Tony Abrahams

Anthony Abrahams
Born	(1944-03-28) March 28, 1944 Sydney, Australia
Occupation(s)	Lawyer, rugby union player (retired)
Known for	Australian international rugby union player; anti-apartheid activism; Member of the Order of Australia

Anthony Morris Frederick Abrahams AM (born 28 March 1944) is a retired Australian international rugby union player.

Biography

Abrahams received his education at Cranbrook School, Sydney and was recognized as a lock, particularly valued for his dependable line-out skills. During his Arts/Law studies, he competed at the first-grade level for Sydney University.

He represented the Wallabies in three Test matches, making his debut in Wellington during the 1967 Australia rugby union tour of New Zealand. Subsequent appearances included home Tests against the All Blacks in 1968 and the Welsh side in 1969. On the 1969 South Africa tour, Abrahams actively engaged with anti-apartheid campaigners and demonstrated his opposition by refusing to participate in an early fixture against Rhodesia, objecting to the policies of Ian Smith. His stance against apartheid extended to vocal criticism during the 1971 South Africa rugby union tour of Australia.

In recognition of their dedication to promoting racial justice and democratic rights in South Africa, Abrahams and six fellow "Anti-Apartheid Wallabies" were honored with a Certificate of Appreciation in 2001 by the South African High Commissioner alongside leaders of the Anti-Apartheid Movement.

Professionally a lawyer, Abrahams devoted more than twenty years to working with Clifford Chance in Paris and held the position of vice-president at the Association France-Australie. His contributions to fostering Australia-France relations and legal practice were acknowledged when he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) during the 2020 Australia Day Honours.

He is descended from Leonard Abrahams KC, a Sydney barrister who perished in the 1938 Kyeema crash.

See also

• List of Australia national rugby union players