Samuel Joseph Norman Scott-Young

Sam Scott-Young was a combative and abrasive backrow forward who showed scant regard for reputation when locked in battle on the rugby field.

Born and bred in Townsville, Scott-Young came to Brisbane from Townsville Grammar School and attended Marist Brothers’ College, Ashgrove. From there he earned selection for Australian Schools on their undefeated tour of the U.K. and Europe.

In 1987 Scott-Young made his Queensland debut against Fiji at Ballymore but then waited three seasons behind Tim Gavin, Simon Poidevin, Jeff Miller, David Carter and Scott Gourley before he earned a shot at higher honours.

In 1990 Scott-Young made his Test debut against France in Brisbane however he will be long remembered for his effort in the third Test against New Zealand. An eleventh-hour replacement for Brendan Nasser, Scott-Young’s fire and brimstone approach was well valued and he emerged as man of the match in the Wallabies 21-9 victory.

Two years later Scott-Young played a key role in the Wallabies’ first Bledisloe Cup series win since 1986. Amazingly he winked and smiled at rival props Olo Brown and Richard Loe during the second Test haka and lived to tell the tale.

Scott-Young went on to win three of the four Tests he played against the All Blacks, an enviable record indeed.

He retired from all levels of rugby in 1994 after it was discovered that he had a severely ruptured disc just below the neck, one that required surgery to remove the disc, and fuse the joints.

Highlights

1985/86

Represented Australian Schools against New Zealand Schools and was selected in the squad for the tour to the U.K. and Europe.

1990

Scott-Young won his first Test cap as the starting blindside flanker in the 2nd Test, 48-31 defeat of France at Ballymore. He earned three more caps as a replacement, at No.8 in the 3rd Test of the French series, at No.6 against the United States and as the blindside flanker in the 21-9, 3rd Test victory over New Zealand in Wellington.

1992

Scott Young played at No.8 in each Test of the three match home series against New Zealand.