The 1972 Australia rugby union tour of New Zealand and Fiji was a series of thirteen rugby union matches, including three tests, played by the Wallabies in New Zealand, plus a one-off test match played by the Wallabies against the Fijians in Fiji. The tour took place in August and September 1972.[1]
The test series in New Zealand was won by the All Blacks with three wins from three matches. The test match in Fiji was won by the Wallabies.[2]
The Wallaby squad was captained by Greg Davis described by Howell as "a leader of men who believed a leader should lead....a single minded flanker who gave no quarter and asked for none".[16] Davis was making his seventh and final overseas tour with the Wallabies, his third as captain. Howell writes that for Davis at 33 years and the end of a magnificent career, the seven loss & five win result of the tour was "a disaster and occasioned Davis' retirement".[17] An injury picked up in New Zealand prevented Davis from leading the side in the Test match in Fiji on the way home. Peter Sullivan led the Wallabies to a narrow 21-19 victory against Fiji. He had already captained Australia in two mid-week games during the New Zealand leg. The third Test in New Zealand, a 38-3 romp by the All Blacks was Greg Davis' last match.[17]
Joe French was the tour manager. Bob Templeton was the team's coach who carried the traditional touring title of Assistant Manager.[1]
New Zealand
Fiji
Otago
West Coast-Buller
Taranaki
Bay of Plenty
King Country
Hawke's Bay
Nelson Bays
North Otago
Waikato
Poverty Bay /
East Coast