In Born to Lead – Wallaby Test Captains, Max Howell said that the, “Glory of Lenehan and his usefulness on tour was that he was equally good at fullback, centre and even on the wing … he could kick a football a prodigious distance.”
Jim, of Irish descent, was born in Narrandera in 1938, and was 1 of 9 children. His parents used to make the journey from their property, once a week by horse and sulky, into Narrandera for supplies.
For schooling, Jim attended St. Joseph’s Primary School, Narrandera, and then St. Lawrence’s College at Galong for about 12 months, prior to attending Riverview College in Hunter’s Hill, Sydney, as a boarder commencing in 1949.
Jim was College Captain in 1956. In 1955 and 1956 Jim, in his final years of schooling, excelled in Cricket, Rugby Union and Athletics, including being Champion Athlete of the School in both years. At 17 years of age, Jim broke the G.P.S. [Great Public School] shot put record 3 times in successive throws after having, the previous week, been confined to bed with German Measles. Jim’s record with shot put was held for 43 years.
As Jim puts it, “When you’re young, it’s not a matter of just getting into one sport, it’s a matter of doing all things if you want to be a good sportsman.”
Jim as School Captain.
In A History of the Sydney Cricket Ground – The Grand Old Ground, Philip Derriman wrote that in a 1955 combined GPS side, “17-year-old Jim Lenehan straight drove a ball into the top deck of the M.A. Noble Stand. Lenehan was a brilliant all-round sportsman at St Ignatius College. He held a G.P.S. record for the open hurdles and the shot-put. He is best remembered today for his brilliance as an outside-centre and fullback for the Wallabies.”
At 19 years of age, Jim was chosen as a team-member of the 1957-58 Wallaby tour of Britain, France and North America. Due to injuries to 2 of Jim’s team-mates, Jim moved from second-string fullback to his side’s key centre; Jim played in 32 of his team’s 41 matches. Jim’s dedicated style of play offended some of the English spectators, who voiced their derision against him.
In 1958, Jim played against the New Zealand Maoris in Australia, and in that same year went on his first playing tour to New Zealand, during which an injury to his leg resulted in him playing in only 2 matches.
In 1959, Jim played fullback for NSW Country in 2 Tests against the British Isles, and for NSW in defeating the British Isles 18-14, in Sydney.
1960 saw Jim going to New Zealand on his second tour, playing for NSW Country. In 1961, Jim toured to South Africa, and in the same year played a match for Australia against France, with France winning 15-8 in Sydney.
1962 saw Jim captaining NSW Country, NSW and Australia, and touring New Zealand as Vice-Captain of the Australian team.
In 1963, Jim was chosen for the Australian tour of South Africa, but his representation was cut short in Perth due to a knee injury. In 1965, however, Jim was Australian fullback in the 2 Tests they won against the Springboks.
In 1966-67, Jim toured with the Wallabies in Britain, France and Canada, playing in all 5 internationals and scoring 74 points. On this occasion, Jim was the highest points-scorer in the British leg of the tour, as he was with his superlative 117 points in 1957-58 when he was 19 years of age. Whilst in England, Jim and his team visited Buckingham Palace.
Jim played in his last Test in 1967, in Sydney, against Ireland which won 11-5.
All up, Jim played 81 matches, including 24 Tests.
Max Howell further describes Jim as, “a punishing tackler … The thing that set him apart from other mere mortals was that he could punt a ball almost the length of the field … an outstanding athlete, equally good in attack and defence,”.
Furthermore, in Australian Rugby Union – The Game and the Players, by Jack Pollard, Jim is described as, “A gifted utility back who played for Australia in three positions and held his place in Australian touring teams for 10 years. He was exceptionally fast … and was surprisingly effective with his kick.”
As quoted from The Visitors, in Born to Lead, Max Howell stated, “Lenehan impressed with a useful all-round display … Lenehan dropkicked a goal 48 yards … Lenehan fielded, kicked and tackled well, but the main feature of his game was his evasive running … Lenehan then dropkicked a penalty goal from centre-field near halfway … Lenehan played superbly and was the best of the Australian backs … Lenehan was a polished and reliable fullback who looked the best of the visiting backs … although not fully recovered from a leg injury, Lenehan played very soundly and his two dropkicks were fine efforts.”
In punting footballs, Jim says that although he can kick with both boots, his left boot is the superior one; he volunteers that he’s “not much of a goal kicker,” however Jim could boot a football 100 metres.
The summation of Jim’s career is: NSW representative 21 matches (1958-67); Australian representative 81 matches (24 tests) (1957-67).
Jim scoring a spectacular try, diving in the corner for the Wallabies. The excitement on the ball boy’s face says it all.
In 1999, Jim and Sue attended the World Cup in Cardiff in Wales: Australia won, which made their experience all the more interesting and exciting.
In 1971, Jim and Sue married and moved to their local-to-Harden property Beggan Beggan – they had 4 children, James, Sam, Sophie and Julia. They how have 12 grandchildren (2 boys and 10 girls).
Jim has been honoured with the Jim Lenehan Stand being named after him at Connolly Park, in Wagga Wagga.
Jim places great value on reunions with his old mates from his days of playing Rugby Union – if he were to have dinner with people of his choosing, it would be with these men. Jim and Sue enjoy spending time with family and friends.
Jim enjoys listening to good music, and playing golf. Jim and Sue used to breed and race horses (as trained by Bart Cummings and Tommy Smith).
In 2014, Jim is still farming, although his sons have taken over the main running of Beggan Beggan – Jim says that his duties now mostly involve moving stock and checking on water.
As for Harden, Jim said, “I think Harden’s going very well.”
Wallabies: Tim Horan, John Hipwell, Jim, John Thornett and Arthur Bucham.
Jim, thank you for sharing your history with Local Legends. You are indeed an inspiration to the Harden-Murrumburrah community in terms of your preparedness and bravery in putting your body on the line and in your sporting prowess.
