Phil Kearns

Phil Kearns was a formidable Australian hooker who won two Rugby World Cups with the Wallabies in 1991 and 1999.

Philip Nicholas Kearns was born on 27 June 1967 in Sydney, Australia, and attended Newington College, where, remarkably, he failed to make the school's first XV — a fate shared with future Wallabies teammate and captain Nick Farr-Jones. Kearns joined Randwick and was plucked from the club's second grade to earn a call-up to the Wallabies in 1989, after Australia's series defeat to the British and Irish Lions prompted selectors to rebuild the squad. Kearns quickly established himself as one of the finest hookers in world rugby, combining traditional scrummaging and lineout-throwing skills with unusual mobility and ball-carrying ability for his position. He played a central role in Australia's forward pack as the Wallabies won the 1991 Rugby World Cup at Twickenham, just 24 years old at the time. Kearns went on to earn 67 caps for Australia, captaining the side on ten occasions, and was part of the Wallabies squad that won a second World Cup title in 1999. His fierce on-field rivalry with New Zealand hooker Sean Fitzpatrick became one of the enduring storylines of Bledisloe Cup rugby throughout the 1990s. Kearns retired in 1999 and became one of Australian rugby's most prominent broadcasters, working as a commentator for Fox Sports Australia and building a reputation as one of the game's most outspoken and opinionated pundits.

Kearns was renowned for his accurate lineout throwing and strong scrummaging technique as a hooker. He possessed excellent ball-handling skills and was mobile around the field, contributing effectively in both set pieces and loose play.

Kearns is remembered as one of Australia's finest hookers and most successful captains, helping establish the Wallabies' dominance in world rugby during the 1990s.

• Rugby World Cup winner 1991 & 1999

Club Career

Club	Period	Apps	Tries	Shirt
Queensland Reds	1989–1997	67	0	#2
NSW Waratahs	1998–1999	—	—	—
Australia	—	67	—	—