Paddy McCue’s Wallabies rugby jersey

Patrick ‘Paddy’ McCue was one of the high-profile rugby union players who defected to rugby league in Australia in 1909. A brilliant front-row forward, McCue played for the Newtown District Rugby Union Club, and represented the New South Wales Blues in 1907.

McCue toured England with the Australian team, the Wallabies, in 1908 and competed in the London Olympic Games. The Wallabies’ only match was against a Cornish representative team, which they defeated 32-2. It has been described as perhaps ‘the easiest gold medal ever won by an Australian team’.

While on tour in England, McCue was approached by the founders of New South Wales Rugby League and offered 150 pounds to switch codes. He played for Newtown Rugby League Football Club from 1910 until retiring in 1916. He later coached both the Sydney University league and union teams.