Three former players from The Waratahs have been included in the new NSW Rugby’s Hall of Fame which was announced at the NSW Waratahs 2024 Season Awards Night last Thursday night.

Our three inductees are:

Cyril Burke — 1946-1958 37 caps
John Hipwell — 1968-1981 27 caps
Kelly Slager — 1996

In total, 47 male inductees and 15 female inductees were announced at the function last. A full list is available by logging onto www.waratahs.rugby/news

NSW Rugby said that throughout the storied 150-year history of Rugby Union in NSW there was an abundance of legendary names who have donned the famous cambridge blue Waratahs jersey.

In relation to male inductees, a NSW Rugby selection sub-committee agreed that the ‘Greatest Team Ever’ that was announced in 1999 for the NSW Rugby Union’s 125th anniversary be included as inductees. It was also decided that all 13 Waratahs who are in the Wallabies Hall of Fame (Cyril and John are in this number) be included as inductees.

In reference to women inductees, it was noted that there was no NSW Waratahs Women’s team selected between 2002 and 2017. Instead, during the period Sydney and Country participated at National Championships in their own right.

This was due to the strength of these respective teams and in turn the lack of strength of other State teams. As such there are several players, who through no fault of their own, are listed as inductees but never had the opportunity to represent the Waratahs (only Sydney/Country and then the Wallaroos).