James Charles Hindmarsh

Jim Hindmarsh was another product of the mid-1970s golden era for New South Wales Country rugby. Born in Bowral, Hindmarsh was a versatile utility back, just as home at fullback as fly half, who proved to be a very solid last-line of defence, a more than handy goal kicker and had the inclination to attack from broken play whenever possible. Hindmarsh played rugby league as a youngster and did not make the switch to rugby until he was a boarder at The Scots College. From the school’s 1st XV, Hindmarsh made the Australian Schools team that visited South Africa in 1969. He played for Eastern Suburbs after school but soon returned to the land and was a founding member of the Bowral Blacks club.

Hindmarsh quickly became a noted performer in country rugby and represented both ACT and New South Wales Country. In 1975 Hindmarsh played for Country when they shocked England 14-13 in Goulburn and he was also in the side that crushed Japan 97-20 in Moree. Hindmarsh scored 29 points (13C, 1PG) as he set an Australian record for points in a match against a touring team. For the 2nd Test the Japan series, the Wallaby selectors made five changes to the side that had won the 1st Test 37-7 and in one of the more significant, shifted Paul McLean to fly half and chose Hindmarsh a Test debut at fullback.

He was duly selected for the Sixth Wallabies tour to Britain and played 15 of the 26 matches including Tests against Scotland and Wales. The following year Hindmarsh was Australia’s first choice No.15 however after he played in all Tests that season he switched codes to play rugby league for the Penrith Panthers.

Jim Hindmarsh played nine Tests for Australia in a two-season international career.

Highlights

1975

Hindmarsh won his first Test cap at fullback in the 50-25 victory over Japan at Ballymore.

1975/76

With Paul McLean chosen at No.15, Hindmarsh started at fly half for the opening two Tests against Scotland and Wales on the Sixth Wallabies tour to Britain. John Weatherstone assumed the No.10 jersey for the England and Ireland internationals before Hindmarsh played his third match, the 24-12 defeat of the U.S.A. in Anaheim.

1976

Hindmarsh started at fullback in all three Tests of the home series against Fiji and both away Tests against France.