FORMER WALLABIES LOCK Dan Vickerman has passed away suddenly at the age of 37, plunging the rugby world into a state of shock.
The South African-born lock, who played 63 Tests for the Wallabies up until 2011, passed away at his family home in Sydney late on Saturday, the Australian Rugby Union said in a statement.
Vickerman leaves behind wife Sarah and two sons. Authorities have yet to comment on the cause of death.
“The rugby world is in shock today after news of the tragic passing of Dan Vickerman,” ARU chief executive Bill Pulver said.
“Dan was an uncompromising competitor who forged a wonderful international rugby career despite a number of injury setbacks along the way.
“A much-loved character off the field. He cared deeply about the game and the players, helping players transition into life after rugby in his role with (the players association) RUPA following his retirement.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Dan’s family at this extremely difficult time.”
Former Wallaby Phil Waugh, a close friend and teammate, said it was a terrible day for rugby in Australia.
“We all have huge admiration for the guy that he was,” Waugh said.
“He’s a guy that necessarily wasn’t the loudest in the team, but had the most respect from everyone playing with him. There’s so many positive memories of him on and off the field.”
Another former Wallabies teammate Matt Burke added: “Very abrasive as a player but a great lad, great tourist, a very good player and was just one of the good lads that you enjoyed his company.”
Springbok great Victor Matfield tweeted: “Waking up to sad news about Dan Vickerman this morning. Always enjoyed playing against him. A real competitor and a great guy.”
RUPA CEO Ross Xenos said Vickerman was well-respected in the rugby world.
“Dan was universally respected by his peers and the rugby community during and beyond his playing days. Since retiring, he was very generous in giving back to the game through coaching and voluntary roles supporting players’ off-field development,” Xenos said.
“We encourage all players who are affected by today’s terribly sad news to support and be there for each other and to contact RUPA if they would like to talk.”
Born in Cape Town, Vickerman moved to Australia and the Brumbies in the 2001 season.
The following year he made his Test debut in a 31-25 Wallabies victory over France in Sydney.
Following three seasons with the Brumbies, Vickerman joined the Waratahs in 2004 where he played five seasons in Sydney.
After playing in his second Rugby World Cup in 2007 in France, he quit international rugby for three years to study in England and earned a degree in Land Economics from Cambridge University.
While in England he played in two Varsity matches and also had a short stint with the Northampton Saints in the 2009-10 season.
The towering backrower returned to Australia to continue his career with the Waratahs and Wallabies, earning a place in the Wallabies’ 2011 Rugby World Cup squad.
Vickerman made his final Test appearance in the 2011 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand in Auckland.
He was forced to retire in 2012 through persistent problems with stress fractures in his right leg.
After retiring Vickerman worked in the real estate and development industry and was helping at Sydney University Rugby club until last year.
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This was for the legendary Andrew O Donnell RIP.
Come on the Little Village.
Andrew O Donnell would be beaming
This was for the legendary Andrew O Donnell RIP.
Come on the Little Village.
This was for the legendary Andrew O Donnell RIP.
Come on the Little Village.
This was for the legendary Andrew O Donnell RIP.
Come on the Little Village.
Ryan Deegan scored the first goal for Davis
God I hate that Thomas Davis club so much, run by fools, coaches are fools,I’ll never forget them bringing shamrock rovers to court cause the sdcc was giving us a stadium, like they already get enough from government for the terrible little club house they have,
@Happy entertainment: bit rich someone from SRFC talking about other clubs being run by fools. How is the grass growing in Glenmalure?
@PJL M: oh our Glenmalure suite in our nice big tallaght stadium is going great how is the little club house?we make more money in a week than you guys in a year so rovers must not be that badly run,
@Happy entertainment: yeah, it will never be your real home in Milltown, maybe some fools running your club made a mess of things…
@PJL M: it is our real home, and yeah many years ago the it was run by ppl who sold the fans out,sure I suppose they should have burnt it down for insurance purposes instead like some places do hint hint new club house that is still a kip,anyway you just enjoy it while it lasts numbers down in Thomas Davis , supporters down and believe me I know very well how Thomas Davis is run was involved in it for years until they tried to rob what was not for them,
@Happy entertainment: typical rovers
@John O Reilly: what’s typical?in fact you would say what Thomas Davis did was typical gaa, take what they don’t own
@Happy entertainment:”what they don’t own” have you heard anything in the news about the FAI & the people running it?
@my name: sorry who runs the fai?Do rovers run the fai?no they don’t you clown?but Thomas Davis were funded by the Gaa trying to take tallaght stadium
@Happy entertainment: it’s still extremely rich if you trying to take the moral high ground when your entire governing body is as corrupt as the Godfather series. Oh and you’re a clown
They could pass a ball to each other
Interesting that McDermottroe a former junior club player in Roscommon was the top scorer for Castleknock