Warwick William Waugh

Warwick Waugh was an athletic lock forward who proved a prolific winner of lineout ball but also used his physical attributes to great advantage in the tight phases. A player who experienced and promoted the camaraderie of the game better than most, Waugh was surprisingly mobile for such a big man, at 203 cms and 125 kgs, and more often than not resembled a good backrower with his ball skills, speed around the paddock and sound tackling style. He was also passionate. It was catalytic in its nature and had grown out of the affection and gratitude that he felt towards the Randwick Club, the wellspring of his rugby career.

Born and raised in Goondiwindi, Queensland, Waugh was sent to Sydney as a boarder at The Scots College where he had his first exposure to rowing and rugby. In his two final years Waugh both rowed in the First VIII and played in the 1st XV. He then joined the Randwick club and enjoyed phenomenal success. Waugh played in seven Grand Finals (1990, ‘92, ‘94, ‘96, 2000, ‘03 & ‘04) and won six.

In 1991 he debuted for New South Wales against Rosario in Argentina and a year later was in the national squad for both the first tour of South Africa in 23 years and the end-of-season tour to the U.K. and Ireland. In 1993, and with John Eales unavailable due to injury, Waugh was picked for the home internationals against South Africa and made his debut in the first Test in Sydney.

In 1995 Waugh was selected to his first Rugby World Cup and went on to play a total of eight Tests for Australia in his five-year international career.

Highlights

1993

Waugh won his first Test cap when he partnered Rod McCall at lock in the 1st Test, 12-19 loss to South Africa in Sydney.

1995

Waugh was selected to his first Rugby World Cup where he played in the pool game against Canada in Port Elizabeth. He was also capped in both Bledisloe Cup Tests.

1996

He was picked in the Wallaby squad for the end-of-season Spring Tour and started two Tests, against Scotland and Ireland, both alongside John Eales.

1997

Waugh was named in the tour to Argentina and the U.K. where he played in both Tests against the Pumas.