Jim Phipps (rugby union)

James Alfred Phipps (31 December 1931 — 22 October 2021) was an Australian rugby union international.[1]

Jim Phipps
Full nameJames Alfred Phipps
Date of birth(1931-12-31)31 December 1931
Place of birthBatavia, Java,
Dutch East Indies
Date of death22 October 2021(2021-10-22) (aged 89)
SchoolBarker College
Occupation(s)Farmer
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1953–56 Australia 11 (3)

Biography

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Phipps, son of a tea merchant, was born in Batavia in the Dutch East Indies. At the beginning of World War II, the Phipps family left for Sydney and lived in the now heritage listed Briars estate in the suburb of Wahroonga. He was educated at Barker College along with his three brothers, Bob, John and Peter, who all played first-grade rugby for Gordon.[2]

An outside centre, Phipps made his first-grade debut for Gordon in the 1950 grand final loss to Manly.[3] He was capped 11 times for the Wallabies between 1953 and 1956, without missing a Test match. After debuting on the 1953 tour of South Africa, he played a home series against Fiji in 1954, then the following year toured New Zealand and had his brother Peter as a centre partner for some of the uncapped tour matches. His final Test appearances were at home against the Springboks in 1956. He was on the 1957–58 tour of Britain, Ireland and France, but broke his leg in an early fixture and was ruled out of the international fixtures.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Walton, Darren (28 October 2021). "Vale Wallaby No.399 Jim Phipps". The Canberra Times.
  2. ^ Bell, Matt (15 February 2019). "Rent this Wahroonga home with links to the Wallabies and Napoleon". North Shore Times. realestate.com.au.
  3. ^ "Two Sent Off As Manly Takes Rough R. U. Final". The Sunday Herald (Sydney). 17 September 1950. p. 9 (Sports Section) – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ "James Alfred Phipps". classicwallabies.com.au.
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