Duncan Hall

Duncan Hall was born to play football for his country however it was far from certain that he would become a Wallaby. Hall was the son of rugby league great Duncan Hall, Snr. who played 22 Tests for Australia from 1948 to 1954 and toured twice with the Kangaroos. Much like his dad, Hall Jnr. was tough and highly competitive. Strong in the ruck and the maul, Hall was a strapping, swarthy, technically superb back rower cum lock.

Born in Brisbane, Hall Jr. was educated at famed GPS rugby nursery, Nudgee College. From school Hall joined the Brothers’ club and despite the undoubted quality of the Queensland back row of that era, made his representative debut on the flank against the ACT aged just 19. When Wallaby lock David Hillhouse went into temporary retirement in 1978 Hall locked down a more permanent position with the Maroons and figured prominently in their record 48-10 drubbing of New South Wales. His performances won him a spot on the reserves bench for the 1979 home Tests against Ireland and the All Blacks and, eventually, selection in the first Wallaby team to tour Argentina.

While Wallaby captain Mark Loane stunned the rugby hierarchy when he moved to play for Natal in South Africa his decision created a wonderful opportunity for Hall. In early 1980 he was finally rewarded with a Test debut against Fiji in Suva and from there played a key role in Australia’s first successful defence of the Bledisloe Cup and first home series win over New Zealand since 1934.

When nine Queenslanders made themselves unavailable for the 1982 tour to New Zealand Hall was considered extremely unfortunate not to be named as captain, an honour that fell to Mark Ella. At the end of the 1983 season, Hall toured Italy and France, and was given the honour of captaining Australia in three uncapped matches, before the emergence of a youthful Steve Tuynman started what was to be a long tenure in the No.8 jersey.

Duncan Hall played 15 Tests for Australia in a four-year international career.

Highlights

1980

Hall won his first Test cap at No.8 alongside Tony Shaw and fellow debutant Simon Poidevin in the 22-9 victory over Fiji in Suva. He played in all three Bledisloe Cup Tests, the first two at lock in partnership with Steve Williams and the third at No.8.

1981

Hall and Williams were the locks for the two Test home series against France. Hall scored his first Test try in the 2nd Test, 24-14 win.

1982

Hall partnered Peter McLean in the second row for the two Tests against Scotland. He them teamed up with Williams for the 1st Test of the Bledisloe Cup series but was forced from the field in the 2nd Test after he was kicked in the back and suffered fractured vertebrae at the base of his spine.

1983

Hall earned his final five Test caps as a No.8 against the U.S.A, at lock with David Hillhouse in the 1st Test against Argentina, then back at No.8 for the 2nd Argentine Test, the one-off Bledisloe Cup Test and the 29-7 defeat of Italy in Rovigo.