Mike Gibson (rugby union)

Cameron Michael Henderson Gibson MBE (born 3 December 1942) is a former rugby union international player who represented Ireland and the British & Irish Lions.

Mike Gibson
Birth nameCameron Michael Henderson Gibson
Date of birth (1942-12-03) 3 December 1942
Place of birthBelfast, Northern Ireland
SchoolCampbell College
UniversityUniversity of Cambridge
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1964–1979
1966–1971
1963–1976		 Ireland
Lions
Barbarians		 69
12
9		 (112)
(0)
(6)
Correct as of 24 June 2012

Gibson is regarded as one of the greatest rugby union players. On his induction into the IRB Hall of Fame in May 2011, former teammate and fellow Hall of Fame inductee Syd Millar said of him: "... [he] was one of the finest players of his generation, one of the finest players ever to represent Ireland and the British & Irish Lions and a man who epitomised the very ethos of the Game and its values".[1]

Early life

Gibson was educated at Campbell College in Belfast and went on to study law at Queens' College, Cambridge.

Club career

Gibson played the bulk of his career for North of Ireland F.C. ("North"). While studying, Gibson played for Cambridge University. In February 1966 he played for London Irish against St Mary's Hospital. He continued playing club rugby until 42.

International career

Ireland

Gibson's distinguished career began with Ireland in 1964 and he earned his 69th and final cap in the second and final test win against Australia in Sydney in 1979 at age 36. A versatile player, he represented his country in four different positions. His all-round talent marked him out as a centre of distinction. Prior to moving to centre, Gibson played fly half to a high level. He was known for the perception and timing of his attacking play, the focus and anticipation of his defence and the dedication and commitment with which he applied himself across a 15-year international career in which he appeared in a then-world record 81 Tests, including five tours with the British & Irish Lions

Famed as much for good hands and line-breaking ability as his tactical skills and rapier boot, Gibson scored 112 Test points (9 tries, 16 penalties, 7 conversions and 6 drop goals) for Ireland.

Gibson's record Ireland caps haul of 69 was overtaken by lock Malcolm O'Kelly against Scotland in February 2005. The mark had lasted for 26 years. His record of 56 appearances in the Five Nations (now Six Nations) was not equalled until countryman Ronan O'Gara reached the mark in Ireland's final match of the 2011 Six Nations.

British and Irish Lions

On the 1968 tour to South Africa, Gibson made history in the opening Test by becoming the first replacement in international rugby. He showed stamina by playing in 11 of the final 13 matches after Welsh fly-half Barry John had been invalided out of the tour.[2]

In the 1971 tour to New Zealand, Gibson formed a strong midfield combination alongside captain John Dawes. With Gareth Edwards, Barry John, Gerald Davies, J.P.R. Williams and David Duckham, this was one of the finest backlines in Lions history.

The 1971 tour remains to date the Lions' sole series victory over the All Blacks; it was on this tour that Gibson won the respect of the New Zealand rugby public with his attacking flair and timing.[2]

Gibson's work commitments saw him join the 1974 Lions in South Africa as a replacement during the second half of the tour. Gibson was known for his humility and demonstrated it here by willingly playing understudy to the new Test pairing of Ian McGeechan and Richard Milliken.[2]

Gibson was selected for his fifth Lions tour in 1977, equalling fellow Irishman Willie John McBride's record. However, back and hamstring problems meant that Gibson was unable to compete for a test place.[2]

Representative teams

Gibson played for a combined Scotland/Ireland XV in the 1970 Centenary of RFU celebration match against a combined England/Wales XV[3] and again in the 1972 Scottish Rugby Union Centenary match.[4]

Honours

He was awarded an MBE for services to the game.

When the International Rugby Hall of Fame was instituted in 1997, Gibson was one of the initial fifteen inductees. Upon his induction into the IRB Hall of Fame in 2011, Gibson was quick to pay tribute to his teammates, calling rugby the greatest team sport.[1]

In January 2012 Gibson was inducted into the Belfast Telegraph Hall of Fame.[5]

In an interview in 2011, Irish rugby great Brian O'Driscoll praised Gibson's contribution to Irish rugby:

At times when Irish rugby wasn't successful Mike was always the shining light. He played international rugby for 15 years and that speaks volumes about him. He was a magnificent player and a true ambassador for the game.[5]

Professional career

After retirement, Gibson practised as a solicitor in Belfast and continued to play an active role in the rugby community.[1] Fellow Irish international David Humphreys trained as a solicitor in Gibson's firm.

References
  1. "Mike Gibson inducted into IRB Hall of Fame" (Press release). International Rugby Board. 11 May 2011. Archived from the original on 13 May 2011. Retrieved 11 May 2011.
  2. "The British & Irish Lions: Mike Gibson".
  3. "Big Match & Celebration Programmes". Rugbyrelics.com. Archived from the original on 18 January 2006. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
  4. "Mike Gibson – The Greatest". 16 April 2013. Archived from the original on 13 December 2021. Retrieved 23 July 2013 – via YouTube.
  5. Beacom, Steven (18 January 2012). "Belfast Telegraph Sports Awards: Mike Gibson a true Ulster legend". Belfast Telegraph.
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