List of Australia national rugby union team captains

Australia has played Test rugby since 1899. Test captains are listed chronologically from the first time they captained Australia in a Test match. Matches are exclusively those that have been granted Test status by the Australian Rugby Union regardless of whether the opposing team's governing body awarded the match Test status or not.

Headshot of George Greagan wearing a suit and tie
George Gregan, who played for his country between 1994 and 2007, holds the Australian record for Test appearances with 139. He captained the team in 59 Tests.

Captains

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Johnnie Wallace captained the 1927–28 New South Wales Waratahs that toured the Northern Hemisphere. The Australian Rugby Union later recognised the international matches from this tour as Test matches.
 
Paddy Moran led the Wallabies on the 1908 Tour.
Players to have captained the Australian rugby union team in a Test match
Number Name First Test
as captain
Last Test
as captain
Total Tests
as captain
Total Tests
as player
Refs
1 Frank Row 1899 1899 3 3 [1]
[2]
2 Bob McCowan 1899 1899 1 3 [3]
[4]
3 Stan Wickham 1903 1905 4 5 [5]
[6]
4 Frank Nicholson 1904 1904 1 2 [7]
[8]
5 Peter Burge 1907 1907 2 3 [9]
[10]
6 Allen Oxlade 1907 1907 1 4 [11]
[12]
7 Herbert Moran 1908 1908 1 1 [13]
[14]
8 Chris McKivat 1909 1909 1 4 [15]
[16]
9 Sydney Middleton 1910 1910 3 4 [17]
[18]
10 Ward Prentice 1912 1912 1 6 [19]
[20]
11 Ted Fahey 1913 1913 2 4 [21]
[22]
12 Larry Dwyer 1913 1913 1 8 [23]
[24]
13 Fred Wood 1914 1914 2 12 [25]
[26]
14 Jimmy Flynn 1914 1914 1 2 [27]
[28]
15 William Thornton 1920 1920 3 8 [29]
[30]
16 Alfred Walker 1922 1924 11 16 [31]
[32]
17 Darby Loudon 1922 1922 1 4 [33]
[34]
18 Walter Friend 1923 1923 3 10 [35]
[36]
19 Billy Sheehan 1923 1923 3 18 [37]
[38]
20 Ted Thorn 1924 1926 6 15 [39]
[40]
21 Charlie Fox 1925 1925 1 17 [41]
[42]
22 Tom Lawton, Snr 1925 1932 7 14 [43]
[44]
23 Johnnie Wallace 1926 1928 6 8 [45]
[46]
24 Syd Malcolm 1928 1933 6 18 [47]
[48]
25 Bob Loudon 1928 1928 1 13 [49]
[50]
26 Jimmy Clark 1931 1931 1 5 [51]
[52]
27 Dave Cowper 1933 1933 3 9 [53]
[54]
28 Alex Ross 1933 1934 3 20 [55]
[56]
29 Ron Walden 1936 1936 3 4 [57]
[58]
30 Cyril Towers 1937 1937 2 19 [59]
[60]
31 Vay Wilson 1938 1938 3 5 [61]
[62]
32 Bill McLean 1946 1947 4 5 [63]
[64]
33 Phil Hardcastle 1947 1947 1 5 [65]
[66]
34 Trevor Allan 1947 1949 10 14 [67]
[68]
35 Nev Cottrell 1950 1950 2 14 [69]
[70]
36 Keith Winning 1951 1951 1 1 [71]
[72]
37 Colin Windon 1951 1951 2 20 [73]
[74]
38 John Solomon 1952 1955 8 14 [75]
[76]
39 Nicholas Shehadie 1953 1954 3 30 [77]
[78]
40 Alan Cameron 1955 1956 4 20 [79]
[80]
41 Dick Tooth 1957 1957 2 10 [81]
[82]
42 Bob Davidson 1957 1958 6 13 [83]
[84]
43 Des Connor 1958 1958 2 12 [85]
[86]
44 Chilla Wilson 1958 1958 3 4 [87]
[88]
45 Peter Fenwicke 1959 1959 2 6 [89]
[90]
46 Ken Catchpole 1961 1968 13 27 [91]
