Simon Poidevin

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In 1979 Poidevin made his state debut for New South Wales, replacing an injured Greg Craig for New South Wales’ return match against Queensland at T.G. Milner Field. Queensland defeated New South Wales 24–3.

In 1980 Poidevin went on his first overseas rugby tour with the University of NSW to the west coast of North America. The tour included games against the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Stanford, UCLA, Long Beach State and Berkeley.

Following the 1980 University of NSW tour to the west coast of America, Poidevin achieved selection for the Sydney rugby team coached by former Wallaby Peter Crittle. Shortly following this selection, the Sydney rugby side completed a brief tour to New Zealand, that included matches against Waikato, Thames Valley and Auckland. Sydney won all three games, including a 17–9 victory over Auckland. After returning to Australia from New Zealand, Poidevin participated in three preparatory matches Sydney played against Victoria, the ACT and the President's XV – all won convincingly by Sydney. Poidevin then played in Sydney's seventh game of their 1980 season against NSW Country, won 66–3. Poidevin popped the AC joint in his shoulder in the match against NSW Country when Country forward Ross Reynolds fell on top of him while he was at the bottom of a ruck. Due to this injury, Poidevin missed the interstate match between New South Wales and Queensland in 1980, which New South Wales won 36–20 – their first victory over Queensland since 1975.

Shortly following Sydney's win against NSW Country, Poidevin achieved national selection for the 1980 Australia rugby union tour of Fiji. Poidevin concealed his shoulder injury, sustained in the Sydney match against NSW Country, from the Australian team management, so he could play for Australia.

Poidevin made his Australian debut in the Wallabies' first provincial match of the tour against Western Unions on 17 May 1980, which Australia won 25–11. Poidevin played in Australia's second game against Eastern Unions, won 46–14.

Poidevin made his Test debut for Australia following these two provincial matches against Fiji on 24 May 1980, won by Australia 22–9.

Following the 1980 Australia rugby union tour of Fiji, Poidevin played in six consecutive matches against New Zealand – for Australian Universities, Sydney, NSW and in three Tests for the Wallabies.

Poidevin played in the first match of the 1980 New Zealand rugby union tour of Australia and Fiji for Sydney against New Zealand, which was drawn 13–13. Shortly thereafter he played for New South Wales against New Zealand in the All Blacks' fifth match of the tour. New Zealand won the game 12–4.

Poidevin played in Australia's first Test of the 1980 Bledisloe Cup against New Zealand, won 13–9 by the Wallabies. Australia lost the second Test 12–9, in which Poidevin sustained a cut on his face after being rucked across the head by All Black Gary Knight.

Poidevin played for Australian Universities in New Zealand's 10th match of the tour, which was lost 33–3.

However, Poidevin played in the third and deciding Test of the 1980 Bledisloe Cup – his sixth consecutive match played against New Zealand in 1980 – won 26–10.

The series victory over New Zealand in 1980 was the first time Australia had ever retained the Bledisloe Cup, which they had won in 1979 in a one-off Test. It was the first three-Test series victory Australia had ever achieved over New Zealand since 1949, and the first three-Test series they had won against New Zealand on Australian soil since 1934.

In 1981 Poidevin toured Japan with the Australian Universities rugby union team. Australian Universities won four games against Japan's university teams, but lost the final game against All Japan by one point.

Following his brief tour of Japan, Poidevin was selected for the Sydney team to play against a World XV that included players such as New Zealand's Bruce Robertson, Hika Reid and Andy Haden, Wales’ Graham Price, Argentina's Alejandro Iachetti and Hugo Porta and Australia's Mark Loane. The game ended in a 16–16 draw.

Following this match Sydney undertook a procession of representative games that included playing Queensland at Ballymore. Sydney's unbeaten streak of 14 games was broken by Queensland after they defeated Sydney 30–4, scoring four tries. Sydney then lost to New Zealand side Canterbury before responding by defeating Auckland and NSW Country – both games were played at Redfern Oval.

Poidevin was then selected to play for New South Wales in a succession of the matches in 1981. The first match against Manawatu was won 58–3, with NSW scoring 10 tries. Victories over Waikato and Counties followed, before New South Wales were defeated by Queensland 26–15 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. New South Wales played Queensland in a return match a week later in Brisbane that was won 7–6.

Poidevin played for Sydney against France in the third game France played for their 1981 France rugby union tour of Australia, won by Sydney 16–14. Poidevin then played for New South Wales against France for the fifth match of France's Australia tour, lost 21–12.

Poidevin achieved national selection for the two-Test series against France, despite competition for back row positions in the Australian team. The first Test against France marked the first time Poidevin played with Australian eightman Mark Loane and contained the first try Poidevin scored at international Test level. In his biography, For Love Not Money, written with Jim Webster, Poidevin recalls that:

Poidevin played in Australia's second Test against France in Sydney, won by Australia 24–14, giving Australia a 2–0 series victory.

In mid-August 1981 the ARFU held trials to choose a team for the 1981–82 Australia rugby union tour of Britain and Ireland. However, Poidevin was unavailable for these trials after breaking his thumb in a second division club game for the University of New South Wales against Drummoyne. Despite missing the trials, Poidevin still obtained selection for the Seventh Wallabies to tour the Home Nations.

Poidevin played in 13 matches of the 24-game tour, which included all four Tests and provincial matches against Munster (lost 15–6) and North and Midlands (won 36–6).

Poidevin played in Australia's Test victory over Ireland, won 16–12 (Australia's only victory on tour). Australia lost the second Test on tour against Wales 18–13 in what Poidevin later described as "one of the greatest disappointments I’ve experienced in Rugby." The Wallabies then lost their third Test on tour against Scotland 24–15. The final Test against England was lost 15–11.

