List of Australia national rugby union team captains

Headshot of George Greagan wearing a suit and tie
George Gregan, who played for his country between 1994 and 2007, captained the team in 59 Tests.

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.

Captains

full body shot of Johnnie Wallace wearing his playing strip and boots
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
1Frank Row 1899189933 [1]
[2]
2Bob McCowan 1899189913 [3]
[4]
3Stan Wickham 1903190545 [5]
[6]
4Frank Nicholson 1904190412 [7]
[8]
5Peter Burge 1907190723 [9]
[10]
6Allen Oxlade 1907190714 [11]
[12]
7Herbert Moran 1908190811 [13]
[14]
8Chris McKivat 1909190914 [15]
[16]
9Sydney Middleton 1910191034 [17]
[18]
10Ward Prentice 1912191216 [19]
[20]
11Ted Fahey 1913191324 [21]
[22]
12Larry Dwyer 1913191318 [23]
[24]
13Fred Wood 19141914212 [25]
[26]
14Jimmy Flynn 1914191412 [27]
[28]
15William Thornton 1920192038 [29]
[30]
16Alfred Walker 192219241116 [31]
[32]
17Darby Loudon 1922192214 [33]
[34]
18Walter Friend 19231923310 [35]
[36]
19Billy Sheehan 19231923318 [37]
[38]
20Ted Thorn 19241926615 [39]
[40]
21Charlie Fox 19251925117 [41]
[42]
22Tom Lawton, Snr 19251932714 [43]
[44]
23Johnnie Wallace 1926192868 [45]
[46]
24Syd Malcolm 19281933618 [47]
[48]
25Bob Loudon 19281928113 [49]
[50]
26Jimmy Clark 1931193115 [51]
[52]
27Dave Cowper 1933193339 [53]
[54]
28Alex Ross 19331934320 [55]
[56]
29Ron Walden 1936193634 [57]
[58]
30Cyril Towers 19371937219 [59]
[60]
31Vay Wilson 1938193835 [61]
[62]
32Bill McLean 1946194745 [63]
[64]
33Phil Hardcastle 1947194715 [65]
[66]
34Trevor Allan 194719491014 [67]
[68]
35Nev Cottrell 19501950214 [69]
[70]
36Keith Winning 1951195111 [71]
[72]
37Colin Windon 19511951220 [73]
[74]
38John Solomon 19521955814 [75]
[76]
39Nicholas Shehadie 19531954330 [77]
[78]
40Alan Cameron 19551956420 [79]
[80]
41Dick Tooth 19571957210 [81]
[82]
42Bob Davidson 19571958613 [83]
[84]
43Des Connor 19581958212 [85]
[86]
44Chilla Wilson 1958195834 [87]
[88]
45Peter Fenwicke 1959195926 [89]
[90]
46Ken Catchpole 196119681327 [91]
[92]
47Peter Johnson 19621968542 [93]
[94]
48Jim Lenehan 19621962124 [95]
[96]
49John Thornett 196219671637 [97]
[98]
50Greg Davis 196919721639 [99]
[100]
51Peter Sullivan 19721973413 [101]
[102]
52John Hipwell 19731975936 [103]
[104]
53Geoff Shaw 19751976927 [105]
[106]
54Tony Shaw 197819811536 [107]
[108]
55Mark Loane 19791982628 [109]
[110]
56Paul McLean 19801980130 [111]
[112]
57Mark Ella 198219831025 [113]
[114]
58Andrew Slack 198419871939 [115]
[116]
59Steve Williams 19851985528 [117]
[118]
60Simon Poidevin 19861987459 [119]
[120]
61David Codey 19871987113 [121]
[122]
62Michael Lynagh 198719951572 [123]
[124]
63Nick Farr-Jones 198819923663 [125]
[126]
64Phil Kearns 199219951067 [127]
[128]
65Rod McCall 19951995171 [129]
[130]
66John Eales 199620015586 [131]
[132]
67Tim Horan 19961996180 [133]
[134]
68David Wilson 19971999979 [135]
[136]
69Jason Little 19991999175 [137]
[138]
70George Gregan 2001200759139 [139]
[140]
71Chris Whitaker 20032003131 [141]
[142]
72Nathan Sharpe 2004201210116 [143]
[144]
73Phil Waugh 20062007379 [145]
74Stirling Mortlock 200620092980 [146]
75George Smith 200720097111 [147]
76Rocky Elsom 200920112475 [148]
77James Horwill 201120131662 [149]
78Will Genia 201120134110 [150]
79David Pocock 20122019983 [151]
80Ben Mowen 20132013615 [152]
81Stephen Moore 2014201726122 [153]
82Michael Hooper 2014202369125 [154]
83James Slipper 2015202415154 [155]
84Dean Mumm 20152015157 [156]
85Allan Alaalatoa 202220268*93* [157]
86Tate McDermott 202320231*55* [158]
87Will Skelton 20232023237 [159]
88Dave Porecki 20232023321 [160]
89Liam Wright 2024202416 [161]
90Harry Wilson 2024incumbent25*41* [162]
91Fraser McReight 202520251*44* [163]
92Nick Champion de Crespigny 2025202515 [164]
Source: ESPN Scrum
  • Updated after the series against Japan on 15 August 2026.
  • * Indicates totals for players that are current members of the Wallaby squad.
  • Players in green remain active and eligible for Wallaby selection.
Notes

See also

Citations

  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 named as Wallabies captain for second Test against France". ABC News. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  155. ↑ "Wallabies v USA Eagles: Australia win Test match 47-10 at Soldier Field, Chicago". Fox Sports. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  156. ↑ "Dean Mumm". ESPN. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  157. ↑ "Alaalatoa to captain, Nawaqanitawase and Donaldson to debut in Italy". ESPN. Retrieved 23 July 2026.
  158. ↑ "McDermott to become 86th Wallabies captain, Fa'amausili earns first start". Wallabies. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  159. ↑ "Australia Name Squad for Rugby World Cup 2023". Rugby World Cup. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  160. ↑ "Wallabies captain Will Skelton ruled out of Fiji game". Wallabies. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  161. ↑ "Liam Wright to lead Wallabies against Wales in Sydney". Wallabies. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  162. ↑ "Wilson to lead as Stewart set to debut in La Plata". Wallabies. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  163. ↑ "Toole to debut, McReight to captain the Wallabies in Cape Town". Wallabies. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  164. ↑ "Champion de Crespigny to skipper Wallabies in Tokyo". Rugby AU. Retrieved 22 November 2025.

References

  • Howell, Max (2005). Born to Lead – Wallaby Test Captains. Auckland, New Zealand: Celebrity Books. ISBN 1-877252-18-2.
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