Edward Lawrence Heinrich

Ted Heinrich was a taciturn, tough-as-nails, top class flanker who was blessed with such pace that he played capably on the wing for Randwick and even at centre for the Wallabies. The younger brother of Wallaby flanker, Vince Heinrich (Wallaby #404), Ted was an all-round sporting achiever at St Joseph’s College, Hunters HIll where he captained the 1st XV for two years (1956-57). He also shone at rowing, cricket and athletics.

 

After school, Heinrich joined the famous Randwick club and in 1959 played in the Galloping Greens’ premiership backrow with Wallabies Terry Reid and Bob Outterside. Heinrich also made his senior representative debut that year, for New South Wales against Queensland at North Sydney Oval.

 

In 1961, Heinrich was one of 11 debutants for the 1st Test match against Fiji in Brisbane. Later that year he was chosen for his first Wallaby tour to South Africa and was called into the team for the 2nd Test after Australia were run off their feet in the rarefied atmosphere of Ellis Park to lose the opening Test by 3-28.

 

The following year Heinrich played both at home and away against New Zealand before he returned to South Africa in 1963. He worked hard in training to overcome a knee injury and the withdrawal of Dallas O’Neill saw him play in the 1st Test in Pretoria. However, the sensational form of Greg Davis and Jules Guerassimoff saw them partnered in the back row for the next seven internationals.

 

At the end of the 1964 season, Heinrich switched codes to play rugby league for Parramatta.

 

Ted Heinrich played 11 Tests for Australia in a three-year international career. 

 

Highlights

 

1961

 

Heinrich won his first Test cap on the flank alongside John O’Gorman and Terry Reid in the 1st Test, 24-6 victory over Fiji at the Exhibition Ground. Heinrich and Reid were joined by Dick Thornett at No.8 for the final two Tests of that series. Heinrich picked up a fourth cap in the 2nd Test loss to South Africa in Port Elizabeth and retained his spot on the side of the scrum for the 8-15 defeat to france at the S.c.G. 

 

1962

 

Heinrich earned three caps in two home Tests against New Zealand and then the 1st Test, 9-9 draw in Wellington. 

 

1963

 

He picked up his final two caps on the flank in the 18-9 victory over England in Sydney and the3-14, 1st Test loss to South Africa at Loftus Versfeld.