Jack Rayner
Encyclopedia
Jack Rayner was an Australian state and national representative rugby league
player and NSWRFL coach. His club playing career was with the South Sydney Rabbitohs
from 1946 to 1957 and he also represented New South Wales
on eleven occasions and played in five Test matches for the Australian national representative side.
in World War II
in Papua New Guinea
. He played rugby league in some inter-regiment games and was spotted by former Kangaroo and South Sydney coach Eric Lewis
, who suggested that Rayner try out for Souths once the war ended.
. Rayner broke his ankle early in the 1946
season and the club ended up winless that year.
In 1947 Rayner was selected as club captain due to his leadership skills and tough performances as a second rower
and the club managed nine wins and began to moveup the premiership ladder. In 1949 he was appointed the coach of the club as well as captain and Souths finished as minor-premiers and managed a Grand final
appearance going down to St George in 1949 season decider.
Souths were by now the main premiership force and under Rayner entered their most successful era. For six consecutive seasons from 1950 the Rabbitohs were Grand Finalists, winning premierships in 1950, 1951, NSWRL season 1953, 1954 and 1955. They were denied by Western Suburbs
in controversial circumstances in season 1952.
Rayner's fifth premiership win in 1955 stands as the record for the most number of grand final successes by an individual as captain (equalled by Ken Kearney
's who also achieved five in 1960). As captain-coach for all of those wins Rayner was the first man to coach a side to five Grand Final victories, a record subsequently matched by Kearney and Jack Gibson
and eventually beaten in 2006 by Wayne Bennett.
A knee injury saw him retire during the 1957 season aged 36. He had overtaken Benny Wearing
's record for most games with the Rabbitohs.
at the Sydney Cricket Ground
. He was a reserve in the second test of that series in Brisbane.
He was selected in the 1948-49 Kangaroo tour and played in the first two Tests against Great Britain and in 22 minor tour matches, making the most number of match appearances in the touring party. His final test appearances came on Australia's tour of New Zealand in 1949.
describing Rayner "He was a brilliant tactician. I never saw a better forward in cover defence on the blind side than Rayner. Jack was the crankiest forward I played with but what a grand fellow he was".
Rayner was a Police Detective by occupation and a man whom the Sydney Telegraph obituary described as renowned for his sportsmanship and dignified manner and who embodied an "Australian tough but fair attitude".
's player-coach in 1949 and held that role for all five of the premiership victories he enjoyed at Souths. His playing retirement in 1957 marked his coaching retirement at the club.
In 1958 he took on the challenge as coach at Parramatta
who had been wooden-spooners in 1956 and 1957 and consistent cellar-dwellers all through the 1950s. A turn-around proved too much to hope for and the Eels finished last in all three years under Rayner, winning no more than three games in each season.
through to 2004
. While playing football Rayner served in the New South Wales Police Force and in 2008, rugby league's centenary year in Australia, he was named as captain-coach of a NSW Police "Team of the Century".
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
player and NSWRFL coach. His club playing career was with the South Sydney Rabbitohs
South Sydney Rabbitohs
The South Sydney Rabbitohs are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Redfern, a suburb of South-central Sydney, New South Wales. They participate in the National Rugby League premiership and are one of nine existing teams from the state capital...
from 1946 to 1957 and he also represented New South Wales
New South Wales Rugby League team
The New South Wales rugby league team has represented the Australian state of New South Wales in rugby league football since the sport's beginnings there in 1907. Administered by the New South Wales Rugby League, the team competes in the annual State of Origin series against arch-rivals, the...
on eleven occasions and played in five Test matches for the Australian national representative side.
War service
Rayner served with the AIFAustralian Imperial Force
The Australian Imperial Force was the name given to all-volunteer Australian Army forces dispatched to fight overseas during World War I and World War II.* First Australian Imperial Force * Second Australian Imperial Force...
in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
in Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...
. He played rugby league in some inter-regiment games and was spotted by former Kangaroo and South Sydney coach Eric Lewis
Eric Lewis (rugby league)
Eric Lewis was an Australian rugby league footballer of the 1930s. A New South Wales interstate and Australian international representative forward, he played club football in the NSWRFL for South Sydney, winning the 1932 Premiership with them....
, who suggested that Rayner try out for Souths once the war ended.
Club career
Rayner trialled with Souths in 1946 and was graded straight to first grade. The Rabbitohs had won only one match in 1945New South Wales Rugby Football League season 1945
The 1945 New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership was the thirty-eighth season of Sydney's top-level rugby league club competition, Australia's first...
. Rayner broke his ankle early in the 1946
New South Wales Rugby Football League season 1946
The 1946 New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership was the thirty-ninth season of Sydney's top-level rugby league football competition, Australia's first. Eight teams from across the city contested during the season which culminated in the Balmain club's victory over St...
season and the club ended up winless that year.
In 1947 Rayner was selected as club captain due to his leadership skills and tough performances as a second rower
Rugby league positions
A rugby league football team consists of thirteen players on the field, with four substitutes on the bench. Players are divided into two general categories: "forwards" and "backs"....
and the club managed nine wins and began to moveup the premiership ladder. In 1949 he was appointed the coach of the club as well as captain and Souths finished as minor-premiers and managed a Grand final
Grand Final
Grand Final is a predominantly Australian sport term used to describe a match that decides a league champion.It originated in Victoria and South Australia and has become specifically significant Australian culture...
appearance going down to St George in 1949 season decider.
