Peter John Slattery

Peter Slattery was a schoolboy prodigy scrum half from the Brisbane State High School who spent the majority of his international career as back-up to the great Nick Farr-Jones. Tough as whipcord, Slattery was known for his blindside dashes, quick reflexes and lightning service to his fly half.

In 1985 Slattery debuted for Queensland against King Country in remote Te Kuiti. Later that year, and in a virtual Test trial, Slattery played impressively in Queensland’s 26-18 victory over New South Wales and was rewarded with a bench position behind Farr-Jones. Unfortunately that became an all too familiar role for Slattery over the next eight seasons. He was a shock omission from the 1986 Wallaby tour to New Zealand and the following year, as the inaugural World Cup tournament beckoned, he broke his arm to rule him out of consideration.

Finally, in 1990 his persistence was rewarded when he made a Test debut against the United States at Ballymore.

His finest hours came at the 1991 Rugby World Cup where he more than ably filled in for an injured Farr-Jones, particularly in the dramatic quarter-final victory over Ireland. A year later he toured South Africa and was given the honour of captaining the side in the opening match against Western Transvaal.

Peter Slattery played 17 Tests for Australia in a six-year international career.

Highlights

1986

Represented Australia at the Hong Kong 7s

1990

Slattery won his first Test cap off the bench when he replaced Nick Farr-Jones in the 67-9 defeat of the United States at Ballymore. He scored his first Test try in that match to become the 69th Wallaby to score a try on debut. Represented Australia at the Hong Kong 7s.

1991

Slattery played five Tests, four as a replacement, and was selected to his first Rugby World Cup. He earned his first run-on XV cap at No.9 in the 38-3 pool game victory over Wales in Cardiff.

1992

He did not play in the domestic Tests however when Nick Farr-Jones retired after the win over South Africa in Cape Town, Slattery was chosen for the short tour to the U.K. and started in the wins over Ireland (42-17) and Wales (23-6).

1993

Slattery started the opening Test against Tonga however inside the first quarter of the match he was kneed in the back, broke two ribs and as a consequence missed the one-off Test against New Zealand and the home series against South Africa. Slattery returned for the tour to North America and France where he started in each of the three Tests.

1994

He played in the first three internationals against Ireland (2) and Italy before he was switched to the bench behind newcomer George Gregan.

1995

Slattery was selected to his second Rugby World Cup and picked up his final two caps, at No.9 against Canada and off the bench in the pool game with Romania.

1996

Represented Australia at the Hong Kong 7s.