Owen Clive Crossman

Australian rugby has always been blessed with wonderful wing three-quarters. From ‘Boxer’ Russell to ‘Pup’ Raymond, ‘Jockey’ Kelaher, Charlie Eastes, Ernie Stapleton, Alan Morton, Mike Cleary, Brendan Moon, David Campese, Joe Roff, Ben Tune, Lote Tuqiri, Drew Mitchell and Marika Koroibete. The pint-sized Owen Crossman, at just 5 foot 3 inches and barely 9 ½ stone, is certainly not out of place in that esteemed company.

A brilliant and versatile sportsman, Crossman was a champion whose abilities were best understood by those who wrote about his play. “A sensational winger who, the moment he gets the ball, raises the crowd to its feet in expectancy of seeing his electric flash for the line.” (‘K.C.W.’ in The Sun). “Here was a chap who, on a pocket handkerchief, as it were, could finesse his way by extraordinary acceleration of pace past the most determined defender.” (“Light Blue” in The Sydney Mail). “Owen Crossman is to the union game what Harold Horder was to the League. He possesses all the arts and wiles of the complete winger - speed, swerve, double pace, and a jazzy flutter of the legs and body, disconcerting to an opponent attempting a tackle. Crossman is probably the greatest wing three-quarter the Union game has produced” (Unknown).

Crossman drew one comparison which puts all others into perspective: “Until the arrival of David Campese at Randwick in 1987 he was the standard against whom all of the Randwick’s wingers were compared.” (John Brewer, Randwick club historian)

After starring in both athletics and rugby at the New England Grammar School, Crossman passed to the Sydney Church of England Grammar School where he simply dominated. Crossman played three years in the 1st XV (1920-22), represented the GPS 1st XV (1921), and was awarded a Colours and Honour Cap (1921), In athletics he earned Colours (1920-22), was Captain (1922) and named on the Committee (1921-22). In the summer he dabbled at cricket - 3rd XI 1920, 2nd XI 1921 and 1st XI 1922. At boxing, he won both the under 9 stone and 9st. 7lb. championships in 1921.

Unsurprisingly, it did not take Crossman long to make an impact on the 1923 Sydney grade competition, the first year of the Shute Shield, and the inaugural season of the Randwick club. Debuting at outside centre in the opening round 27-19 win over North Sydney, he was said to have “played sparkling football”. “Faster than [NRL Hall of Fame winger] Horder”, said T.H. Bosward, New South Wales selector. Crossman was then chosen in the Metropolitan team to face New Zealand Universities after just two rounds. Crossman soon became Randwick’s first representative player, having played all of six first grade games, when he came off the bench, and scored a try, in the 1st Test against the touring Maori. As if to emphasise his arrival, Crossman scored in each of the next two Maori fixtures and in doing so became the first Wallaby to score a try in each of his first three Tests.

Described as “the sensation of Rugby Union this season,” Crossman was named for the subsequent tour of New Zealand but declined the invitation “on account of being unable to obtain the necessary leave.”

Before the 1924 season proper began, rumours circulated that Crossman and Wally Meagher (Wallaby #203) would turn out for the Eastern Suburbs Rugby League Club. Fortunately, for rugby, the chatter proved to be nothing more than that. Once again, his early season form was the talk of the town. He scored six tries “by dazzling sprints along the touchline” in Randwick’s 35-10 win over Old Boys. That record was eventually broken by triple Australian representative Michael Cleary in 1961. Two weeks after returning from more than a month out with an injured shoulder, Crossman scored in the Blues upset 20-16 victory over New Zealand. It was written that “no player on the field gave an abler display than the dashing winger. His try was a masterpiece, revealing pace and football intuition.”

Early in 1925 Crossman, racing for the Coogee Surf Club, won the Kerr Cup at the State Surf life Saving Association Championships with his victory in the 100 yards beach sprint. That year was also notable for the fact that Crossman toured overseas, to New Zealand, for the only time in his eight year representative career. The following season, Crossman started all four Tests against the All Blacks ahead of the tour to which all players of the time aspired, the Waratahs to the northern hemisphere in 1927/28. Unfortunately, Crossman declared himself unavailable due to personal commitments. Pundits of the day wrote: “Crossman will be a great loss to the side” and “the news that O. C. Crossman is unavailable for the English tour will be received with regret by thousands of followers in this State. In the opinion of many Crossman, with his great pace and natural ability, would have developed into a "scoring machine" on English fields.”

In 1929 Crossman was part of the first Australian side to sweep a three Test series against the All Blacks and a year later he played his final Test as the Wallabies defeated the Lions for the first time in 31 years. Crossman’s last game for the Waratahs was another career highlight as the home side thumped the tourists by 28 to 3. That was the largest Lions’ loss in a non-Test match until 1993 (vs. Waikato L 10-38) when tries were worth five points as opposed to the three points of 1930.

Crossman retired from rugby in 1931. He went on to become involved in coaching junior Randwick teams and in the club's administration. Crossman was a New South Wales selector in 1938.

Highlights

1923 Crossman won his first Test cap when he replaced Jack Pym on the wing in 1st Test, 27-23 victory over the Maori at the Showground. His second half try saw him become the 15th Wallaby to score a try on debut. He started each of the final two Tests and scored in both internationals.

1924 He was capped on the right wing in all three home Tests against New Zealand.

1925 Crossman earned three caps, all against the All Blacks, but missed the 2nd Test 0-4 loss due to shoulder and leg injuries.

1926 He started all four home Tests against New Zealand.

1929 Crossman scored a try in his lone appearance for the season, the 17-9 defeat of New Zealand in Brisbane.

1930 Won his final cap on the right wing in the 6-5 victory over the Lions at the SCG.