Massimo De Lutiis will be a trivia answer for the ages when the young prop runs out on the field on Saturday against Japan in Townsville.
The prop joins a group that’s as rare as it comes. There are more billionaires in the world, yet the honour remains priceless to those who have earned it.
Watch every second of the Wallabies' Tests against Japan live and on demand via Stan Sport.
It starts with #1: forward Patrick Carew, who played in the inaugural Test against Great Britain in 1899.
Carew was one of the finest sports players of his generation, labelled the greatest Australian sportsman of all time by legendary Australian sports writer J.C. Davis of The Referee in the early 1900s.
He would be one of four players to take part in all four Tests against the British in 1899, alongside Charlie Ellis, Stephen ‘Lonnie’ Spragg and Peter ‘Ginger’ Ward, named player of the match in the third match.
It was his only appearances for his country, achieving success in cricket and athletics later in his life, and he was inducted into the Queanbeyan Hall of Fame after retiring there post-sporting career.
Granddaughter Anne Jensen (nee Bootes) still has his Wallabies cap from that Test in 1899, set to be in Townsville for the historic Test after the family was at the 1999 Centenary Test, presenting George Gregan with a cap.
“We’re all seriously proud,” she said.
Given Carew’s pedigree, it’s no surprise to see the sporting prowess continue throughout the family, with both sides filled with decorated sporting athletes, including Matt Jensen, found of MJ Bale, who won two Oxford Blues.
The connection remains to this day on both sides of the family, with Easts and NSW Waratahs Academy Head of Athletic Performance Robert Jamieson one of several family members still connected to the game.
“It’s wonderful. It’s been passed down the female line with my mum, who was a good athlete and I was one as well so I’m hoping the grandchildren will be as well,” Jensen said.
“They’re all showing signs of being really good little athletes and swimmers which it seems to have passed down the generations because each generation are athletes.”
The current living links of the Wallabies jersey extend back to Wallaby #413 Don Strachan, the oldest at 97.
The loosehead prop debuted in 1955 at Carisbrook against the All Blacks, going on to inspire the Wallabies to an 8-3 win at Eden Park later on in the tour.
“I dreamt of being a Wallaby. That was my ambition. I just want to be one of them,” he said. “I'm so proud of being part of the Wallabies.
“I remember running out onto Eden Park in 1955 in front of 54,000 people. We walked up with the intention of winning that game and we weren't going to be dictated to. I had Billy Gray coming straight at me, legs like Corinthian columns, and I've had to stop him so I turned around and I hit him head on, right in the stomach and I could hear the crowd go, ooh.
“Those memories live with you for the rest of your life. I knew how much it meant to me and I knew how much it meant to Dad.”
There’s something fitting in De Lutiis getting the nod, with forwards recognised across the key milestones of the Wallabies.
It started with Carew and followed with flanker and #250 Myer Rosenblum in 1928 against New Zealand.
Fellow back-rower Michael Purcell brought up #500 against Wales in 1966, with prop Patricio Noriega #750 against France in 1998.
De Lutiis was very close to being another that got away, turning down Ireland in April to commit his future to the gold.
Now, he’s linked to it forever, with skipper and Wallaby #933 Harry Wilson delighted.
"He's been really excited," Wilson said.
"You can probably see in the video how excited everyone was for him and to be one of the 1,000th; it's pretty cool. It's pretty cool to be part of the week, and he's just really excited, wants to go about it like a normal week and he's got plenty of family coming up.
"Having it in Queensland too is extra special for him, and hopefully we've got that real good performance in for him."
When you look around Townsville, the golden thread that connects the special group of 1,000 is there for everyone to see.
As the Wallabies go through their paces for captain’s run, #848 Scott Higginbotham and #855 Mike Harris are watching on intently, reminiscing about their past heroics.
They’re led down a flight of stairs by Classic President and #782 Morgan Tuirnui, who will double as sideline commentator in a Stan crew that will likely include #646 Matt Burke, #680 Tim Horan, #770 Justin Harrison and #859 Michael Hooper.
When they reach the ground, current RA CEO and #766 Phil Waugh greets them, shaking hands as they share stories with the current group, who, in themselves, are connected to the past.
Angus Bell (#940), Josh Nasser (#979) and Max Jorgensen (#984) all grew up revering the gold jersey they now call their own after hearing the stories from their respective fathers Mark (#729), Brendan (#685) and Peter (#700).
The special bonds link the past, present and future, coming full circle in Townsville when Jensen and RA President Nathan Sharpe (#774) are part of the procedure to present the cap to #1000 De Lutiis, among a special envelope to the prop about the history of the first to do so.
The golden thread connected.
