Alan Skene

Alan Leslie Skene (2 October 1932 – 13 August 2001) was a South African dual-code international rugby union, and professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1950s and 1960s. He played representative level rugby union for South Africa, and at provincial level for Western Province, as a centre, and representative level rugby league for South Africa and Rugby League XIII, and at club level for Wakefield Trinity, and South Sydney Rabbitohs, as a centre, or stand-off.^[1][2]

Alan Leslie Skene

Personal information
Full name	Alan Leslie Skene
Born	(1932-10-02)2 October 1932 Cape Town, South Africa
Died	13 August 2001(2001-08-13) (aged 68) George, Western Cape, South Africa
Playing information
Height	5 ft 10.5 in (179 cm)
Weight	11 st 4 lb (72 kg; 158 lb)
Rugby union
Position	Centre
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1958 Western Province Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1958 South Africa 1 0 0 0 0
Rugby league
Position	Centre, Stand-off
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1958–63 Wakefield Trinity 136 69 1963 South Sydney 16 2 0 0 6 Total 152 71 0 0 6 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1961–62 Rugby League XIII 2 2 0 0 6 1963 South Africa ≥2
Source: ^[1]^[2]

Background

Alan Skene was born in Cape Town, South Africa, he was a pupil at Muizenberg High School in Muizenberg, and he died aged 68 in George, Western Cape, South Africa.

Rugby union

Alan Skene won a cap for South Africa while at Western Province playing inside centre against France at Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg on 16 August 1958.

Rugby league

Club career

Alan Skene made his début for Wakefield Trinity, alongside fellow South African Jan Lotriet, in the 19–7 victory over Castleford at Wheldon Road, Castleford on Thursday 25 December 1958.^[3]

Skene played at centre in Wakefield Trinity's 3–27 defeat by Wigan in the Championship Final during the 1959–60 season at Odsal Stadium, Bradford on Saturday 21 May 1960.^[4] He also played at centre, and scored two tries in Wakefield Trinity's 38–5 victory over Hull F.C. in the 1959–60 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 14 May 1960, and played right-centre in the 12–6 victory over Huddersfield in the 1961–62 Challenge Cup Final during the 1961–62 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 12 May 1962.^[5]

Skene played at centre in Wakefield Trinity's 16–10 victory over Huddersfield in the 1960–61 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1960–61 season at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday 29 October 1960, and played at centre, and scored a try in the 19–9 victory over Leeds in the 1961–62 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1961–62 season at Odsal Stadium, Bradford on Saturday 11 November 1961.^[5]

In 1963, Skene played for Australian club, South Sydney.^[6]

Representative honours

Skene represented Rugby League XIII while at Wakefield Trinity, and won caps for South Africa while at Wakefield Trinity in 1963 against Australia (2 matches).

References

1. "Statistics at en.espn.co.uk". en.espn.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
2. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". Rugby League Project. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
3. . thenorthstanders.webs.com. 31 December 2011. Archived from the original on 29 November 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
4. . wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2011. Archived from the original on 21 October 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
5. Hoole, Les (2004). Wakefield Trinity RLFC – FIFTY GREAT GAMES. Breedon Books. ISBN 1-85983-429-9
6. "Meet The New Boys". The Rugby League news. Vol. 44, no. 1. Sydney: N.S.W. Rugby Football League. 5 April 1963. p. 6 – via Trove.

External links

• Hall of Fame at sarugbyleague.co.za
• Biography at sarugbyleague.co.za
• Wakefield Win Cup 1962