Poidevin commenced 1982 by switching Sydney club teams, leaving the University of New South Wales for Randwick. In For Love Not Money, Poidevin explained that, "University of NSW had spent the previous two seasons in second division and I very much wanted to play my future club football each week at an ultra-competitive level, so that there wasn’t that huge jump I used to experience going from club to representative ranks." Shortly thereafter Poidevin played in the first Australian club championship between Randwick and Brothers, opposing his former Australian captain Tony Shaw. Randwick won the game 22–13.

Later in the year, Poidevin won his first Sydney premiership with Randwick in their 21–12 victory over Warringah, in which Poidevin scored two tries.

In 1982 Poidevin played rugby union for Sydney under new coach Peter Fenton after Peter Crittle was elevated to coach of New South Wales. Poidevin commenced Sydney's 1982 rugby season with warm-up watches against Victoria and the ACT, before travelling to Fiji, where New South Wales defeated Fiji 21–18. A week later, Sydney defeated Queensland 25–9. The Queensland side featured many players who had played (or would play) for the Wallabies – Stan Pilecki, Duncan Hall, Mark Loane, Tony Shaw, Michael Lynagh, Michael O'Connor, Brendan Moon, Andrew Slack, and Paul McLean. Poidevin was then named captain of Sydney for their next game against NSW Country (won 43–3), after Sydney captain Michael Hawker withdrew with an injury.

In 1982, Scotland toured Australia and lost their third provincial game to Sydney 22–13. However, Poidevin's autobiography does not state whether he played in that game.

Poidevin continued to play for New South Wales in 1982, and travelled to New Zealand for a three-match tour with the team now coached by former Wallaby Peter Crittle and containing a new manager – future Australian coach Alan Jones. New South Wales won their first match against Waikato 43–21, their second match against Taranaki 14–9, and their third and final match against Manawatu 40–13.

Following the tour to New Zealand, Sydney played in a match against a World XV. However, because several European players withdrew, the World XV's forward pack was composed mainly of New Zealand forwards, including Graham Mourie, Andy Haden, Billy Bush and Hika Reid. Sydney won the game 31–13 with several of its players sustaining injuries. Poidevin was severely rucked across the forehead in the game and required several stitches to conceal the wound he sustained. All Black Andy Haden was later confronted by Poidevin at the post-match reception, where he denied culpability. Poidevin would later write that, "All evidence then seemed to point to [Billy] Bush, who was the other prime suspect. But years later Mourie told me that he had been shocked at the incident and, being captain, he spoken to Haden about it at the time. Haden's response? He accused the captain of getting soft." Public calls were made for an injury into the incident, with NSW manager Alan Jones a prominent advocate for Poidevin. However, no action was taken. Poidevin would later write that with examination of videos and judiciary committees "the culprit(s) concerned would have spent a very long time out of the game."

Following NSW's game against the World XV, the team was set to play two interstate games against Queensland – both scheduled to be played in Queensland to celebrate the Queensland Rugby Union's centenary year. Queensland won the first game 23–16. Following an injury to New South Wales captain Mark Ella in the first game, Poidevin was made captain of the team for the first time in his career for the second game, lost 41–7 to Queensland.

Following the interstate series against Queensland, Scotland toured Australia, playing two Tests. With eightman Mark Loane likely to be selected for the Australian team, Poidevin was faced with strong competition for the remaining two back row positions at breakaway, with Tony Shaw, Gary Pearse, Peter Lucas and Chris Roche, all vying for national selection.

Prior to New South Wales' provincial game against Scotland, a newspaper headline read "Poidevin Needs a Blinder". Scotland defeated New South Wales 31–7, and Poidevin missed out on national selection, with newly appointed Australian coach Bob Dwyer selecting Queenslanders Chris Roche and Tony Shaw for the remaining back row positions. This was the first time Poidevin was dropped from the Australia team.

After missing out on national selection for the two-Test series against Scotland, Poidevin regained his spot in the Australian side for the 1982 Australia rugby union tour of New Zealand, after 10 Australian players (nine of them from Queensland) announced that for professional and personal reasons they were withdrawing from the tour.

The Australian side surprised rugby pundits with their early success, winning all five provincial games in the lead-up to the first Test. However, Australia lost the first Test to New Zealand 23–16 in Christchurch. Poidevin would later remark that: "Out on the field it felt like a real flogging, and personally I'd been well outplayed by their skipper Graham Mourie, a player of great intelligence and an inspiring leader."

Australia won the second Test 19–16 in what Poidevin would later call "one of the most courageous victories by any of the Australian sides with which I've been associated." Australia held a 19–3 halftime lead. From there, Poidevin recalled that:

However, Australia would go on to lose the third and series-deciding Test to the All Blacks 33–18. Despite this, the tour was deemed a success for Australia, with the team scoring 316 points, including 47 tries on tour.

Following the tour, Poidevin played in another Queensland Rugby Union centenary game between the Barbarians and Queensland.

Poidevin was a member of the Wallabies for the 1983 Australia rugby union tour of Italy and France. Australia won their opening tour game against Italy B in L'Aquila 26–0, before travelling to Padova for the first Test on tour against Italy, won 29–7.

Australia won its first provincial game on the French leg of a tour, a 19–16 victory over a French selection XV in Strasbourg. However, Poidevin would later describe it as 'the most vicious game I've ever been part of.' The Wallabies drew the next game against French Police at Le Creusot, and then defeated another French selection side 27–7 at Grenoble. However, after remaining undefeated up until this point of the tour, Australia then lost two matches – a 15–9 defeat to a French Selection XV at Perpignan and a 36–6 loss to a French Selection XV at Agen.

