Ask Steven: Aussie cap record

Jul 20, 2016

For how long did Peter Johnson hold the Australian cap record? Asked JGB, Australia

Peter Johnson, who died at his north Sydney home in July, aged 78, was Australia's hooker from 1959 and throughout the 1960s, setting a new Aussie Test cap record in his 42nd and last Test, at Stade Colombes, at the end of a two-match series in France in November 1971.

The previous Aussie record-holder had been Tony Miller, whose 41st and final Test had been against Ireland in 1967.

Johnson's career included a then record Aussie run of 37 consecutive Test appearances between May 1959 and November 1968, testimony to his fitness, stamina and durability, and a rare record even by today's standards for a front-row player.

His Australian cap record stood for nearly 16 years. It was eventually superseded by flanker Simon Poidevin against Japan at Concord Oval, Sydney, during the 1987 Rugby Wold Cup.

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Ask Steven: Aussie cap record