Damien John Frawley

Damien Frawley was a strapping lock forward who emerged at a time when Australia’s second-row stocks were dominated by the towering pair of Steve Cutler and Bill Campbell. Born in Rockhampton, Frawley was educated at St. Joseph's Christian Brother's College, Gregory Terrace where he played three seasons (1978-80) in the 1st XV and from there he went on to represent Australian School alongside fellow future Wallabies Tom Lawton, Steve Tuynman, Brett Papworth, Cameron Lillicrap, Greg Burrows and Mick Murray. Frawley then found himself in stiff competition with David Hillhouse, Nigel Holt, Campbell and Troy Coker just to be picked for his state let alone his country.

In 1985 he made his Queensland debut against Wellington at Athletic Park and the following year impressed against both France and Argentina. Frawley’s good form for Queensland justifiably earned him a bench spot, and ultimately a first cap following an injury to Steve Tuynman, for the second Test of the home series against Argentina in Sydney. In 1988 Frawley firmly established himself alongside Cutler as the premier Wallaby lock combination before Campbell returned from his sojourn to Oxford in 1989 to partner Cutler in the home series against the British Lions. Damien Frawley played 10 Tests for Australia in a three-year international career.

Highlights

1979

Represented Australian Schools in both Tests against England Schools.

1980

Represented Australian Schools against Irish Schools and New Zealand Schools.

1983

Selected in the Australian U21s squad for their tour of New Zealand.

1986

Frawley won his first Test cap off the bench when he replaced Steve Tuynman at No.8 and then switched with Ross Reynolds to lock in the 2nd Test, 26-0 victory over Argentina at the S.C.G.

1987

Frawley was selected on the Wallaby tour to South America and started both Argentine Tests alongside Steve Cutler.

1988

Frawley started seven of the Wallabies eight Tests in partnership with Cutler.