About Jack McLean
Lived 1922 – 1974 (aged 52). Jack McLean was a rugby union player.
John Reginald McLean (25 February 1922 – 24 September 1974) was an Australian international rugby union player.
Biography Raised in Brisbane, McLean was the son of Wallabies representative Doug McLean senior. Two of his brothers, Bill and Doug junior, were also capped for the Wallabies. He was educated at St Laurence's College, where he played rugby league. His ironic nickname of "Happy Jack" was coined as he was said to rarely smile.
McLean picked up rugby union after joining GPS Old Boys upon leaving school and became a three–quarter like his father, specialising on the wing. He made his Queensland representative debut in 1941, then was out of rugby for a period when he enlisted with the RAAF in World War II. While based with a squadron in England, McLean resumed rugby playing for the RAAF team. He spent the remainder of his rugby career with heavy padding to his right shoulder, having suffered injuries in a plane crash during his service. In 1946, McLean toured New Zealand with the Wallabies, making a total of six appearances, without featuring against the All Blacks.
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Important facts
People in Jack McLean's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Jack McLean's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Jack McLean?
Australian international rugby union player
When was Jack McLean born?
Jack McLean was born on 25 February 1922.
When did Jack McLean die?
Jack McLean died on 24 September 1974.
What was Jack McLean's occupation?
Jack McLean was a rugby union player.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: Jack McLean (rugby union, born 1922)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Jack McLean. https://biography.guide/jack-mclean-rugby-union-player/
MLA: "Jack McLean." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/jack-mclean-rugby-union-player/.
Chicago: "Jack McLean." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/jack-mclean-rugby-union-player/.
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