Lachlan David Turner

A winger of blistering pace, Lachlan Turner delivered a string of eye-catching displays for the New South Wales Waratahs that vaulted him into consideration for national honours before his 21st birthday. Turner played his junior rugby for the Epping Rams, he captained the 1st XV at Sydney’s Newington College and in 2005 represented Australian Schools. He joined the Waratah Academy in 2006 and a year later made his Super Rugby debut against the Stormers in Sydney.

Turner announced his arrival on the big stage a few rounds later against the Crusaders when he scored a stunning 60m solo try and in the process left All Blacks’ Caleb Ralph and Leon McDonald grasping at thin air. He went on to win Super Rugby “Rookie of the Year” and scored three tries in a man-of-the-match performance for Australia ‘A’ against Tonga.

In 2008, Turner made his Test debut in the 40-10, 2nd Test victory over France at Brisbane. Two years later Turner was officially confirmed as Australia’s fastest footballer when he won the Gatorade Bolt 100m in 11.10 seconds to beat a quality field of NRL and A-League rivals. In 2011, Turner earned a late call-up to the Wallabies’ Rugby World Cup squad before he played the last of his 15 Tests on the end-of-season Spring Tour.

Highlights

2005

Represented Australian Schools against Japan High Schools, Samoan U18s and New Zealand Schools. He was then selected to tour the U.K. and Ireland and played in all four Tests, against England U17s, England U18s, Wales U18s and Ireland U18s.

2006

Selected in the Australian squad which won the third-annual IRB U19s Junior World Championship title in the United Arab Emirates.

2008

Turner won his first Test cap at left wing in the run-on XV of the 40-10, 2nd Test win over France in Brisbane. Turner scored his first Test try in his only other Test of 2008, the 30-20 victory over Italy in Padova.

2009

Turner started the opening nine Tests of 2009 on the right wing however Queensland rival Peter Hynes was the preferred No.14 during the end-of-season Spring Tour .

2010

He was a member of the 2010 Rugby Sevens squad that won silver at the Delhi Commonwealth Games. Turner also played three Tests, two of which were on the end-of-season Spring Tour against Italy and France.

2011

Turner was not selected in the original 30-man Wallaby squad for the Rugby World Cup however he did enjoy a late call-up after Drew Mitchell injured his hamstring in the pool match win over Russia. Turner marked his final Test cap with a try in the 24-18 victory over Wales in Cardiff.