James Francis Reville

A tall, virile flanker who was educated at St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace, Frank Reville turned out for Valleys in the local Brisbane competition. In his younger days, he was State junior cycling champion over one mile. He made his debut for Queensland in 1930 against New South Wales and represented the State against Doug Prentice’s British Lions the same year. Three days later, Reville gained further international experience when playing for An Australian XV against the Lions in a match that Cyril Towers claimed the Australians did not take seriously.

The following season proved a big one for Reville, who played in the Interstate series and impressed in Queensland’s Sydney matches that served as trials for the Wallaby tour of New Zealand.

Following the retirements of Jack Ford and Wylie Breckenridge, there were a number of back-row positions opened and Reville grabbed one of the loose forward berths in the Wallaby team. However, the excellent form of Jimmy Clark, Len Palfreyman and Owen Bridle saw Reville miss selection in the big matches and he figured in just three tour fixtures.

The following year, Reville turned out for Queensland against New South Wales but lost his place to Warwick’s Kev Suter for the matches against the touring All Blacks and dropped out of first class rugby.