Thomas Murray Bowman

Born in Tamworth, Tom Bowman was a strong jumping, surprisingly agile lock who partnered with the great John Eales in one of Australia’s most successful seasons of all-time. Bowman was introduced to rugby in the U10s with the Barraba Junior Rugby Club before he left for Sydney to board at The Scots College. A rugby ‘A’ grader through all of the age groups, Bowman played three years of 1st XV (1992-94). He represented the GPS 1st XV, the NSW 1st XV and Australian Schools in each of his final two years. In his first year out of school Bowman played for Australia at both U19 and U21 levels. He played three successive years of U21s and won a World Championship.

Bowman signed his first contract with New South Wales for the 1998 Super Rugby season but had made his debut two years earlier, against Canada in Newcastle before he had turned 20. Bowman made his Test debut in the first match of the 1998 domestic series, against England at Ballymore and played in all 12 Tests that year. The following year he was a member of Australia’s Rugby World Cup winning squad. Tom Bowman played 16 Tests for Australia in his two year international career.

Highlights

1995

Australian U19s & U21s in Argentina.

1996

Represented Australian U21s.

1997

Represented Australian U21s when they won the Southern Hemisphere tournament.

1998

Bowman won his first Test cap in the run-on XV at lock in the 76-0 demolition of England at Ballymore. He played in all 12 Tests of the season. Bowman scored his first Test try when he picked up a loose pass from Jason Little on the attacking 22 metre line, sidestepped All Black great Jonah Lomu, broke out of a tackle from Justin Marshall and beat a despairing dive from Zinzan Brooke in the 27-23 2nd Test victory over New Zealand in Christchurch.

1999

Bowman started the opening two Tests against Ireland and the 2nd Test against South Africa as John Welborn and then Mark Connors were given an opportunity to stake their claims ahead of the Rugby World Cup. He was selected in the Australian squad for the tournament however the return from injury of John Eales saw Bowman win just one cap, in the pool game win against the United States in Limerick.