Kevin Ryan (rugby)

Kevin Ryan was an Australian rugby league and rugby union player - a dual international. He represented the Wallabies in 5 Tests in 1958 and the Kangaroos in 2 Tests from 1963 to 1964.

Born in Queensland in the Darling Downs, Ryan's nickname 'Kandos' was after the New South Wales cement producing town due his toughness and fearlessness. He had been a Queensland amateur Boxing Champion and trialled for the 1960 Olympics.

St George Career and Playing Style

He was a Front Rower or Second Row Forward with the St. George Dragons in the latter half of their 11 year consecutive premiership winning run from 1956 to 1966. He played 106 games for the club from 1960-1966, and played in seven winning Grand Finals.

Ryan took over the 'Hard Man' mantle in the St George forward pack from Billy Wilson. From 1960 to 1962 when Ryan, Wilson and Norm Provan played together the St George forward pack was lethal and menacing.

Ryan perfected a ball-and-all, one-on-one tackling style. He disdained gang tackling believing it was his individual responsibility to bring his man down hard without help. He would leave the ground each time he tackled , often winding his opponent with his shoulder, then bringing them to ground wrapped up , ball included.

Canterbury Years

Ryan left St George at the end of the 1966 season unable to come to terms in negotiations and wanting to coach. In 1967, as Capt-Coach he led Canterbury in their 12-11 victory over St George in the Preliminary Final. He is therefore sometimes credited with bringing an end to the Dragons' premiership run. Certainly he was able to coach against and counter many of their tactics but the game had changed for all in 1967 with the introduction of the four tackle rule and the now maturing Dragons stars like all other teams in the competition, had to deal with a whole new style of game.

Politics after football

Ryan became a barrister in 1970. He was Mayor of Hurstville from 1974 to 1976. He ran for NSW State Parliament as Labor member for Hurstville - unsuccessfully in 1973, then to victory in 1976. He was State Member for Hurstville, New South Wales from 1976 to 1984.

Sources

• Writer, Larry (1995) Never Before, Never Again, Pan MacMillan, Sydney