The Australian rugby community is mourning the loss of Wallaby #472 Paul Perrin, who passed away late last month, aged 85.
Perrin was big, strong, raw-boned and athletic lock who, along with his father Tom (Wallaby #273), became the fourth father/son combination to play Test rugby for Australia.
Born in Sydney but educated at The Southport School in Queensland, Perrin went on to play his club rugby for GPS Old Boys. He made his senior representative debut for Queensland against France in 1961.
The following year Rob Heming, due to business commitments, withdrew from the team to play the 1st Test against New Zealand and as a consequence Perrin was called in to make his Test debut. Australia lost 6-20 and the selectors made four personnel changes, one of which was Perrin, for the 2nd Test in Sydney.
Perrin did not play in the final ‘Australia’ versus The Rest trial for the return tour to New Zealand and a year later the Peter Crittle - Heming lock partnership began their four season domination of the Wallaby middle-row.
Paul Perrin played one Test for Australia and will forever be Wallaby #472.
He is survived by wife Dianne, sons Fraser, Scott and Matthew, and 11 grandchildren.
Highlights
1962 - Perrin won his first Test cap at lock alongside fellow debutant Jim Miller in the 1st Test, 6-20 loss to New Zealand in Brisbane.
