Rugby Australia and the Australian Rugby community is today mourning the loss of renowned Australian journalist, and author, Greg Growden.
Rugby Australia interim Chief Executive Rob Clarke said: “On behalf of Rugby Australia and the Rugby community, I would like pass on my condolences to Greg’s family and friends.
“Greg was widely respected both here in Australia and abroad, and made an exceptional contribution to our game.
“He was fearless and kept numerous coaches - and administrations - to account over his 40 years in the game.
“He will be remembered fondly and his legacy will still be felt for generations, thanks to his generosity as a mentor to young journalists around Australia,” Clarke said.
Speaking with the Sydney Morning Herald, Wallabies legend David Campese said: "As a mate, he was a guy who you knew was there for you, if you needed him."
"In those early days we would go on nine-game tours of New Zealand and things, so we saw the rugby journos all the time.
"They stayed with us, came drinking with us. There was a lot of trust there.
"Growdy and I kept in contact over the years and you just get a mateship going. He told it like he saw it, and that's why the guys trusted him.
"We would talk on the phone often. You think someone is going to be around a lot longer. It's just a sad day."
Also to the Herald, former Wallabies coaches Robbie Deans, Eddie Jones and Bob Dywer who all expressed their condolences to the Growden family.
Robbie Deans said: "It was with a lot of sadness I learned of the passing of Greg," Deans said from Japan. "He was obviously a well recognised media personality but, more importantly, a tremendous bloke who had genuine passion for the game of rugby, and a great sense of humour. My thoughts go out to his family."
Eddie Jones said: "He was a good rugby man. We had constant running battles, all professional," Jones said from London.
"He had the most incredible network of sources, he was very well connected. At the Brumbies we had a running fight with the Sydney media mafia, it was a tough period. But things warmed up again post-Wallabies. I never carry a grudge.
"He was a good man."
Former Wallabies coach Bob Dwyer said: "He was humble and he approached the game with a desire to ask questions and learn.
"As a consequence, he became incredibly knowledgeable about rugby.
"All you can do in this world is make your mark. And Greg made his mark."
