Stephen Michael John Lidbury

Steve Lidbury was a tough as teak back-rower, an enforcer if there ever was one, whose career benefited from the tutelage of one of Australia’s greatest-ever forwards, Tony Miller. Powerful but agile, Lidbury was educated at Pittwater High School on Sydney’s northern peninsula and played sub-district footy for the Newport Rugby Club. He then joined Warringah and alongside Steve Temple, Dave Purll and Rick Black formed a forward pack that terrorised their Shute Shield opposition.

He debuted for Sydney against the U.S.A. in 1983 and the following year played his first match for New South Wales against Waikato. Lidbury was seen as a definite candidate for the Wallabies’ 1984 tour to the U.K. and Ireland but ultimately missed selection. Three years later he was a reserve for the Wallaby squad at the inaugural Rugby World Cup but did receive any game time during the tournament.Finally his consistent efforts were rewarded when selected for the 1987 tour of South America and he made his Test debut against Argentina in Buenos Aires. Lidbury played his second and final Test against England in 1988 before he switched codes to play rugby league for the Canberra Raiders.

Highlights

1987

Lidbury won his first Test cap as the starting No.8 alongside Jeff Miller and Simon Poidevin on the flanks in the 1st Test, 19-19 draw with Argentina in Buenos Aires.

1988

Lidbury earned his second cap on the side of the scrum in the 2nd Test, 28-8 victory over England in Sydney.