William Kevin Young

Bill Young was an unheralded loose head prop who debuted during a golden era for Australian rugby. Sometimes fiery, always solid, durable and hard-working, Young was not a behemoth in the context of modern day front row forwards however he did have immense pride in his pack being technically correct. He was born in Sydney and attended St. Joseph’s College in Hunters Hill from where he went on to represent nationally at U21s level in 1995.

In 1998 Young signed with the Brumbies and the following year made his Super Rugby debut against the Hurricanes in Canberra. In 2000, Young was picked in the Wallaby squad for the end-of-season Spring Tour and made his Test debut against France in Paris. He quickly established himself as the Wallabies first choice loose head and in 2003 packed down alongside Al Baxter and Brendan Cannon in the final of the 2003 Rugby World Cup against England. In 2006, Young announced his retirement from rugby due to a debilitating neck injury that caused numbness in his left arm. Bill Young played 46 Tests for Australia, incredibly all of which were in the run-on XV, over his six-year international career.

Highlights

1995

Represented Australia U21s in the Southern Hemisphere World Cup in Argentina.

2000

Young won his first Test cap as the starting loosehead prop in the 18-13 victory over France in Paris. He was also capped against both Scotland and England.

2001

Young suffered a knee injury in the Super Rugby final which ruled him out for the rest of the season.

2002

Young played nine of the Wallabies’ 10 Tests and only missed the 9-18 loss to Ireland in Dublin.

2003

Young won a career high 13 caps and selection to his first Rugby World Cup. He started in six of the seven matches, including all three finals.

2004

He started all 12 Tests of the season alongside his tight head partner Al Baxter.

2005

Young played in each of the opening nine Tests but missed the Spring Tour due to a groin injury coupled with the need for an off season as directed by coach Eddie Jones