Australia drew its first Test against France at Clermont-Ferrand 15–15. In For Love Not Money, Poidevin remembered that:

Australia's back row of Poidevin, Chris Roche and Steve Tuynman received positive reviews for its performance in the first Test against the French back row, which included Jean-Pierre Rives.

Australia then won its next provincial match against French Army 16–10.

France defeated Australia in the second Test 15–6, giving them a 1–0–1 series victory over the Wallabies. In For Love Not Money, Poidevin documented that:

Poidevin concluded the 1983 Australia rugby union tour of Italy and France in the Wallabies' 23–21 victory against the French Barbarians, in what he described as 'the most exciting game on tour.'

In 1984, Australia coach Bob Dwyer was challenged by Manly coach Alan Jones for the position of national coach. Poidevin publicly supported Dwyer's reelection as national coach. However, on 24 February 1984, Jones replaced Dwyer as head of the Australia national team. Despite this, Poidevin would go on to become one of Jones' greatest supporters and loyal players. In For Love Not Money, Poidevin wrote of Jones that:

Poidevin commenced his 1984 season in March by captaining a 23-man Sydney team for a six-match tour of Italy, France, England, Wales and Ireland. This was the second time the Sydney rugby team had undertaken a major tour, the first since 1977. Poidevin played throughout the tour with a broken finger, which he had sustained before departing from Australia. Sydney won the first game against the Zebre Invitation XV at Livorno in Italy, then won the second match against Toulon 25–18 at Toulon, and narrowly lost to Brive. In Great Britain, Sydney defeated a Brixham XV at Brixham, lost to Swansea by eight points in Swansea, and lost to Ulster 19–16 after leading them 16–0 at halftime. In For Love Not Money, lamented his debut performances captaining a representative rugby team:

Later in the year, during the 1984 New Zealand rugby union tour of Australia, and after Australia's first Test victory over New Zealand, controversy arose when eight Sydney players were withdrawn from New Zealand's tour match against Sydney – Poidevin, Philip Cox, Mark Ella, Michael Hawker, Ross Reynolds, Steve Williams, Steve Cutler and Topo Rodriguez. This decision drew criticism from the Sydney Rugby Union and its coach Peter Fenton. However, Poidevin was not allowed to play in Sydney's game against the All Blacks, lost 28–3.

After playing through the Sydney rugby club's 1984 European tour with a broken finger, Poidevin had surgery on his broken finger before returning to his first game for Randwick in 1984 on 19 May, playing against Sydney University in a match where he scored two tries.

Poidevin's national representative season for the Wallabies commenced on the 1984 Australia rugby union tour of Fiji. He played in the Wallabies' first tour game – a 19–3 victory against Western XV at Churchill Park. He was then rested for the second match against the Eastern Selection XV at National Stadium, which Australia won 15–4. He then played in Australia's single Test on tour, a 16–3 victory over Fiji. In For Love Not Money, Poidevin recalled that:

Following the 1984 Australia rugby union tour of Fiji, Poidevin was among several New South Wales players who declined to go on the Waratahs 1984 three-match tour to New Zealand. However, following this tour he played for New South Wales against Queensland at Ballymore in a game the Waratahs lost 13–3. Poidevin then played for New South Wales against the All Blacks in New Zealand's second game of the 1984 New Zealand rugby union tour of Australia, which the Waratahs lost 37–10.

Poidevin played in all three Tests of the 1984 Bledisloe Cup Test Series against New Zealand, which the Wallabies lost 2–1. Australia defeated New Zealand 16–9 in the first Test on 21 July 1984 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Poidevin would later write that: 'We won 16–9, scoring two tries to nil before 40,797 spectators... Cuts absolutely dominated the game, and I tremendously enjoyed my role of minder behind him in the lineouts, which we won 25–16. With all that ball, everything else fell into place and Andrew Slack later described the way Australia played as the most disciplined performance he'd ever been involved in.' However, New Zealand would rebound from their first Test loss to win the second Test 19–15. Poidevin documented that:

Australia would go on to lose the third and series-deciding Test to New Zealand, 25–24. In For Love Not Money, Poidevin remembered that:

However, Poidevin later concluded that: 'We were all deeply distressed at losing a series to New Zealand by a single point in the decider, but it certainly strengthened our resolve to succeed on the forthcoming tour of the British Isles. We were really going to make amends over there.'

Poidevin toured with the Eighth Wallabies for the 1984 Australia rugby union tour of Britain and Ireland that won rugby union's "grand slam", the first Australian side to defeat all four home nations, England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland, on a tour. Poidevin scored four tries from 10 tour games, which included all four Test matches and the tour-closing match against the Barbarians, for a total of 16 points on tour.

Poidevin played in Australia's first match on tour against London Counties at Twickenham, which the Wallabies won 22–3. He was then rested for the second tour match against South and South West, drawn 12–12. He played in the third tour match against Cardiff. In For Love Not Money he wrote that: ‘Cardiff are one of the great rugby clubs of the world and to draw them so early in the tour presented us with a huge hurdle. It was all deadly serious stuff during the build-up to that game...’ Terry Cooper reported that: ‘Cardiff went clear at 16–0 after 61 minutes when Davies swept home a 20-metre penalty. By then, solid rain had begun to sweep the ground and Cardiff were forced to replace flanker Gareth Roberts with Robert Lakin. Davies’ penalty was correctly awarded following a late tackle by Simon Poidevin. Davies stood up, shook himself down and landed the goal.’ The Wallabies went on to lose to Cardiff 16–12. Poidevin played in the fourth match on tour against Combined Services, won 55–9. He was then rested for the fifth match on tour against Swansea, which the Wallabies won 17–7 after the match had to be prematurely abandoned due to a blackout with 12 minutes remaining in the game.

