Daniel
Herbert

Daniel Herbert is a retired rugby union outside centre famed for playing a key role in Australia’s 1999 Rugby World Cup win.

Daniel Herbert Bio

Daniel Herbert is considered to be one of Australia’s best centres and is perhaps best known for his key role in the Wallabies’ Rugby World Cup win in 1999 and being a major part of the ‘Golden Era’ of Australian rugby union.

Born in Brisbane, Australia in February 1974, Daniel Herbert spent the majority of his domestic rugby union career with his local side Queensland Reds. He made his debut in 1993 before the club became the Reds, playing for Queensland as a provincial side in the Super 10.

Daniel Herbert remained with Queensland Reds when they joined what was the Super 12 in 1996. He went on to make over 120 appearances before eventually leaving in 2003 to join up with French side USA Perpignan. Unfortunately, a serious neck injury early in the 2003-04 season meant he would only make seven appearances for the side and despite surgery he was forced to retire from the game.

Across his domestic career he was revered for his smart, aggressive and determined playing abilities as a centre and won numerous accolades and awards. This included the ‘Players’ Player’ award he shared in 1999 with Chris Latham and finishing top try scorer in the same season. He was also named club captain in 2001.

It was on the world stage where Daniel Herbert really shone as a rugby union player. He made his debut at age 20 in a match against Ireland in 1994 but it wasn’t until 1998 that he managed to get the nod over Jason Little in the Australia side. Following this, he was instrumental in helping the Wallabies lift the Rugby World Cup in 1999 and played key roles in the British & Irish Lions series victory and Tri-Nations Trophy success that followed.

In total, Daniel Herbert earned 67 caps for Australia before playing his final game at international level in 2002. Daniel Herbert’s older brother Anthony is also a former rugby union player.