Ewen James Andrew McKenzie
- 59Age
- 51Caps
- 688Wallaby Number
PositionTighthead Prop
Date Of BirthJune 21, 1965
Place of BirthMelbourne
SchoolThe Scotch College, Melbourne
Debut ClubRandwick
ProvinceNSW
Other ClubHarlequins (Melbourne), Paris Université (FRA)
Other ProvinceACT
Debut Test Match1990 Wallabies v France, 1st Test Sydney
Final Test Match1997 Wallabies v England, Sydney
Rugby World Cups1991 & 1995
Biography
Ewen McKenzie was one of the finest tight head props to represent Australia and at times during his career was arguably the best tight head prop in international rugby. McKenzie initially took up rugby because his body size was not suitable for Australian Rules Football. Squat and thickset, McKenzie was perfectly built for the rigours and dark arts of scrummaging. Born in Melbourne, McKenzie was educated at the Scotch College and played in the 1st XV for three seasons (1981-83). He was also selected in the Victorian Schools team in each of those years. After graduation, McKenzie played for Harlequins before he moved to Sydney in 1985 and joined the Randwick club. Two years later McKenzie made his debut for New South Wales against Queensland at Concord. He then toured with the Wallabies in both 1988 to the U.K. and 1989 to Canada and France but waited until 1990 to make his Test debut in the opening match of the homes series against France in Sydney. McKenzie became a such a critical member of the Australian team that he missed just two Tests over the next seven seasons. He was also the first Australian front-row forward to win 50 caps. Along the way he won a Rugby World Cup and two Bledisloe Cups. Ewen McKenzie played 51 Tests for Australia in an eight-year international career.
McKenzie won his first Test cap as the starting tighthead prop in the 1st Test, 21-9 victory over France in Sydney. He was in the run-on XV for all seven internationals of the year and scored his first Test try in the 67-9 defeat of the United States at Ballymore
1991
McKenzie was selected at No.3 for nine Tests and was included in the Australian squad for his first Rugby World Cup. Both he and loose head partner Tony Daly were rested, replaced by Dan Crowley and Cameron Lillicrap, for the 9-3 pool game win against Western Samoa at Pontypool.
1992
McKenzie played all eight Tests at No.3, the first six in partnership with Randwick teammates Phil Kearns and Daly.
1993
He earned a further eight caps, all alongside Kearns and Daly, against Tonga, New Zealand, South Africa (3), Canada and France (2).
1994
McKenzie started all six internationals of a rare unbeaten Wallaby season in the No.3 jersey.
1995
He played in seven of the Wallabies’ eight Tests including his one and only career appearance off the bench in the 27-11 Rugby World Cup pool game victory over Canada in Port Elizabeth.
1996
McKenzie played in both Tests of the home series against Wales but missed the rest of the international season after he broke a bone in his leg during one of the last scrums in the 2nd Test, 42-3 win in Sydney.
1997
In his final year of international rugby McKenzie started each of the opening four Tests but retired later in the season after he more than aggravated a long-term neck injury in a Shute Shield match against Northern Suburbs.
Highlights
1990McKenzie won his first Test cap as the starting tighthead prop in the 1st Test, 21-9 victory over France in Sydney. He was in the run-on XV for all seven internationals of the year and scored his first Test try in the 67-9 defeat of the United States at Ballymore
1991
McKenzie was selected at No.3 for nine Tests and was included in the Australian squad for his first Rugby World Cup. Both he and loose head partner Tony Daly were rested, replaced by Dan Crowley and Cameron Lillicrap, for the 9-3 pool game win against Western Samoa at Pontypool.
1992
McKenzie played all eight Tests at No.3, the first six in partnership with Randwick teammates Phil Kearns and Daly.
1993
He earned a further eight caps, all alongside Kearns and Daly, against Tonga, New Zealand, South Africa (3), Canada and France (2).
1994
McKenzie started all six internationals of a rare unbeaten Wallaby season in the No.3 jersey.
1995
He played in seven of the Wallabies’ eight Tests including his one and only career appearance off the bench in the 27-11 Rugby World Cup pool game victory over Canada in Port Elizabeth.
1996
McKenzie played in both Tests of the home series against Wales but missed the rest of the international season after he broke a bone in his leg during one of the last scrums in the 2nd Test, 42-3 win in Sydney.
1997
In his final year of international rugby McKenzie started each of the opening four Tests but retired later in the season after he more than aggravated a long-term neck injury in a Shute Shield match against Northern Suburbs.