Poidevin played in the first Test of the Grand Slam tour against England, beating Chris Roche for the remaining back row position. Australia defeated England 19–3. The Wallabies were level with England at 3–3 at halftime. However, Australia scored three second half tries – the last scored by Poidevin. In For Love Not Money Poidevin remembered that: ‘For the last of our three tries I was tailing Campese down the touchline like a faithful sheepdog when he tossed me an overhead pass and over I went to score the Twickenham try every kid dreams of.’ Terry Cooper reported Poidevin's try in Victorious Wallabies:

In Path to Victory Terry Smith further gave a depiction of the play that led to Poidevin's try:

Poidevin was rested for Australia's seven-match on tour against Midlands Division, which Australia won 21–18.

Poidevin played in Australia's second Test on tour against Ireland, won 16–9. In For Love Not Money Poidevin documented a mistake that he made which nearly cost the Wallabies the match:

In Running Rugby Mark Ella described this movement which ended in Poidevin's forward pass:

In The Top 100 Wallabies (2004) Poidevin told rugby writer Peter Jenkins that: 'I remember blowing a try against Ireland when I threw a forward pass to Matt Burke. I still worry about that.

Poidevin was rested for Australia's ninth match on tour against Ulster, lost 16–9. Poidevin returned to the Australian team for its 10th match on tour, a 31–19 victory over Munster in which he scored his second try on tour. Terry Cooper documented that: 'Ward kicked two late penalties, but in between Simon Poidevin, on hand as always, scored Australia's third try, which had been made possible by Ella's sinuous running.' Poidevin would later remark that, 'Our forwards display was probably our best in a non-Test match.' He was then rested, along with most of the starting Test side, for the Wallabies' 12th game of tour, a 19–16 loss to Llanelli.

Poidevin played in the Wallabies' third Test on tour, defeating Wales, won 28–9, during which he delivered the final pass for a Michael Lynagh try by linking with David Campese and was involved in a famous pushover try.

In The Top 100 Wallabies Poidevin recalled that: "But in the next Test against Wales I threw probably my best pass ever for Michael Lynagh to score." Peter Jenkins in Wallaby Gold: The History of Australian Test Rugby documented that: "Farr-Jones helped create another try by using the short side. Campese made a superb run, Poidevin backed up and Lynagh touched down." Terry Smith in Path to Victory wrote that: "Lynagh's second try came after Farr-Jones again escaped up the blind side from a scrum to set up a dazzling break by David Campese. Simon Poidevin's backing up didn't happen by accident either. He always tries to trail Campese on the inside. Terry Cooper also depicted Poidevin's role in Lynagh's try in Victorious Wallabies:

In For Love Not Money Poidevin recalled the Wallabies's performance, and documented the famous pushover try:

Following the Test against Wales, Poidevin was rested for the Wallabies' next match against Northern Division, which they won 19–12. Poidevin would later write that, "This was one of the better teams we'd seen on tour, and included Rob Andrew at five-eighth." However, Jones selected Poidevin for the next match, the Wallabies' 14th game on tour, a 9–6 loss to South of Scotland. However, Poidevin and the entire starting Test team was then rested for the 15th match on tour, a 26–12 victory over Glasgow.

Poidevin played in Australia's fourth and final Test on tour, a 37–12 victory over Scotland, giving the Wallabies their first ever Grand Slam.

He was then rested for the Wallabies's 17th match on tour against Pontypool, before playing in the tour-closing game against the Barbarians. He scored two tries in the game against the Barbarians. Terry Cooper reported that: "Lynagh converted and added the points to a try by Simon Poidevin, who was put in following a loop between Ella and Slack and hard running by Lynagh." Poidevin also scored a second try in the last 10 minutes of the game, which was won 37–30.

In For Love Not Money, Poidevin paid tribute to the 1984 Grand Slam Wallabies by writing that:

Poidevin commenced the 1985 international season with the Wallabies with a two-Test series against Canada. Australia defeated Canada 59–3 in the first Test and 43–15 in the second Test. In For Love Not Money Poidevin recollected that, "Australia copped a fair amount of criticism for their play, but this really was unnecessary because you couldn't have asked for a more disciplined performance than our first Test win."

Poidevin then played with the Wallabies for the one-off Bledisloe Cup Test against the All Blacks. Australia was without several players from their 1984 Grand Slam Tour. Mark Ella and Andrew Slack had retired (Slack would come out of retirement in 1986) and David Campese was injured. The Wallabies lost to the All Blacks 10–9. In For Love Not Money Poidevin recounted that:

More than a month following the Bledisloe Cup Test loss, Poidevin played in Australia's two-Test series against Fiji, which Australia won 2–0. The first Test was won 52–28 and the second Test was won 31–9.

In For Love Not Money Poidevin criticised the Australian Rugby Union for not capitalising upon the marketing opportunities opened up by the success of the 1984 Grand Slam Wallabies.

At the commencement of the Wallabies' 1986 season, Poidevin came into contention for the Australian captaincy. The Wallabies captain for 1985, Steve Williams, had decided to retire from international rugby to concentrate on his stock-broking career. However, Andrew Slack, the captain of the 1984 Grand Slam Wallabies, had decided to come out of retirement and play international rugby, causing a dilemma within the Australian side. Alan Jones approached Poidevin for his thoughts on the situation. In For Love Not Money Poidevin wrote that: 'I certainly didn't lack ambition to captain Australia, but Slacky had been such a tremendous captain that my initial feelings were that if he wanted the job again then he should have it although this effectively put a hold on my own captaincy aspirations for another season.'

