Rugby is a game played in all conditions – in the crisp stillness of a winter day or in the relentless barrage of heaving rain – with these boots worn by Joe-Boys in the 1970s, it is only fitting that they remind us of one of our greatest rugby coaches, Brother Henry, who passed away on Christmas Day 1970 at the age of 93. He came to St Joseph’s as third division prefect in 1910 and soon had the younger boys playing bright, clever rugby. After a few years at Joeys, he moved to other schools, but he returned in 1919.
From 1922 to 1953, he coached the First and Second XVs in 26 official GPS competitions (none were held during the war years 1940–1945). His phenomenal run of success began in 1923. With Br Henry as coach, the Firsts won 18 Premierships (four shared) and were runners-up four times, averaging about 26 to six tries a match. The Seconds won 15 Premierships (four shared) and were runners-up nine times, averaging about 24 to four tries per match.
However, it was not premierships and scores that gained Br Henry’s teams praise and recognition; it was the type of football they played. His gift was coaching boys to think and act quickly on the field, to pull off involved movements with split second precision. He developed individual prowess, merging it into the team’s combined play. A grievous sin in Br Henry’s code was selfishness; putting self before the team. He instilled in his charges a high standard of sportsmanship and a spirit of adventure and audacity on the field. The famous Bim Baxter, manager of the touring British Lions in 1931, came with his team to see the annual Premiers versus The Rest of the GPS – with St Joseph’s the Premiers and Champions in the College’s Golden Jubilee year, they won the match 20–9. Baxter is quoted as stating: “That was one of the most magnificent games of rugby I have ever seen.”
In recognition of Br Henry’s great contribution to the game, the Rugby Union made him a life member. He was awarded an OBE, with his name appearing in the New Years Honours on 1 January 1971.
Former English International and Australian selector, Professor GV Portus, wrote: “Brother Henry is one of the real mainstays of rugby union in Australia. His teams exploit a great variety of modes of attack. They use quick transfers to the wingers, the short punt through, a timely cross-kick, a burst through by five-eighth or centre, the reverse movement to the waiting forwards in which, instead of continuing a movement working along the back line, there would be a sudden reversion of the direction and a linking up with a phalanx of forwards who had broken from the scrum, and then would follow a series of short snappy passes, a crown to remarkable team work. And behind the team stands the patient figure of Brother Henry. So to you, Brother Henry, in the immortal words of The Sentimental Bloke ‘I dips me lid’.”
In his shoes.
Br Henry, Marist Brother and rugby coach, born Francis Xavier Gaffney (1877–1970) in Cardiff, Wales