[92]
47 Peter Johnson 1962 1968 5 42 [93]
[94]
48 Jim Lenehan 1962 1962 1 24 [95]
[96]
49 John Thornett 1962 1967 16 37 [97]
[98]
50 Greg Davis 1969 1972 16 39 [99]
[100]
51 Peter Sullivan 1972 1973 4 13 [101]
[102]
52 John Hipwell 1973 1975 9 36 [103]
[104]
53 Geoff Shaw 1975 1976 9 27 [105]
[106]
54 Tony Shaw 1978 1981 15 36 [107]
[108]
55 Mark Loane 1979 1982 6 28 [109]
[110]
56 Paul McLean 1980 1980 1 30 [111]
[112]
57 Mark Ella 1982 1983 10 25 [113]
[114]
58 Andrew Slack 1984 1987 19 39 [115]
[116]
59 Steve Williams 1985 1985 5 28 [117]
[118]
60 Simon Poidevin 1986 1987 4 59 [119]
[120]
61 David Codey 1987 1987 1 13 [121]
[122]
62 Michael Lynagh 1987 1995 15 72 [123]
[124]
63 Nick Farr-Jones 1988 1992 36 63 [125]
[126]
64 Phil Kearns 1992 1995 10 67 [127]
[128]
65 Rod McCall 1995 1995 1 71 [129]
[130]
66 John Eales 1996 2001 55 86 [131]
[132]
67 Tim Horan 1996 1996 1 80 [133]
[134]
68 David Wilson 1997 1999 9 79 [135]
[136]
69 Jason Little 1999 1999 1 75 [137]
[138]
70 George Gregan 2001 2007 59 139 [139]
[140]
71 Chris Whitaker 2003 2003 1 31 [141]
[142]
72 Nathan Sharpe 2004 2012 10 116 [143]
[144]
73 Phil Waugh 2006 2007 3 79 [145]
74 Stirling Mortlock 2006 2009 29 80 [146]
75 George Smith 2007 2009 7 111 [147]
76 Rocky Elsom 2009 2011 24 75 [148]
77 James Horwill 2011 2013 16 62 [149]
78 Will Genia 2011 2013 4 110 [150]
79 David Pocock 2012 2019 9 83 [151]
80 Ben Mowen 2013 2013 6 15 [152]
81 Stephen Moore 2014 2017 26 122 [153]
82 Michael Hooper 2014 2023 69 125 [a]
83 James Slipper 2015 2024 15* 140* [b]
84 Dean Mumm 2015 2015 1 57 [172]
85 Allan Alaalatoa 2022 2024 6* 76* [c]
86 Tate McDermott 2023 2023 1* 37* [175]
87 Will Skelton 2023 2023 2 33 [176]
88 Dave Porecki 2023 2023 3 20 [177]
89 Liam Wright 2024 2024 1 6 [178]
90 Harry Wilson 2024 incumbent 5* 19* [179]
Source: ESPN Scrum
  • Updated after the 2024 Rugby Championship on 5 November 2024.
  • * Indicates totals for players that are current members of the Wallaby squad.
  • Players in green remain active and eligible for Wallaby selection.
Notes
  1. ^ At the end of 2022, Michael Hooper had captained Australia in 68 test matches. He led the team in 64 tests prior to 8 November 2021.[154] He captained the team for a further 4 tests against England – an away match at Twickenham on 13 November 2021,[155] and a home series in June 2022.[156][157][158] Hooper has played 124 test matches.[159]
  2. ^ At the end of 2022, James Slipper had captained Australia in 12 test matches. His first test as captain was against the United States in 2015.[160] He then led the team against Wales on 20 November 2021,[161] followed by the six-test Rugby Championship in 2022,[162][163][164][165][166][167] and four tests on the end-of-year tour.[168][169][170][171] Slipper has played 127 test matches.[159]
  3. ^ Allan Alaalatoa became the 85th Wallabies captain on 12 November 2022.[173][174] He has played 64 test matches.[159]

