Rodney Charles Moore

Rod Moore was a tighthead prop from the Eastwood club in Sydney who was an unsung hero in the historic 2-1 series triumph over the British & Irish Lions in 2001. He was also a Rugby World Cup champion. Moore was educated at Carlingford High School in Sydney’s north-west and he is the only student of that institution to represent Australia at schools or Wallaby level. Moore served his front row apprenticeship in club rugby before he signed to play for the ACT Brumbies in 1997. He moved to the Waratahs in 1999 and debuted against Queensland at Ballymore. He was then one of four props to win selection to the 1999 Rugby World Cup and made his Test debut against the United States in Limerick.

In 2000, Moore was overlooked for national selection and made the decision to play in New Zealand’s NPC. He plied his trade with North Harbour and returned home a far better player for the experience. The following year he returned to the national team and enjoyed a series win over the Lions, Australia’s second Tri Nations title and the retention of the Bledisloe Cup. Rod Moore played 14 Tests for Australia in his four-year international career.

Highlights

1990

Represented Australian Schools against New Zealand Schools / Selected in the Australian Schools squad / Toured with Australian Schools to the U.K. and Europe.

1993

Selected in the AIS Australian U21s squad.

1999

Moore won his first Test cap as the starting tighthead prop in the 55-19 Rugby World Cup pool game victory over the United States in Limerick.

2001

An injury to Queensland rival Glen Panoho in the 1st Test loss to the British & Irish Lions opened the door for Moore’s return to Test rugby and he grabbed that opportunity with both hands. Moore was the cornerstone of the Australian scrum in the 2nd and 3rd Test victories where he more than held his own against Scotland’s Tom Smith. He played 10 Tests, six of which were in the run-on XV.

2002

Moore won his final three caps, each as a replacement, in the two Test home series against France and the 31-33, 2nd Test loss to South Africa in Johannesburg.