Sean Peter Hardman

Sean Hardman was a no-frills hooker who treasured the tradition and honour of representing Queensland and Australia.

Born in Sydney but educated at Nudgee College in Brisbane, Hardman was, aside from being a keen scrum technician, always known as a conscientious, hard worker and a great team man. He played in the Nudgee 1st XV in both 1994 and 1995 and from there won selection for Australian Schools. After graduation Hardman joined the Brothers’ rugby union club in Brisbane and in 1998 represented Australia in the SANZAR / UAR U21 tournament.

The following year he made his debut for Queensland against Auckland at Ballymore and twelve months on played his first Super Rugby match against the Highlanders’ formidable All Black front row of Kees Meeuws, Anton Oliver and Carl Hoeft at Carisbrook.

In 2002, Hardman was called into the Wallaby squad after Jeremy Paul was ruled out with a rib cartilage problem and he made his Test debut against France in Sydney. Due to the presence of Paul, Brendan Cannon and Adam Freier, and in the years to come Stephen Moore and Tatafu Polota-Nau, a second cap proved elusive however Hardman never relinquished the desire to represent his country. Hardman’s commitment was rewarded with three more caps and selection to the 2007 Rugby World Cup. That same year Hardman became the first Queenslander to win 100 Super Rugby caps.

In 2012, Hardman brought down the curtain on his 14-year provincial career when he retired as the Reds’ most capped player of all-time (148).

Highlights

1994/95

Represented Australian Schools as a prop, not a hooker, against Wales Schools, Ireland Schools, Scotland Schools, France Schools and England Schools.

1998

Represented Australian U21s in South Africa

2002

Hardman won his first Test cap off the bench when he replaced Brendan Cannon at hooker in the 31-25, 2nd Test victory over France in Sydney.

2006

He earned a second cap as a replacement in the 1st Test, 49-0 win against South Africa in Brisbane

2007

Hardman earned his final two caps in the wins over South Africa in Sydney and Canada at Bordeaux. He never walked off the field in a losing Australian Test team.