Robert Cyril (‘Danny’) Kay

‘Danny’ Kay was one of two Australian soldiers selected to tour New Zealand with the Wallabies in 1958 and became the first Victorian in twenty years to play in a Test. An unflappable, compact centre, Kay was born in Sydney and educated at De La Salle College, Homebush. Kay enlisted in the Army as an apprentice in the 6th intake into Apprentice School at Balcombe. His trade calling was as a carpenter and joiner. Kay served in the Royal Australian Engineers, a corps of the Australian Army, at first with 21st Construction Squadron in 1954.

Kay had not played for Victoria against an international team when selected for the 1958 Wallaby tour to New Zealand. He delivered solid, consistent performances in the early matches and when Eddie Stapleton withdrew from the second international due to a thigh injury, Rod Phelps was shifted out one spot to the wing which allowed Kay to be selected for his maiden Test in Christchurch. The shock 6-3 victory, the All Blacks’ first loss in two years, guaranteed Kay a spot in the final and deciding Test however he failed to overcome an ankle injury and was ruled out on the day of the game.

In 1959 he earned a second cap against the British Isles when Jack Potts withdrew due to the pressure of his university exams. Kay served in Papua New Guinea in 1962- 1963, in operations in Sabah during ‘Konfrontasi’ in 1965-1966 and in Vietnam from March 1969 to March 1970 with the 17th Construction Squadron as a staff sergeant. ‘Danny’ Kay played two Tests for Australia in a two year international career.

Highlights

1958

Kay won his first Test cap at outside centre alongside Beres Ellwood in the 2nd Test, 6-3 victory over New Zealand at Lancaster Park.

1959

Kay started at outside centre in combination with Len Diett in the 2nd Test, 3-24 loss to the British Lions at the S.C.G.