Jack McLean (rugby union, born 1922)
| Full name | John Reginald McLean | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 25 February 1922 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Brisbane, Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of death | 24 September 1974 (aged 52) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 13.2 st (185 lb; 84 kg) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | St Laurence's College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable relative(s) | Doug McLean Sr (father) Doug McLean Jr (brother) Bill McLean (brother) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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John Reginald McLean (25 February 1922 – 24 September 1974) was an Australian international rugby union player.[1]
Biography
Raised in Brisbane, McLean was the son of Wallabies representative Doug McLean senior. Two of his brothers, Bill and Doug junior, were also capped for the Wallabies.[2] He was educated at St Laurence's College, where he played rugby league. His ironic nickname of "Happy Jack" was coined as he was said to rarely smile.[3]
McLean picked up rugby union after joining GPS Old Boys upon leaving school and became a three–quarter like his father, specialising on the wing. He made his Queensland representative debut in 1941, then was out of rugby for a period when he enlisted with the RAAF in World War II. While based with a squadron in England, McLean resumed rugby playing for the RAAF team. He spent the remainder of his rugby career with heavy padding to his right shoulder, having suffered injuries in a plane crash during his service. In 1946, McLean toured New Zealand with the Wallabies, making a total of six appearances, without featuring against the All Blacks.[3][4]
See also
References
- ^ "Rugby Union Star Out?". The Telegraph. 31 March 1947. p. 14 – via Trove.
- ^ "Family's Record In Rugby Union Interstate Game". Sporting Globe. 12 June 1946. p. 14 (Edition 2) – via Trove.
- ^ a b "John Reginald ('Happy Jack') McLean". Classic Wallabies.
- ^ "Dropped Winger Scores 4 Tries". The Sunday Mail. 4 May 1947. p. 15 – via Trove.