NSW Waratahs name their inaugural Hall of Fame Inductees

The NSW Waratahs 2024 Season Awards Night had a unique and prestigious twist last night with the club unveiling their inaugural list of Hall of Fame inductees and the Alumni Capping Presentation.

CLICK HERE to see the full list of 2024 NSW Waratahs Season Awards winners.

Throughout the storied 150-year history of Rugby Union in NSW, there is an abundance of legendary names which have donned the famous cambridge blue Waratahs jersey.

So, as you can imagine, coming up with the inaugural Hall of Fame was no easy task.

At a Board Meeting in February this year, a Sub-Committee comprising of Matt Burke (President), John Morrison (Deputy Chair), Steve Johnson (NSWRU Honorary Archivist/statistician), Ian Kennedy (Former Waratah Coach), Ron Graham (Life Member), Larry Thomson (Country Women’s Rugby), Erin Morton (Sydney Women’s Rugby) and Mark Green (Admin) was formed to name the inaugural Waratahs Hall of Fame.

In total, there were 47 male inductees and 15 female inductees.

For the male inductees, it was agreed that the ‘Greatest Team Ever’ that was announced in 1999 for the NSW Rugby Union’s 125th anniversary be included as inductees.

It was also decided that all 13 Waratahs who are in the Wallabies Hall of Fame be included as inductees.

The Sub-Committee then reviewed a long list of Waratahs players by decade. In an effort to refine the search, it was agreed that one player per decade be selected for inclusion.

In regards to the women inductees, between 2002 and 2017 there was no NSW Waratahs Women’s team selected.  Instead during these years Sydney and Country participated at National Championships in their own right.

This was due to the strength of these respective teams and in turn the lack of strength of other State teams.  As such there are several players, who through no fault of their own, are listed as inductees but never had the opportunity to represent the Waratahs (only Sydney/Country and then the Wallaroos).

The Hall of Fame, including legendary figures such as David Campese, Bronnie Mackintosh, Simon Poidevin, and Phil Waugh, was presented to the crowd at the conclusion of the night to a rousing standing ovation.

Terms of Reference for Future Inductees

• The NSW Waratahs Hall of Fame provides the foremost recognition of NSW Rugby players who have achieved outstanding success on the field.  However, a players off-field activities would be a consideration but not the main consideration. 
• On-field performance includes – number of caps, points, leadership, awards and accolades, records, years of playing/longevity, consistency and sportsmanship. 
• Players need to be retired from playing the game for 5 years.
• Consideration of the number of games played for NSW compared to other teams is a factor.
• It was agreed that up to 5 players could be inducted annually from 2025.  After the initial intake in 2024.
• A list of Inductees would be publicly displayed at the NSWRU Centre of Excellence.

Process for Induction

• Via nomination by the NSW Rugby / Waratah Board.
• Via nomination by the “Hall of Fame” Sub-Committee.
• Via nomination by third party (i.e. player, club, supporter, family). 
• Annually, the NSWRU will publicly call for nominations for the Hall of Fame.

Alumni Capping Presentation

The night also featured a special NSW Waratahs Alumni Capping Presentation. In 2024, all 25 male and female debutants received a cap for their Waratahs debuts.

But between 1950 and 2012, the NSW Waratahs didn’t award debutants with a cap in honour of their first match for the club.

Instead, the debutants were presented with blazers.

Similarly, women’s caps weren’t handed out between 1993 to 2017, until the Super Rugby W commenced in 2018.

In a proud moment for the club, the Waratahs presented caps to all present alumni that missed out on caps for their debuts.

The oldest living Waratah Donald Strachan and the President of NSW Rugby Union and a Waratahs legend in his own right, Matt Burke, had the honour of presenting the caps to the present alumni.

“Rugby Union in NSW has a proud history across 150 years, and an exciting future ahead,” CEO Paul Doorn said.

“This was a special initiative to honour some of our greatest ever players as well as pay tribute to past alumni that missed out on their debutant caps during their playing careers.”