Rex
Mossop
Prop 1956 -
1963
Rex 'The Moose' Mossop
played the game in a bull like fashion and pulled no
punches in his long career as a TV commentator. He
was born in Fivedock in 1928 and moved to Balgowlah
as a six year old in 1934. Within ten years of moving
to the Manly district Rex was playing first grade
rugby union for Manly at the tender age of 16.
Rex played five rugby
tests for Australia before turning professional in
1952 to play rugby league for English club Leigh . He
returned to Australia in 1956 to become an
outstanding force for the Sea Eagles.
Mossop played in the
tough 1957 and 1959 losing Grand Finals against St
George. He was sent off in the 1959 Grand Final after
a notorious run in with Harry Bath.
Rex played in nine
rugby league test matches and was vice captain on the
1959 Kangaroo tour.
He played 132 first
grade games for Manly over eight seasons scoring
eleven tries. He retired at the end of the 1963
season aged 35 to take up his career as a TV
commentator for 27 years.
Ken
Arthurson on Rex Mossop:
Rex Mossop is a
true Australian original whose turbulent and
eventful life has made him one of the giants of
sport and television for as long as most of us
can remember.
The Moose has
lived his life fearlessly, always speaking his
mind regardless of the consequences. Men of high
principles can't help stomping on other people's
toes occasionally, and Rex has accumulated his
share of enemies in both media and sporting
circles over the years. As he says in his book, a
man without foes has led an inconsequential life.
He's dished out plenty, but he's copped plenty,
too.
I believe Rex is
the best and most authoritative commentator on
the game of rugby league this country has seen.
He knows league inside out - everybody
acknowledges that - but the qualities that led to
him becoming a legend as a football caller are
the exact qualities that made him special as a
player - and make him special as a man. Qualities
such as integrity, bravery and the ability to
give his best even when hurt. He is a man of
great moral courage. If Rex Mossop has ever taken
a backward step, I don't know about it.
From the Foreword
to Mossop 1991.
Sources: Smith 1991, p 73;
Whiticker and Hudson 1993, p 226; Mossop 1991.