In March, Poidevin played in the World Sevens at Concord Oval. Australia was defeated by New Zealand 32–0 in the final. The final was the first time that Poidevin would oppose Wayne Shelford, in what would be the beginning of a fierce rivalry between the two men. In For Love Not Money Poidevin remembered that:

Poidevin then participated in the Hong Kong Sevens where Australia were knocked out in the semi-final by the French Barbarians. He would later reflect: "I thought my own play was diabolical. They scored a couple of easy tries early on through what I felt was my lax defence." He further added: "I was pretty chopped up after that loss, particularly as I'd been very keen to make the final so that I could have another crack at the New Zealanders."

In 1986, Poidevin travelled to the United Kingdom for two matches commemorating the centenary of the International Rugby Board (IRB) featuring players from around the world. Poidevin was selected along with fellow Wallabies Andrew Slack, Steve Cutler, Nick Farr-Jones, Tom Lawton, Roger Gould, Steve Tuynman, Michael Lynagh and Topo Rodriguez for the two-match celebration.

The first match Poidevin participated in was playing for a World XV (dubbed "The Rest") containing players from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and France to be coached by Brian Lochore, that played against the British Lions, after the Lions 1986 tour to South Africa had been cancelled. The World XV contained:

15. Serge Blanco (France), 14. John Kirwan (New Zealand), 13. Andrew Slack (Australia), 12. Michael Lynagh (Australia), 11. Patrick Estève (France), 10. Wayne Smith (New Zealand), 9. Nick Farr-Jones (Australia), 8. Murray Mexted (New Zealand), 7. Simon Poidevin (Australia), 6. Mark Shaw (New Zealand), 5. Burger Geldenhuys (South Africa), 4. Steve Cutler (Australia), 3. Gary Knight (New Zealand), 2. Tom Lawton (Australia), 1. Enrique Rodríguez (Australia).

The World XV won the match 15–7, in which Poidevin scored a try after taking an inside pass from Serge Blanco. In For Love Not Money, Poidevin remembered that:

The second match was the Five Nations XV v Overseas Unions XV. The Overseas Unions XV was a team composed of players from the three major Southern Hemisphere rugby-playing nations – Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The Overseas Unions XV team contained:

15. Roger Gould (Australia), 14. John Kirwan (New Zealand), 13. Danie Gerber (South Africa), 12. Warwick Taylor (New Zealand), 11. Carel du Plessis (South Africa), 10. Naas Botha (South Africa), 9. Dave Loveridge (New Zealand), 8. Steve Tuynman (Australia), 7. Simon Poidevin (Australia), 6. Mark Shaw (New Zealand), 5. Andy Haden (New Zealand), 4. Steve Cutler (Australia), 3. Gary Knight (New Zealand), 2. Andy Dalton (New Zealand), 1. Enrique Rodríguez (Australia)

The Overseas Unions XV defeated the Five Nations XV 32–13. John Mason, of The Daily Telegraph in London, reported: "Here was a forthright exercise of deeply-rooted skills of an uncanny mix of athleticism and aggression which permitted the overseas unions of the southern hemisphere to thrash the Five Nations of the northern hemisphere in a manner as stylish as it was merciless."

During the IRB centenary celebration matches, Poidevin discovered from his New Zealand teammates that they were planning to travel from London to South Africa for a rebel tour against South Africa following the Five Nations XV v Overseas Unions XV match. After it was revealed that All Blacks breakaway Jock Hobbs may not be able to join the tour after suffering a concussion, All Blacks Andy Haden and Murray Mexted approached Poidevin and asked him if he would be willing to join them in South Africa as a member of the New Zealand Cavaliers if Hobbs had to withdraw. Poidevin gave the All Blacks players his contact details, but Hobbs ultimately played on the tour and Poidevin was never contacted.

In For Love Not Money Poidevin reflected that: "What an experience it would have been! I chuckled a few times imagining myself not just playing alongside four or five All Blacks but being one-out in the whole All Black team. Alas, the invitation never came…

Following New South Wales’ loss in the return interstate match against Queensland, Poidevin was asked to stand-by as a reserve for a game Randwick played against Parramatta at Granville Park. Poidevin came on to replace Randwick flanker John Maxwell during the match, but had to leave the field less than a minute after he entered the game after a head-on collision with Randwick teammate Brett Dooley and left him bleeding profusely. He would later say, "as far as rugby injuries go, it was easily the worst I've had".

Poidevin was appointed captain of the New South Wales Waratahs in 1986 for the inaugural South Pacific Championship. He captained the side to victories over Fiji (50–10) and Queensland 18–12 at Concord Oval. However, Queensland defeated New South Wales in the return game at Ballymore following the Wallabies' first Test of 1986 against Italy.

Poidevin played in the Wallabies' first Test of the 1986 season against Italy (won 39–18) under the captaincy of Andrew Slack. In For Love Not Money Poidevin reflected upon having missed a chance to captain the Wallabies:

Poidevin played in the Wallabies' second Test of the 1986 season against France, who toured Australia as joint Five Nations champions. Australia defeated France 27–14, despite France scoring three tries to Australia's one. Poidevin would later call it "one of the most devastating performances by an Australian forward pack", adding that "our domination of territory and possession kept them right out of the Test." The Wallabies were later criticised by the Australian press for playing non-expansive rugby. Poidevin responded to these criticisms in For Love Not Money, writing that:

After the Test against France, with Andrew Slack making himself absent for Australia's 1986 two-Test series against Argentina, Poidevin was awarded the Australian captaincy for the first time in his career.

Australia won the two-Test series, winning the first Test 39–18 and the second Test 26–0, under Poidevin's captaincy.

Following Australia's domestic Tests in 1986 against Italy, France and Argentina, Poidevin toured with the Wallabies for the 1986 Australia rugby union tour of New Zealand. The 1986 Australia Wallabies became the second Australian rugby team to beat the All Blacks in New Zealand in a rugby union Test series. They are one of five rugby union sides to win a rugby Test series in New Zealand, along with the 1937 South African Springboks, the 1949 Australian Wallabies, the 1971 British Lions, and the 1994 French touring side.

