Australia rugby greats Mark Ella, Simon Poidevin and Andrew Slack recall how the side created history in four Tests across the UK and Ireland
Australia completed a rugby grand slam for the first – and still only – time in 1984 as the Wallabies defeated England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland.Australia completed a rugby grand slam for the first – and still only – time in 1984 as the Wallabies defeated England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland.under a shadow.
Despite scoring eight tries to three across all matches, Australia won only a sole Test, against Ireland. Poidevin still backs the coach’s call. “Slacky as skipper was the best selection Jones made on that tour,” he says. “He was down to earth, laidback, and had a strong moral compass. And when there were blow-ups between the players and Jones, which were common, he defused it.”That was apparent the moment the squad arrived at Heathrow on 10 October. “We had flown economy class the whole way, and for big men that’s a bloody long trip,” says Poidevin.
“Without the Green Machine there’s no way the Test men could have survived such an arduous tour,” says Ella. “They made us one team, not a Test XV and the rest.”
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