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George Ruebner

  • Playing Career

Playing Career

All information provided below is based only on data available in the RLP database and should be used as a guide only.

Vital Statistics

Born
Monday, 3rd August, 1942
Current Age
83 years and 319 days

Competitions Won

Interstate Series
1968
NSW City vs Country Firsts
1967
NSWRFL Premiership (NRL)
1969
Preseason Cup
1967

Biography

Burly winger noted for his crashing runs will be forever remembered as the man who propelled Balmain into the 1969 grand final with a last-minute try against Manly in the preliminary final. The Tigers won that match on the bell, 15-14, and the following week defeated Souths in a major upset. Ruebner came to the club from Randwick's RU ranks in 1967, having played for Australia against Great Britain in two Tests the previous year. In League he represented NSW in two matches in 1968 and although higher rep honours did not eventuate, his date with destiny was just around the corner. Ironically, Ruebner suffered an injury in the grand final and after being replaced by Syd Williams in the second half, it was Williams' try that sealed the Tigers' 11-2 victory.
- ALAN WHITICKER

Playing Career Statistics

To view a list of corresponding matches, click on the List button.
Representative Career - Australia   Comp Wins Starts Int APP 3ST 3PT T G   A GK % 1FG 2FG FG Pts Bin5 Bin Off W L D Win%  
Interstate Series 1 2 - 2 --- -     - - - - - - - 1 1 - 50.00% List
NSW City vs Country Firsts 1 1 - 1 --- -     - - - - - - - - 1 - 0.00% List
NSW City vs Country 1 1 - 1 --- -     - - - - - - - - 1 - 0.00% List
Club Career - Australia   Comp Wins Starts Int APP 3ST 3PT T G   A GK % 1FG 2FG FG Pts Bin5 Bin Off W L D Win%  
NSWRFL (NRL Premiership) 1 52 6 58 33-33 18     - 1 1 137 - - - 35 22 1 60.34% List
NRL Finals - 3 - 3 1-1 -     - - - 3 - - - 2 1 - 66.67% List
Preseason Cup 1 13 - 13 5-5 3 / 3 100.00% - - - 21 - - - 5 6 2 38.46% List
Endeavour Cup - 1 - 1 --- -     - - - - - - - - 1 - 0.00% List
Overall   Starts Int APP 3ST 3PT T G   A GK % 1FG 2FG FG Pts Bin5 Bin Off W L D Win%  
First Class  68 6 74 38-38 21     - 1 1 158 - - - 41 30 3 55.41% List

Australia - By Team

Team Years   Starts Int APP 3ST 3PT T G   A GK % 1FG 2FG FG Pts Bin5 Bin Off W L D Win%  
NSW City Firsts 1967   1 - 1 --- -     - - - - - - - - 1 - 0.00% List
NSW Firsts 1968   2 - 2 --- -     - - - - - - - 1 1 - 50.00% List

NSWRFL (NRL Premiership) - By Year

Team Season   Starts Int APP 3ST 3PT T G   A GK % 1FG 2FG FG Pts Bin5 Bin Off W L D Win%  
BalmainBalmain 19671967 NSWRFL   12 1 133-3 -     - - - 9 - - - 7 6 - 53.85% List
BalmainBalmain 19681968 NSWRFL   12 - 1211-11 -     - 1 1 35 - - - 8 4 - 66.67% List
BalmainBalmain 19691969 NSWRFL   13 2 158-8 7     - - - 38 - - - 11 4 - 73.33% List
BalmainBalmain 19701970 NSWRFL   13 1 1411-11 10     - - - 53 - - - 8 5 1 57.14% List
BalmainBalmain 19711971 NSWRFL   2 2 4--- 1     - - - 2 - - - 1 3 - 25.00% List

NSWRFL (NRL Premiership) - By Team

Team Years   Starts Int APP 3ST 3PT T G   A GK % 1FG 2FG FG Pts Bin5 Bin Off W L D Win%  
Balmain 1967-71   52 6 58 33-33 18     - 1 1 137 - - - 35 22 1 60.34% List

Your Say

  • Paul Carter
    26 Mar 2010 5:06pm

    Ruebner played 2 tests for Australia in Rugby Union against the British Lions in 1966.

  • Anonymous
    24 Jan 2021 11:55am

    a great Balmain rugby league player with very good turn of speed and a body swerve a i can still see him score that try against manly in the semi final he ran over winger Hannigan and Batty clinging on as he crashed over for the try to put the tigers into the grand final I was there for both games its great to be TIGERS FAN FOR EVER

  • Anonymous
    1 Oct 2022 5:07pm

    Me too, was at SCG for both those games. Dad later bought me a Balmain jumper with George’s number 5 on the strength his match winning performance in the preliminary final. Though he would now be 80, can anyone enlighten us is George still with us?

  • Anonymous
    8 Aug 2025 9:24pm

    Yes, George is still with us, living in Sydney. Plays a mean game of golf too!

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Contributions: Rugby League Tables, Andrew Ferguson, Greg Fiveash, Tony McCarron, Shawn Dollin, Alan Katzmann, Paul Carter, Max Turner

Sources: News Reports