David Wilson (rugby union, born 1967)
{{For|the English player|David Wilson (English rugby union prop)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}}
{{Use Australian English|date=December 2015}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = David John Wilson
| birth_name = David John Wilson
| birth_date ={{birth date and age|df=y|1967|01|04}}
| birth_place = Brisbane, Australia
| ru_position =Openside flanker
| repyears1 = 1992-2000
| repteam1 = Australia
| repcaps1 = 79
| reppoints1 = 65
| ru_ntupdate = 7 August 2006
| super1 = Queensland Reds
| superyears1 =
| superapps1 =
| superpoints1 =
| ru_provinceyears1 = 1989-2000
| ru_provinceapps1 = 105
| ru_provinceupdate = 7 August 2006
| occupation = Professional rugby union footballer, after dinner speaker
}}
David John Wilson (born 4 January 1967) is a former Australian rugby union footballer who played on the openside flank 79 times, and who captained the Wallabies 9 times.
Through his career he won every international trophy available to an Australian test player (Bledisloe Cup series wins in 1992, 94, 98, 99 & 2000 including the 1999 win as Captain), a world cup in 1999 & finally a Tri Nations series win in 2000.
Early life
Wilson was born in Brisbane, Australia where he attended Brisbane State High School. He first came to prominence in 1985 when he was selected in the 1985 all conquering Australian Schoolboys team as Vice Captain.
Career
Wilson made his grade debut for Easts Tigers (Brisbane) in 1987. After making his debut for Queensland in 1989, David was selected later the same year to tour with the Wallabies to Canada and France but it was not until 1992 when he made his debut with the Wallaby side in the home test against Scotland and was a regular starter in the national side from then on, when fit.
David was a vital part of what many consider to be the best Wallaby side of all time throughout those 1998, 1999 & 2000 seasons where the team won everything on offer.
The 1999 World Cup win was followed up by Australia's first ever tri nations series win in 2000, following which he retired from test rugby. David moved to the UK to play for NEC Harlequins in the Zurich Premiership. A serious knee injury in the 2001 European Shield Final (Harlequins won the game 42–33 in extra time) ended Wilson's playing career at the age of 35 and he was forced to retire from the game.
External links
- [http://www.scrum.com/1200_1205.php?player=7442 Scrum.com player statistics]
- [https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/harlequins-turn-to-vos-as-doubts-grow-over-wilson-651125.html Motivational Speaker's Profile]{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
- [http://www.sporting-heroes.net/rugby-heroes/displayhero.asp?HeroID=5024 Sporting Heroes Profile]
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{{succession box|title=[[Australia rugby union captains|
Australian national rugby union captain]] |before=Tim Horan|after=Jason Little|years=1997-1999}}
{{s-end}}
{{Australia Squad 1995 World Cup}}
{{Australia Squad 1999 World Cup}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wilson, David}}
Category:Australian rugby union players
Category:Australia international rugby union players
Category:Australia national rugby union team captains
Category:Harlequin F.C. players
Category:People educated at Brisbane State High School
Category:Rugby union players from Brisbane
Category:1995 Rugby World Cup players
Category:1999 Rugby World Cup players
Category:Australian expatriate rugby union players in England
Category:Queensland Reds players
Category:20th-century Australian sportsmen
{{Australia-rugbyunion-bio-1960s-stub}}