Mark Norman Hartill

Mark Hartill was a strong-scrummaging prop whose perseverance and commitment was rewarded with selection to a second Rugby World Cup eight years after his first. Educated at Crows Nest Boys' High School, Hartill went on to represent at both schools and aged levels before a New South Wales debut in 1986 saw his name enter the frame for national selection. Not long past his 22nd birthday Hartill was chosen for the Wallaby tour of New Zealand. That side created its own piece of history when it became only the second from Australia to win a series on New Zealand soil.

With Andy McIntyre unavailable and Cameron Lillicrap a withdrawal, Hartill took his chance with both hands to win a Test debut in Wellington and start in all three internationals. Although Hartill won selection to his first Rugby World Cup in 1987 he received limited game time as the selectors preferred the combination of McIntyre and Enrique Rodriguez.

In 1989 Hartill played in all three Tests against the British Lions however the emergence of the Ewen McKenzie, Phil Kearns, Tony Daly front row by early 1990 kept him out of Test football for more than five years. A month before his 31st birthday Hartill was brought back into the Test fold for the home series against Argentina and from there earned a spot in the Australian squad for the 1995 Rugby World Cup. Mark Hartill played 20 Tests for Australia in a 10-year international career.

Highlights

1981/82

Represented Australian Schools against Ireland Schools, Scotland Schools and Welsh Youth.

1982

Represented Australian Schools on their tour of New Zealand.

1985

Represented Australian U21s against New Zealand Colts, Tonga U21 & Fiji U21.

1986

Hartill won his first Test cap in the run-on XV for the 1st Test, 13-12 victory over New Zealand in Wellington. He maintained his position for both the 2nd and 3rd Tests of that series.

1987

Hartill earned three caps, against South Korea in Brisbane, in the Rugby World Cup pool match against Japan and in the 1st Test of the away series in Argentina.

1988

He started in both the first and second Tests of the home series against New Zealand before knee ligament damage in the 19-19 draw at Ballymore saw him miss the rest of the domestic season. He returned to pick up two caps on the end-of-season tour to the U.K. and Italy.

1989

Hartill came off the bench in the 1st Test, 30-12 win over the British Lions and was in the run-on XV for both the 2nd and 3rd Tests. He was selected on the tour of Canada and France where he started both Tests against France at tight head prop.

1995

Almost five-and-a-half years after his 15th cap Hartill returned to the Australian squad. Hartill played in both home Tests against Argentina before he earned selection to a second Rugby World Cup. Hartill was in the run-on side for the pool game win over Canada and later in the year started in each of the Bledisloe Cup Tests, the first alongside Dan Crowley and the second in partnership with Ewen McKenzie.