Norman Colburn Mayne

Norm Mayne was a pocket-sized halfback with an enormous heart and a sharp rugby brain. Unfortunately, his career coincided with that of Ken Catchpole, arguably Australia’s greatest ever player.

Mayne was a talented sportsman during his time at Brisbane Boys' College. He played his first rugby for the college’s U15As before two seasons in the 1st XV (1959-60). Mayne also enjoyed two years in the 1st XI (1959-60) and from there won selection in the GPS 1st XI representative side.

After school Mayne initially played his club rugby with Wests, where he made his first-grade debut in 1963, however a year later he moved to the University of Queensland. Mayne later recalled: “University in those days was way ahead of its time. I started out with Wests but I got tired of waiting for blokes to show up at training. They were always short of players and would comb the pubs on Friday night trying to recruit. So, I went down to Uni and found it much more professional. There were a lot of players, and the coaching was first class - Ashley Girle in A Grade, “Rumble” O’Neill and Norbert Byrne with the Reserves, and Pat Moroney with the Thirds. No wonder we won so many Club Championships.” Mayne enjoyed immediate success with his new club as they defeated Teachers 29-9 to win the 1964 Hospitals Cup.

The following year Mayne won the first of his 18 state caps when he debuted for Queensland in their 6-19 loss to New South Wales at Chatswood Oval. Eight weeks later Queensland slumped to a 5-50 defeat at the hands of a rampant South Africa however Mayne’s superb pass and all-round display saw him selected as a reserve for the second Test in Brisbane. Mayne rounded out the year with a tour of Fiji (for Queensland), another ‘A’ grade premiership with University and the award of a rugby Blue.

In 1966, Mayne played in the trials for the Fifth Wallabies tour. He partnered Rupert Rosenblum for Black II vs. White II in the first set of matches however a young up-and-comer from Newcastle by the name of John Hipwell deservedly won the coveted second halfback spot behind Catchpole.

Mayne enjoyed three further Hospitals Cup premierships with University - 1967 (17-15 over GPS), 1969 (vs. Brothers 22-14) and 1970 (def. GPS 24-6) before he formally retired at the end of the 1973 season.

Highlights 

1965

Mayne was named as a reserve for the second Test against South Africa at Lang Park