More from the Phillip Dudley Waller Collection, Phil Waller played against the 1908/09 touring Wallabies on three occasions, firstly for Somerset at Taunton on Saturday 28th November in front of 6000 people (where he was reported to of been superb in the lineouts, rucks and loose mauls) a match won by Australia 8-0. His second appearance was his Wales debut on the 12th December at Cardiff Arms Park where Waller was said to have played a “Blinder” in a 9-6 victory for the hosts. (At the time of his Welsh debut Waller was an engineering apprentice at Alexandra Dock Shops under Mr T.W Pearson (The ex Cardiff, Newport and Welsh Three-quarter). His final appearance against Australia was for Newport which Australia won 5-3 (see one of our previous articles for a photo of the post match menu).
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R.R Craig wore the number 3 for Australia in the international match against Wales
C.J Russell’s squad number for the tour was number 3
Craig & Russell did not feature in the match against Somerset
Craig wore 3 & Russell 15 in the international vs Wales
Craig did not play against Newport, but Russell did and one would presume that he wore his squad number of 3 (if anyone has the programme or photos from this match please get in touch).
References: Part of the Phillip Dudley Waller Collection (Welsh Rugby Union)
Peter Owens (WRU) for kindly letting photograph this Jersey for the RMS website
Book: The First Wallabies (Peter Sharpham)
Peter Douglas-Davies
Rugby Memorabilia Society
Peter Douglas-Davies
27/06/2018