See also

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Citations

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  1. ^ Howell 2005, p. 18.
  2. ^ "Frank Row". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  3. ^ Howell 2005, p. 20.
  4. ^ "Bob McCowan". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  5. ^ Howell 2005, p. 23.
  6. ^ "Stan Wickham". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  7. ^ Howell 2005, p. 25.
  8. ^ "Frank Nicholson". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  9. ^ Howell 2005, p. 27.
  10. ^ "Peter Burge". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  11. ^ Howell 2005, p. 29.
  12. ^ "Allen Oxlade". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  13. ^ Howell 2005, p. 38.
  14. ^ "Herbert Moran". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  15. ^ Howell 2005, p. 44.
  16. ^ "Chris McKivat". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  17. ^ Howell 2005, p. 47.
  18. ^ "Sydney Middleton". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  19. ^ Howell 2005, p. 50.
  20. ^ "Ward Prentice". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  21. ^ Howell 2005, p. 53.
  22. ^ "Ted Fahey". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  23. ^ Howell 2005, p. 57.
  24. ^ "Larry Dwyer". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  25. ^ Howell 2005, p. 63.
  26. ^ "Fred Wood". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  27. ^ Howell 2005, p. 67.
  28. ^ "Jimmy Flynn". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  29. ^ Howell 2005, p. 70.
  30. ^ "William Thornton". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  31. ^ Howell 2005, p. 73.
  32. ^ "Alfred Walker". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  33. ^ Howell 2005, p. 75.
  34. ^ "Darby Loudon". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  35. ^ Howell 2005, p. 77.
  36. ^ "Walter Friend". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  37. ^ Howell 2005, p. 81.
  38. ^ "Billy Sheehan". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  39. ^ Howell 2005, p. 84.
  40. ^ "Ted Thorn". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  41. ^ Howell 2005, p. 87.
  42. ^ "Charlie Fox". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  43. ^ Howell 2005, p. 91.
  44. ^ "Tom Lawton, Snr". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  45. ^ Howell 2005, p. 94.
  46. ^ "Johnnie Wallace". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  47. ^ Howell 2005, p. 97.
  48. ^ "Syd Malcolm". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  49. ^ Howell 2005, p. 99.
  50. ^ "Bob Loudon". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  51. ^ Howell 2005, p. 101.
  52. ^ "Jimmy Clark". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  53. ^ Howell 2005, p. 104.
  54. ^ "Dave Cowper". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  55. ^ Howell 2005, p. 109.
  56. ^ "Alex Ross". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  57. ^ Howell 2005, p. 112.
  58. ^ "Ron Walden". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  59. ^ Howell 2005, p. 116.
  60. ^ "Cyril Towers". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  61. ^ Howell 2005, p. 119.
  62. ^ "Vay Wilson". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  63. ^ Howell 2005, p. 123.
  64. ^ "Bill McLean". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  65. ^ Howell 2005, p. 126.
  66. ^ "Phil Hardcastle". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  67. ^ Howell 2005, p. 129.
  68. ^ "Trevor Allan". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  69. ^ Howell 2005, p. 132.
  70. ^ "Nev Cottrell". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  71. ^ Howell 2005, p. 134.
  72. ^ "Keith Winning". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  73. ^ Howell 2005, p. 139.
  74. ^ "Colin Windon". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  75. ^ Howell 2005, p. 144.
  76. ^ "John Solomon". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  77. ^ Howell 2005, p. 148.
  78. ^ "Nicholas Shehadie". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  79. ^ Howell 2005, p. 151.
  80. ^ "Alan Cameron". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  81. ^ Howell 2005, p. 154.
  82. ^ "Dick Tooth". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  83. ^ Howell 2005, p. 158.
  84. ^ "Bob Davidson". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  85. ^ Howell 2005, p. 161.
  86. ^ "Des Connor". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  87. ^ Howell 2005, p. 165.
  88. ^ "Charles Wilson". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  89. ^ Howell 2005, p. 168.
  90. ^ "Peter Fenwicke". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  91. ^ Howell 2005, p. 173.
  92. ^ "Ken Catchpole". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  93. ^ Howell 2005, p. 177.
  94. ^ "Peter Johnson". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  95. ^ Howell 2005, p. 181.
  96. ^ "Jim Lenehan". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  97. ^ Howell 2005, p. 185.
  98. ^ "John Thornett". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  99. ^ Howell 2005, p. 189.
  100. ^ "Greg Davis". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  101. ^ Howell 2005, p. 193.
  102. ^ "Peter Sullivan". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  103. ^ Howell 2005, p. 197.
  104. ^ "John Hipwell". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  105. ^ Howell 2005, p. 201.