Souths were by now the main premiership force and under Rayner entered their most successful era. For six consecutive seasons from 1950 the Rabbitohs were Grand Finalists, winning premierships in 1950, 1951, NSWRL season 1953, 1954 and 1955. They were denied by Western Suburbs
Western Suburbs Magpies
The Western Suburbs Magpies are an Australian rugby league football club based in the western suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales. Formed in 1908, Wests, as they are commonly referred to, were one of the nine foundation clubs of the first New South Wales Rugby League competition in Australia...
in controversial circumstances in season 1952.
Rayner's fifth premiership win in 1955 stands as the record for the most number of grand final successes by an individual as captain (equalled by Ken Kearney
Ken Kearney
Ken "Killer" Kearney was an Australian rugby footballer – a dual-code international player – and a rugby league coach. He represented the Wallabies in seven Tests and the Kangaroos in thirty-one Test matches and World Cup games. He captained Australia in nine rugby league Test matches in 1956 and...
's who also achieved five in 1960). As captain-coach for all of those wins Rayner was the first man to coach a side to five Grand Final victories, a record subsequently matched by Kearney and Jack Gibson
Jack Gibson (rugby league)
Jack Arthur Gibson OAM was an Australian rugby league identity – a player, commentator and most notably a coach...
and eventually beaten in 2006 by Wayne Bennett.
A knee injury saw him retire during the 1957 season aged 36. He had overtaken Benny Wearing
Benny Wearing
Benny Wearing was an Australian rugby league footballer of the 1920s and 30s. An Australian international and New South Wales representative three-quarter, he played his club football in the NSWRFL Premiership for the South Sydney Rabbitohs....
's record for most games with the Rabbitohs.
New South Wales
Rayner was first called up to represent his state in 1947. He made eleven appearances for New South Wales scoring two tries with a total of six points. His last game for New South Wales was in 1954.Australia
In 1948, he made his test debut for Australia in the first Test loss against New ZealandNew Zealand national rugby league team
The New Zealand national rugby league team has represented New Zealand in rugby league football since intercontinental competition began for the sport in 1907. Administered by the New Zealand Rugby League, they are commonly known as the Kiwis, after the native bird of that name...
at the Sydney Cricket Ground
Sydney Cricket Ground
The Sydney Cricket Ground is a sports stadium in Sydney in Australia. It is used for Australian football, Test cricket, One Day International cricket, some rugby league and rugby union matches and is the home ground for the New South Wales Blues cricket team and the Sydney Swans of the Australian...
. He was a reserve in the second test of that series in Brisbane.
He was selected in the 1948-49 Kangaroo tour and played in the first two Tests against Great Britain and in 22 minor tour matches, making the most number of match appearances in the touring party. His final test appearances came on Australia's tour of New Zealand in 1949.
The man and his playing style
The True Blue reference quotes Clive ChurchillClive Churchill
Clive Bernard Churchill AM was an Australian rugby league footballer and coach of the mid-20th century. An Australian international and New South Wales and Queensland interstate representative fullback, he played the majority of his club football with and later coached the South Sydney Rabbitohs...
describing Rayner "He was a brilliant tactician. I never saw a better forward in cover defence on the blind side than Rayner. Jack was the crankiest forward I played with but what a grand fellow he was".
Rayner was a Police Detective by occupation and a man whom the Sydney Telegraph obituary described as renowned for his sportsmanship and dignified manner and who embodied an "Australian tough but fair attitude".
Coaching career
Rayner took up the reins as South SydneySouth Sydney Rabbitohs
The South Sydney Rabbitohs are an Australian professional rugby league football team based in Redfern, a suburb of South-central Sydney, New South Wales. They participate in the National Rugby League premiership and are one of nine existing teams from the state capital...
's player-coach in 1949 and held that role for all five of the premiership victories he enjoyed at Souths. His playing retirement in 1957 marked his coaching retirement at the club.
In 1958 he took on the challenge as coach at Parramatta
Parramatta Eels
The Parramatta Eels are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Sydney suburb of Parramatta. The Parramatta District Rugby League Football Club was formed in 1947, with their First Grade side playing their first season in the New South Wales Rugby Football League...
who had been wooden-spooners in 1956 and 1957 and consistent cellar-dwellers all through the 1950s. A turn-around proved too much to hope for and the Eels finished last in all three years under Rayner, winning no more than three games in each season.
Accolades
In 2004 he was named by Souths as Coach of their South Sydney Dream Team, consisting of 17 players and a coach representing the club from 1908New South Wales Rugby League season 1908
The 1908 New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership was the inaugural season of Australia's first rugby league football club competition, which was based in Sydney, New South Wales...
through to 2004
National Rugby League season 2004
The year 2004 NRL season was the 97th season of professional rugby league football in Australia, and the seventh run by the National Rugby League. Fifteen clubs competed for the Telstra Premiership...
. While playing football Rayner served in the New South Wales Police Force and in 2008, rugby league's centenary year in Australia, he was named as captain-coach of a NSW Police "Team of the Century".
Sources
- Andrews, Malcolm (2006) The ABC of Rugby League, Austn Broadcasting Corpn, Sydney
- NRL Official 2007 Season Guide, News Magazines Surry Hills Sydney, for the National Rugby League
- Heads, Ian (1992) True Blue, Ironbark, Sydney
- Sunday Telegraph, Jack Rayner obituary 18May2008, News Limited, Sydney