The “Giteau Law” allowed Mitchell to qualify for Wallaby selection. He picked up a couple of caps during the Rugby Championships and was selected in the squad for what was his third Rugby World Cup. Mitchell started on the left wing in five of Australia’s seven Tests and scored four tries.  

2016

Mitchell won his final Test cap when he came off the bench in the 1st Test, 23-17 victory over South Africa in Brisbane.