Drew Mitchell was one of Australia’s finest finishers over an international career that spanned more than a decade.

Born in Sydney but schooled in Brisbane, Drew starred as a fullback for St Patrick’s College in Shorncliffe. His talents were suitably rewarded with selection for Australian U16s and, in his final year, Australian Schools. 

A prolific try scorer with searing natural speed Drew then represented Australia in the IRB Sevens World Series before he was chosen to captain his country at the 2001 U21s world championships. 

In 2004 Drew made his Super Rugby debut for the Reds against the Highlanders in Invercargill, played for Australia ‘A’ and won a spot on the Wallabies’ Spring Tour. He then enjoyed a breakout 2005 season scoring 11 tries for the Reds, made his Test debut against South Africa in Sydney and was named the Wallaby ‘Rookie of the Year’. 

Drew moved to the Western Force in 2007 and then the Waratahs in 2010 before he signed for RC Toulon for the 2013/14 season. He made a return to the Wallabies under the ‘Giteau Law’ in 2015 and subsequently won selection to a third Rugby World Cup. 

Drew accumulated 71 Test caps and scored 34 Test tries over his twelve year Wallaby career. He holds the Wallaby record for the number of individual countries against which he scored a try on debut (10).

Drew retired in 2017 as Australia’s highest try scorer in World Cup history (14).