Francis McPhillips
rugby union player
- November 10, 1912
- October 18, 1979
- 66 years
- leukemia
About Francis McPhillips
Francis McPhillips, 66, Australian rugby player, leukemia.
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Francis Gabriel McPhillips (10 November 1912 – 18 October 1979) was an Australian international rugby union player.
McPhillips was born in Wagga Wagga and picked up rugby union during his time at St Patrick's College, Goulburn. He spent his entire career with Drummoyne, having moved to Sydney for work with the Commonwealth Bank.
A versatile back, McPhillips made his representative debut for New South Wales in 1932, as their fullback against the touring All Blacks in Sydney. His performance was good enough to earn him a place on the following year's Wallabies tour of South Africa as a reserve fullback, backing up captain Alex Ross. He would however be utilised primarily as a three–quarter and finished the tour with eight uncapped appearances, from which he contributed ten points.
McPhillips later settled in Canberra and suffered from leukemia for several years until his death in 1979.
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Sources
- Wikipedia
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_McPhillips
- CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sep 26, 2026
- View article
- View record
- October 21, 2026
- Sep 26, 2026
Trivia & Knowledge· 16 questions
Questions drawn from Francis McPhillips's archived record and the sources above.
1.What was the full name of the rugby union player Francis McPhillips?
- A.Francis George McPhillips
- B.Francis Gerard McPhillips
- C.Francis Gabriel McPhillipscorrect
- D.Francis Gregory McPhillips
The biography identifies the subject as Francis Gabriel McPhillips.
Source: Introduction
2.In which Australian town was Francis McPhillips born?
- A.Goulburn
- B.Wagga Waggacorrect
- C.Canberra
- D.Sydney
Francis McPhillips was born in Wagga Wagga.
Source: Early life section
3.At which institution did Francis McPhillips first start playing rugby union?
- A.Drummoyne High School
- B.Commonwealth Bank Academy
- C.St Patrick's College, Goulburncorrect
- D.Sydney University
Francis McPhillips picked up rugby union during his time at St Patrick's College, Goulburn.
Source: Early life section
4.Which professional organization employed Francis McPhillips when he moved to Sydney?
- A.Commonwealth Bankcorrect
- B.Australian Rugby Union
- C.Bank of New South Wales
- D.New South Wales Government
Francis McPhillips moved to Sydney for work with the Commonwealth Bank.
Source: Early career section
5.With which rugby union club did Francis McPhillips spend his entire career?
- A.Wagga Wagga RFC
- B.Goulburn Blues
- C.Drummoynecorrect
- D.Sydney Wanderers
Francis McPhillips spent his entire career with Drummoyne.
Source: Early career section
6.In what year did Francis McPhillips make his representative debut for New South Wales?
- A.1933
- B.1930
- C.1932correct
- D.1931
Francis McPhillips made his representative debut for New South Wales in 1932.
Source: Career highlights
7.Against which international touring team did Francis McPhillips make his representative debut?
- A.The French Barbarians
- B.The Springboks
- C.The All Blackscorrect
- D.The British and Irish Lions
Francis McPhillips made his representative debut for New South Wales against the touring All Blacks.
Source: Career highlights
8.What was the primary position of Francis McPhillips during his debut for New South Wales?
- A.Three-quarter
- B.Scrum-half
- C.Fullbackcorrect
- D.Fly-half
Francis McPhillips debuted for New South Wales in 1932 as their fullback.
Source: Career highlights
9.During the 1933 Wallabies tour, who was the team captain that Francis McPhillips backed up?
- A.George Smith
- B.John Thorne
- C.Bill Campbell
- D.Alex Rosscorrect
Francis McPhillips was a reserve fullback backing up captain Alex Ross.
Source: 1933 tour section
10.To which country did the Wallabies tour in 1933?
- A.England
- B.South Africacorrect
- C.Argentina
- D.New Zealand
Francis McPhillips participated in the 1933 Wallabies tour of South Africa.
Source: 1933 tour section
11.Although selected as a fullback, which position was Francis McPhillips primarily utilized in during the 1933 tour?
- A.Three-quartercorrect
- B.Prop
- C.Flanker
- D.Lock
Francis McPhillips was utilized primarily as a three-quarter during the 1933 tour.
Source: 1933 tour section
12.How many total points did Francis McPhillips contribute during the 1933 tour?
- A.Twelve
- B.Eight
- C.Fifteen
- D.Tencorrect
Francis McPhillips contributed ten points during the 1933 tour.
Source: 1933 tour section
13.How many uncapped appearances did Francis McPhillips make during the 1933 tour?
- A.Eightcorrect
- B.Seven
- C.Six
- D.Nine
Francis McPhillips finished the 1933 tour with eight uncapped appearances.
Source: 1933 tour section
14.In which city did Francis McPhillips settle after his rugby career?
- A.Goulburn
- B.Wagga Wagga
- C.Canberracorrect
- D.Sydney
McPhillips later settled in Canberra after his rugby playing days.
Source: Late life
15.From which illness did Francis McPhillips suffer in his later years?
- A.Heart disease
- B.Chronic fatigue
- C.Diabetes
- D.Leukemiacorrect
Francis McPhillips suffered from leukemia for several years before his death.
Source: Late life
16.In what year did Francis McPhillips pass away?
- A.1978
- B.1979correct
- C.1977
- D.1980
Francis McPhillips passed away on 18 October 1979.
Source: Introduction
People who died on October 18
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