Poidevin played in Australia's first Test against an All Blacks side dubbed the 'Baby Blacks', because several New Zealand players had been banned from playing in the first Test for participating in the rebel Cavaliers tour. The Wallabies defeated the All Blacks 13–12. He participated in the Wallabies' second Test against the All Blacks at Carisbrook Park. New Zealand was bolstered by the return of nine Cavaliers players to their side who didn't play in the first Test – Gary Knight, Hika Reid, Steve McDowell, Murray Pierce, Gary Whetton, Jock Hobbs, Allan Whetton, Warwick Taylor and Craig Green. The Wallabies lost the match 13–12 – the fourth consecutive Bledisloe Cup Test decided by a one-point margin. However, Australia rebounded to win the third Test 22–9 against New Zealand, winning the series 2–1. In For Love Not Money, Poidevin described the third Test, writing that:

In For Love Not Money, first published before the 1991 Rugby World Cup, Poidevin called the 1986 Bledisloe Cup series victory the high point of his rugby career:

Following Australia's Bledisloe Cup series victory over New Zealand, Greg Growden from The Sydney Morning Herald asked Poidevin what winning the series meant to him. He responded, ‘Now I can live life in peace.’

Poidevin commenced his 1987 rugby season by participating in the annual Hong Kong Sevens tournament in April. With Alan Jones as coach and David Campese as captain, Australia were defeated by Fiji in the semi-final, after trailing 14–0 after five minutes of play, before going on to lose 14–8.

Following the Hong Kong Sevens, Poidevin participated in the NSW Sevens at Concord Oval. Australia defeated Western Samoa, Korea and the Netherlands on the first day, before beating Tonga in the quarter-final and Korea in the semi-final. Australia then defeated New Zealand in the final 22–12, in what Poidevin later described as "one of the most satisfying and gutsy [victories] that I’ve been associated with in an Australian team."

During the 1987 Hong Kong Sevens Poidevin was informed via telex message that he had been removed as captain of the New South Wales team and replaced by Nick Farr-Jones by new coach Paul Dalton.

Following his removal as captain of New South Wales, Poidevin played in the 1987 South Pacific Championship. New South Wales won three of the tournament's five matches – a victory of Canterbury (25–24), an 19–18 loss to Auckland, a 23–20 victory of Fiji, a 40–15 win over Wellington, and a 17–6 loss to Queensland.

Following the 1987 Rugby World Cup, Poidevin played in one more match for New South Wales against Queensland at Concord Oval in Sydney, winning 21–19.

Prior to the commencement of the 1987 Rugby World Cup, Poidevin played for the Wallabies in a preparatory match against Korea, won 65–18.

Shortly thereafter, he played in Australia's opening match of the 1987 Rugby World Cup against England, won 19–6. Afterwards, he was rested for Australia's second World Cup pool game against the United States. He returned for Australia's next pool match against Japan, his 43rd Test cap for Australia, giving him the record for most international Tests played for the Wallabies, surpassing the record previously held by Australia hooker Peter Johnson (1959–1971). Australia defeated Japan 42–23. To commemorate Poidevin breaking the record for most Test appearances for Australia, Wallabies captain Andrew Slack gave the captaincy to Poidevin for this Test. This was the third of four occasions that Poidevin captained Australia in his Test career.

Poidevin then played in Australia's quarter-final Test against Ireland in what rugby journalist Greg Campbell, writing for The Australian, called "one of Australia's best, well-controlled and most dominant opening 25 minutes of rugby ever seen." Following a half-time lead of 24–0, Australia went on to defeat Ireland 33–15. He then played in Australia's semi-final match against France, lost 30–24. In For Love Not Money he described the semi-final as one of the greatest games of rugby he ever played in. "That semi-final has been described as one of the finest games in the history of rugby football", he wrote. "It had everything. Power, aggression, skills, finesse, speed, atmosphere and reams of excitement." He concluded his 1987 Rugby World Cup campaign in the Wallabies' 22–21 third-place playoff loss to Wales.

Following the 1987 Rugby World Cup, Poidevin was dropped from the Australian team for the single Bledisloe Cup Test of 1987, lost 30–16. This was the second time in his international career that he was dropped from the Australian team.

Poidevin commenced his 1989 rugby season by making himself unavailable to play for New South Wales. However, he continued to make himself available for Australian selection. In For Love Not Money Poidevin wrote that, "I’d spent most of my years with the club [Randwick] in an absentee role while tied up with representative teams, and before I retired I wanted to have at least one full season wearing the myrtle green jersey."

Poidevin finished the year winning The Sydney Morning Herald best-and-fairest competition for the Sydney Club Competition with his teammate Brad Burke. He also won the Rothmans Medal for the best and fairest in the Sydney Rugby Competition.

Despite losing the major semi-final (a non-elimination game) to Eastwood, Randwick made it to the 1989 grand final where they played Eastwood again. Poidevin finished his 1989 season with Randwick with a 19–6 victory over Eastwood in the grand final at Concord Oval. The premiership win was Randwick's third consecutive grand final victory, their ninth in twelve years, and their 13th straight grand final.

Poidevin played at the International Sevens at Concord Oval in March 1989. However, Australia made an early exit from the tournament. Later he toured with Australia for the Hong Kong Sevens, where Australia made it to the final, only to lose to New Zealand 22–10.

Despite making himself unavailable for city and state selection in 1989, Poidevin was pressed by his Randwick coach Jeffrey Sayle to play for Sydney in a game against Country, which he did in a game Sydney comprehensively won.

