Robert Antony Lawton

Rob Lawton came from one of Australia’s great footballing families. His grandfather, Tom Lawton (Wallaby #154), ranks among the greatest Wallaby fly halves and captains while his older brother Tom (Wallaby #639) is rightly considered to be one of Australia’s finest hookers. Rob was technically sound with good mobility however opportunities for national selection were limited due to the quality of front row forwards of his era including Enrique Rodriguez, Andy McIntyre, Cameron Lillicrap and Mark Hartill.

Born in Malaysia, Rob was educated at Brisbane Grammar School. In 1986 he made his debut for Queensland against Middlesex in Sudbury but it was not until 1988, following the retirement of Rodriquez, that Lawton made the step up to Test rugby when he debuted alongside Andy McIntyre and his brother Tom against England at Ballymore. Australia won the match however Lawton was one of three players to miss selection for the second Test. He was chosen for the 1988 Wallaby tour to the U.K. and Europe where he won his fourth and final cap, against Scotland in Edinburgh.

Highlights

1988

Lawton won his first Test cap as the starting loose head prop in the 1st Test, 22-16 victory over England at Ballymore. He played in three more internationals, the 2nd and 3rd Tests against New Zealand, and the 32-13 defeat of Scotland at Murrayfield.