Raymond Allen Price

The title of Ray Price’s autobiography was ‘Perpetual Motion’. There was no more appropriate description for the indomitable, courageous and committed flanker. Price was very highly regarded among his teammates and opponents, so much so that he found himself an almost universal selection in the “Best XVs” written in autobiographies of players from his era. Born and bred in Sydney, Price attended Cumberland High School and played his club rugby for the Two Blues.

He was chosen as a 21-year-old for both Sydney and New South Wales against the 1974 All Blacks and created a more than favourable impression. As a reward he was handed a Test debut at the S.C.G. Price then started in the next six Tests, played an outstanding game against England in Sydney where he terrorised their inside backs with a sensational display of aggressive loose forward play, and won selection for the Sixth Wallabies tour to Britain. However, Price carried a hernia injury into the tour that limited his participation to just six of the 23 matches.

When he returned home, Price switched codes and signed to play rugby league for Parramatta. Not surprisingly he starred in league, played 22 Tests, went on two Kangaroo tours to Britain and in 1985 was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for “service to the sport of rugby league football”.

Ray Price played eight Tests for Australia in a three-year international career.

Highlights

1974

Price won his first Test cap on the flank in combination with fellow debutant John Lambie and twice capped Mark Loane for the 1st Test, 6-11 loss to New Zealand in Sydney. He scored his first Test try after Paul McLean had a penalty shot at goal. The ball hit the post, rebounded, Price gathered it in and slid over to become the 49th Wallaby to score a try on debut. Price retained his spot for the final two Tests although Lambie played at No.8 and Greg Cornelsen came into the side after Loane broke his hand in the first international.

1975

Price played on the side of the scrum in all four home Tests against England (2) and Japan (2).

1975/76

Price played his final Test in partnership with Shaw and Gary Pearse in the 24-12 win over the U.S.A. in Anaheim.