Roydon Barnett Prosser

Roy Prosser was one of Australia’s all-time premier ball-winning front row forwards. Renowned for his powerful mauling, Prosser had few peers in relation to his knowledge of scrum technique. One of Prosser’s sterling attributes was his ability to handle both sides of the scrum.

Born in Sydney, Prosser was educated at Newington College where he played two seasons in the 1st XV (1958-59), the second as captain.

Prosser first came to notice when he played club rugby for Northern Suburbs, however his abilities were clearly recognised when, without any representative experience, he was selected on the 1962 Wallaby tour of New Zealand. He played in six uncapped matches and proved he was of international calibre however he would spend the next few years serving his apprenticeship behind John Thornett and Jon White.

His next tour came in 1966/67 when selected on the Fifth Wallabies’ tour to the British Isles, France and Canada under captain John Thornett. In the early part of the tour Prosser ‘strung together some powerhouse displays’ and was called in to replace Tony Miller, and make his Test debut, against England at Twickenham.

He played seventeen tour games and had become an established Wallaby with a fine future. From his debut Prosser was Australia’s first choice prop from 1967 until 1972 during which he played 25 of the Wallabies’ 27 Tests.

In 1969 he toured to South Africa and while he started in all four Tests a moment of considerable pride was his appointment as captain in the uncapped match against North East Cape at Graaf-Reinet. Another memorable moment was his 1971 selection in a World XV to play England at Twickenham to commemorate the Centenary of English rugby.

Prosser’s outstanding Wallaby career ended in 1972, with a tour of New Zealand and Fiji. In an incredible performance. Prosser proved himself to be a genuine iron man as he playing in all fourteen matches.

Roy Prosser played 25 Tests for Australia in a six-year international career.

Highlights

1966/67

Prosser won his first Test cap alongside Peter Johnson and Jim Miller in the 23-11 victory over England at Twickenham. He retained his spot for the 8-15 loss to Ireland at Lansdowne Road.

1967

Prosser, Johnson and Tony Miller were the frontrow in both the 5-11 defeat to Ireland at the S.C.G. and the 9-29 loss to New Zealand at Athletic Park.

1968

He played all five Tests against New Zealand (2), France, Ireland and Scotland.

1969

Jim Roxburgh and Prosser were the starting props in each of the five Wallaby Tests. Paul Darveniza played hooker in the one-off Test against Wales and the final three Tests against South Africa. Bruce Taafe started at hooker in the 1st Test, 11-30 loss to South Africa at Ellis Park.

1971

Prosser started all five Tests against South Africa (3) and France (2).

1972

In his final season of international rugby Prosser was capped in each of the six Tests played against France (2), New Zealand (3) and Fiji (1).