  106. ^ "Geoff Shaw". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  107. ^ Howell 2005, p. 207.
  108. ^ "Tony Shaw". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  109. ^ Howell 2005, p. 212.
  110. ^ "Mark Loane". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  111. ^ Howell 2005, p. 216.
  112. ^ "Paul McLean". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  113. ^ Howell 2005, p. 220.
  114. ^ "Mark Ella". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  115. ^ Howell 2005, p. 225.
  116. ^ "Andrew Slack". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  117. ^ Howell 2005, p. 229.
  118. ^ "Steve Williams". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  119. ^ Howell 2005, p. 234.
  120. ^ "Simon Poidevin". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  121. ^ Howell 2005, p. 237.
  122. ^ "David Codey". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  123. ^ Howell 2005, p. 243.
  124. ^ "Michael Lynagh". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  125. ^ Howell 2005, p. 251.
  126. ^ "Nick Farr-Jones". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  127. ^ Howell 2005, p. 258.
  128. ^ "Phil Kearns". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  129. ^ Howell 2005, p. 262.
  130. ^ "Rod McCall". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  131. ^ Howell 2005, p. 270.
  132. ^ "John Eales". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  133. ^ Howell 2005, p. 275.
  134. ^ "Tim Horan". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  135. ^ Howell 2005, p. 281.
  136. ^ "David Wilson". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  137. ^ Howell 2005, p. 284.
  138. ^ "Jason Little". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  139. ^ Howell 2005, p. 289.
  140. ^ "George Gregan". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  141. ^ Howell 2005, p. 292.
  142. ^ "Chris Whitaker". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  143. ^ Howell 2005, p. 295.
  144. ^ "Nathan Sharpe". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  145. ^ "Phil Waugh". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  146. ^ "Stirling Mortlock". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  147. ^ "George Smith". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  148. ^ "Rocky Elsom". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  149. ^ "James Horwill". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  150. ^ "Will Genia". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  151. ^ "David Pocock". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  152. ^ "Ben Mowen". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  153. ^ "Stephen Moore". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  154. ^ "Michael Hooper". ESPN. Archived from the original on 29 November 2022.
  155. ^ "England 32-15 Australia". rugby.com.au. 2 July 2022. Archived from the original on 28 November 2022.
  156. ^ "Wallabies defy injuries, cards for famous win over England". rugby.com.au. 2 July 2022.
  157. ^ "England level series with tough win over battered Wallabies". rugby.com.au. 2 July 2022.
  158. ^ "England hold on to claim Ella-Mobbs Cup - Rugby Australia6". rugby.com.au. 16 July 2022.
  159. ^ a b c "Most Appearances for Australia". rugbydatabase.co.nz. Archived from the original on 28 November 2022.
  160. ^ "James Slipper". ESPN. Archived from the original on 29 November 2022.
  161. ^ "Wales 29-28 Australia: Rhys Priestland seals narrow victory after nervy end to autumn finale". Wales Online. 20 November 2021. Archived from the original on 28 November 2022.
  162. ^ "Wallabies secure comeback victory over Argentina despite Cooper injury". rugby.com.au. 2 August 2022.
  163. ^ "Argentina too strong for Wallabies". rugby.com.au. 14 August 2022.
  164. ^ "Koroibete magic powers Wallabies to victory over Springboks". rugby.com.au. 27 August 2022.
  165. ^ "Springboks prove too strong for Wallabies". rugby.com.au. 2 September 2022.
  166. ^ "All Blacks claim victory on the siren". rugby.com.au. 14 September 2022.
  167. ^ "All Blacks claim victory on the siren". rugby.com.au. 24 September 2022.
  168. ^ "Wallabies hold on for hard-fought victory over Scotland". rugby.com.au. 30 October 2022.
  169. ^ "France escape with victory over Wallabies". rugby.com.au. 5 November 2022.
  170. ^ "Ireland hold on to defeat valiant, wounded Wallabies". rugby.com.au. 19 November 2022.
  171. ^ "Wallabies stun Wales to claim remarkable comeback victory". rugby.com.au. 26 November 2022.
  172. ^ "Dean Mumm". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  173. ^ "Alan Alaalatoa named 85th Wallabies captain for Italy Test". The Guardian. 10 November 2022. Archived from the original on 23 November 2022.
  174. ^ "Italy hold on to defeat Wallabies". rugby.com.au. 12 November 2022.
  175. ^ "McDermott to become 86th Wallabies captain, Fa'amausili earns first start". Wallabies. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  176. ^ "Australia Name Squad for Rugby World Cup 2023". Rugby World Cup. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  177. ^ "Wallabies captain Will Skelton ruled out of Fiji game". Wallabies. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  178. ^ "Liam Wright to lead Wallabies against Wales in Sydney". Wallabies. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  179. ^ "Wilson to lead as Stewart set to debut in La Plata". Wallabies. Retrieved 5 November 2024.

References

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