Despite Poidevin making himself unavailable in 1989 for New South Wales, following an unexpected run of injuries, the New South Wales management asked Poidevin to play for them in a game against the touring 1989 British Lions. Poidevin agreed and played in a 23–21 loss to the Lions.

Despite making himself unavailable for the 1988 Australia rugby union tour of England, Scotland and Italy, and further announcing his unavailability for state selection, Poidevin had hoped to achieve national selection for the Australian Test series against the British Lions. However, Scott Gourley was selected as Australia's blindside flanker, following a good tour to the UK in 1988. Instead, Poidevin played in the curtain raiser to the first Test, playing for Randwick in a game against Eastern Suburbs.

After Australia won the first Test against the British Lions, Poidevin did not achieve national selection for the second Test. However, after the Lions defeated Australia in a violent second Test, public calls were made for Poidevin to be included in the third and series-deciding Test to harden the Australian forward pack. These calls were ignored, Poidevin missed selection for the third Test, and Australia lost to the Lions in the third Test 19–18.

Following the 1989 British Lions series, Poidevin achieved national selection for the only time in 1989 for the one-off Bledisloe Cup Test against New Zealand to be played in Auckland. Peter Jenkins in Wallaby Gold: The History of Australian Test Rugby documented that:

Australia fielded a relatively inexperienced side, and with Phil Kearns, Tim Horan and Tony Daly making their debut for the Wallabies, Poidevin assumed a senior role within the side. Poidevin would later describe the Test as "one of the best Test matches I’d experienced." Against an All Blacks side that had been undefeated since 1987, Australia trailed 6–3 at half-time, but went on to lose 24–12.

Following Australia's one-off Bledisloe Cup Test of 1989, Poidevin then made himself unavailable for the 1989 Australia rugby union tour of France.

Poidevin did not play international rugby in 1990. He missed the three-Test home series played between Australia and France, the following match against the United States, before making himself unavailable for the 1990 Australia rugby union tour to New Zealand. In For Love Not Money Poidevin wrote that, "I'd made this journey on long tours in 1982 and 1986 and had no desire to undertake 'one of the life's great pleasures once again.'" Poidevin was one of Australia's three premier flankers to make himself unavailable for the tour, along with Jeff Miller and David Wilson.

In the Sydney club premiership, Poidevin played in Randwick's grand final victory over Eastern Suburbs, won 32–9 – Randwick's fourth consecutive premiership in a row and their tenth since 1978. He also played in Mark Ella's final game for Randwick against the English club Bath, winning 20–3.

Poidevin commenced his 1991 rugby season by participating in a three-day sevens tournament held in Punta del Este in Uruguay, as part of an ANZAC side composed of both Australian and New Zealand players (and one Uruguayan). Poidevin played alongside players such as Australia's Darren Junee and All Blacks Zinzan Brooke, Walter Little, Craig Innes and John Timu. On the first night of the tournament the ANZAC side won all its games, giving them a day's break before the knock-out stage. The ANZAC side won their quarter-final and semi-final in extra time, before defeating an Argentinean club side in the final.

In February Poidevin travelled back to South America with the New South Wales rugby union team for a three-match tour, before one extra game to be played in New Zealand against North Harbour. New South Wales defeated Rosario 36–12, before drawing against Tucumán 15–15 in the second match of the tour, after which New South Wales finished their tour with a 13–10 victory over Mendoza. New South Wales finished their overseas tour with one match in New Zealand against Wayne Shelford's North Harbour team. Much media interest surrounded the battle that Poidevin would have with Shelford. New South Wales defeated North Harbour 19–12.

Following his overseas tour with New South Wales, Poidevin was part of New South Wales’ domestic season for 1991.

New South Wales won their first two matches against New Zealand domestic teams, defeating Waikato 20–12 and then Otago 28–17.

New South Wales then commenced their interstate games against Queensland. New South Wales defeated Queensland 24–18 at Ballymore in the first interstate game, before defeating Queensland 21–12 at Concord Oval in Sydney. The double-defeat of Queensland marked only the second time in the previous 16 years that New South Wales had defeated Queensland in two games in the same domestic season.

New South Wales then faced the touring 1991 Five Nation champion English side that had also won the Grand Slam that year. New South Wales defeated England 21–19. New South Wales then faced the touring Welsh side, defeating them 71–8.

New South Wales’ three wins and a draw in Argentina, plus six wins in their domestic season, meant that they finished their 1991 season with nine wins, one draw, and no losses.

Poidevin missed national selection for Australia's first Test of the 1991 season against Wales, with Australian selectors choosing Jeff Miller as Australia's openside flanker for their first Test against Wales, thus breaking apart the New South Wales back row of Poidevin, Willie Ofahengaue, and Tim Gavin. Australia defeated Wales 63–6 and Miller was acclaimed Australia's man of the match.

Following Australia's victory over Wales, Miller was controversially dropped from the Australian rugby union side in favour of Poidevin for Australia's one-off Test against 1991 Five Nations Champions England.

Miller's dropping caused controversy following his man of the match performance, and many Queenslanders expressed their disapproval of Australia coach Bob Dwyer's selection. Queensland captain Michael Lynagh went public criticising Dwyer for dropping Miller.

Dwyer explained his selection by stating that, ‘England pose a great threat close to the scrum and we need to combat that. For that reason, we need Poidevin ahead of Miller, just for his strength.’

Poidevin's return to the Australian side marked the first time he played for the national team since the one-off 1989 Bledisloe Cup Test. It also marked a rare time when Poidevin was selected in the openside flanker position for Australia (Poidevin generally played on the blindside). Australia defeated England 40–15 at the Sydney Football Stadium in which Poidevin suffered a pinched nerve in his shoulder during the 60th minute of the Test. Gordon Bray said on commentary during the match: 'Simon Poidevin – maybe not 100 per cent – but I'll tell you, they'll need a crowbar to get Poido off the field.'

