Paul Raymond Kahl

Paul Kahl was a tall, solidly built five-eighth with a prodigious kicking game. A star schoolboy, Kahl would have played more representative rugby but for the presence of the great Michael Lynagh.

Kahl attended Brisbane State High School, captained the 1st XV in 1985 and from there represented Australian Schools. Such was Kahl’s ability and potential he played three consecutive years for the Australian U21s.

In 1987, aged just 19, he made his debut for Queensland against Canterbury at Ballymore however Kahl then waited five years for his big break. With Lynagh playing in Italy, Kahl was a surprise choice for the short Wallaby tour of South Africa but clearly impressed enough to earn a spot on the end-of-season tour to the U.K. Helped by the now injured Lynagh and with the support of Tim Horan, Kahl overcame a raft of negative press coverage to earn a Test debut against Wales in Cardiff.

Kahl performed coolly and steered Australia to a well-earned 23-6 victory. The following year Kahl took a calf injury into a Super 10 match against Natal and ended up in hospital with blood clots.

Out for several months, Kahl returned to find Scott Bowen occupying the No.10 jersey before Lynagh returned ahead of the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

Highlights

1985/86

Represented Australian Schools against New Zealand Schools, Italian Youth, Scotland Schools, Irish Schools and England Schools.

1987

Represented Australian U21s against New Zealand Colts alongside future fellow Wallabies Tony Daly, Andrew Blades, David Dix, Ricky Stuart and Paul Carozza.

1988

Represented Australian U21s when they defeated New Zealand U21s 24-19 at Ballymore.

1989

Represented Australian U21s against New Zealand Colts.

1992

Kahl won his single Test cap as the starting fly half in the 23-6 victory over Wales in Cardiff.