Vale James Victor Brown, Wallaby 414

The Australian Rugby community is mourning the loss of former Test Wallaby, Jim Brown who passed away last Tuesday.

A tough, robust and aggressive hooker, Brown earnt a reputation as a tireless worker who refused to take a backwards step on the field. 

Born in Sydney, the Wallaby hooker was educated at Rugby nursery Newington College where he played in the College’s 1st XV between 1949 and 1951. A powerful schoolboy, he gained selection in the GPS 1st XV, propelling his Rugby career at a representative level. 

After graduation Brown took his Rugby talents to Coogee Oval, plying his trade at Randwick where he made his First-Grade debut in 1953. Before subsequently playing his first provincial Rugby match for New South Wales against Queensland in 1955 in Brisbane.  

Following this Brown was selected to make his Test Debut in Sydney against South Africa, with his provincial form seeing him win selection ahead of incumbent Wallaby Hooker, Jim Cross. 

After debuting in Sydney Brown started in nine consecutive Tests for the national side, culminating in the Wallabies tour to the British Isles, France, and North America in early 1958 where Brown featured in the Wallabies team that played in Cardiff, London and Edinburgh. 

Brown will forever be Wallaby number 414.