Poidevin then played in the first Bledisloe Cup Test of 1991 at the Sydney Football Stadium, with Australia victorious over New Zealand 21–12. Poidevin opposed All Black Michael Jones, then widely regarded the best flanker in the world.

Poidevin played in the second Bledisloe Cup Test played in Auckland, which New Zealand won 6–3. In For Love Not Money, Poidevin criticised the performance of Scottish referee Ken McCarthy "for effectively destroying the Test as a spectacle." Poidevin wrote that:

Following Australia's international season prior to the 1991 Rugby World Cup Poidevin played in Randwick's playoff matches in the Sydney Rugby Competition. Randwick lost to Eastern Suburbs 25–12 in the major semi-final (a non-elimination match), before rebounding by defeating Parramatta in the final, and then beating Eastern Suburbs in a return match in the Grand Final 28–9. Randwick's Grand Final victory in the 1991 Sydney Club Competition was their fifth-straight premiership and their 11th in their previous 14 years.

Poidevin was a member of the victorious Australia team at the 1991 Rugby World Cup, playing in five of their six Tests in the tournament (he was rested for the Test against Western Samoa).

Poidevin played in Australia's first group-stage match of the tournament against Argentina, in a back row composed of himself, Willie Ofahengaue and John Eales at number eight. Australia won the first match 32–19. Australia coach Bob Dwyer was critical of the Australian forwards following the Test, indicating that he was dissatisfied with the Australian second and back row.

Poidevin's was rested for Australia Test against Western Samoa. Australia won the Test 9–3 with Australian fly-half Michael Lynagh kicking three successful penalty goals. Lynagh's on-field captaincy, due to the absence of an injured Nick Farr-Jones, received praise from Poidevin following the Test. The Australian team was heavily criticised following their narrow win against Western Samoa.

Poidevin played in Australia's third and final group match against Wales, in a back row now composed of himself, Jeff Miller at openside, and Willie Ofahengaue at number eight. Australia won the Test 38–3 in what was Wales' then largest defeat on home soil. The Australian forwards received praise from Dwyer.

Poidevin played in Australia's quarter-final against Ireland. In the 74th minute of the Test Irish flanker Gordon Hamilton scored a run-away try that gave Ireland the lead. Following Ralph Keyes' successful conversion in the 76th minute for Ireland, Australia had four minutes to win the Test. In the final stages of the quarter-final, on-field Australian captain Michael Lynagh called a play that brought David Campese toward that Australian forwards on a scissors’ movement. As a maul formed around David Campese, the Irish hooker Steve Smith came close to ripping the ball from Campese before Poidevin grabbed hold of the ball and drove Australia forward, allowing Australia to be given the scrum feed. Australia scored the game-winning try in the following phase of play, defeating Ireland 19–18.

Following Australia's narrow quarter-final victory over Ireland, Poidevin's place in the Australian side came under scrutiny. In The Winning Way, Dwyer relates that, "We decided that we needed changes, believing that we could not beat the All Blacks with the team which scraped through against Ireland. One selector was definite on this point. ‘If we choose that same forward pack,’ he said, ‘we will be presenting the match to New Zealand.’ In particular, we knew that we could not allow New Zealand to dominate us at the back of the line-out. Reluctantly, we left Jeff Miller out of the team and replaced him with Troy Coker."

In Dwyer's second autobiography Full Time: A Coach's Memoir the selector noted in Dwyer's first autobiography is revealed to be former Australian coach John Connolly. Dwyer wrote that, "We had edged through the pool games without Tim [Gavin], never quite managing to get the forward mix quite right to compensate for his absence. I can remember the hard-headed Queensland coach and Wallabies selector John Connolly remarking before the semi that if we selected the same back row we might as well give the game to the All Blacks."

However, in Perfect Union, the autobiography of Australian centres Tim Horan and Jason Little, a conflicting account to Dwyer's is given of Miller's dropping. Biographer Michael Blucher documented that:

In Full Time: A Coach's Memoir Dwyer explained his decision to drop Miller and keep Poidevin was due to Poidevin's strength. He wrote that, "Leading up to that match our flanker Jeff Miller had been absolutely brilliant but we made the extremely unpopular decision to drop him in favour of the more physically-imposing Simon Poidevin."

Poidevin played in Australia's semi-final against New Zealand, in which the Wallabies defeated the All Blacks 16–6.

Poidevin played in Australia's 12–6 victory over England to win the 1991 Rugby World Cup. Among the highlights of the final was a tackle that English flanker Mickey Skinner made on Poidevin in the 20th minute. In For Love Not Money Poidevin recollects that, "Among the many moments I remember from the final was the hit on me early in the game by rival flanker Mickey Skinner, without doubt the best English player on the day. I spotted him only a fraction of a second before he collected me with his shoulder and he caught me a beauty. He waited for a reaction and got it. 'Do your bloody best, pal!' and I laughed at him. I wasn't about to let him know that it was a great hit and my head was still spinning."

Dwyer recounts the devastating tackle Skinner made on Poidevin in The Winning Way, writing that, "One of my memories of the first half is Simon Poidevin retaining possession after he was brought down in a heavy tackle by Micky Skinner. The tackle shook the bones of the people watching from the grandstand, so I can imagine its effect on Poidevin. After the match, I asked Poidevin in a light-hearted way how he enjoyed the tackle. He replied, 'I didn't lose possession, did I?' That was the important thing."

Following the 1991 Rugby World Cup, Poidevin retired from international rugby. He played 59 times for the Wallabies, becoming the first Australian to play 50 Tests. He captained the team on four occasions.

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