Andy Rankine arrived at James Cook University in 1971. Andy began playing Rugby League with the Saints, mostly in the backrow in the Under 19’s. By 1973, Andy was playing first grade at fullback, where his strength, speed and reading of a game made him a very good player.
During 1973, 74 and 75, Andy was the most dominant running back in the Townsville competition. He was very safe under the high ball and his defensive strength and technique saved many attacking raids by opposing players. However, in attack, University benefitted greatly from his powerful running. He could storm into open spaces as well into craftily created gaps in the defence, with speed and power making him almost unstoppable.
Andy played a key role in the success of University teams in his era. A 12-10 victory over Souths in the 1973 Grand Final brought Joe Baker’s boys a premiership. In 1974, coached by Bob Ness, University fell one game short of the grand final. In 1975, University played Souths in the grand final only to lose 20-10, a game in which Andy dislocated his shoulder.
Andy represented Townsville as fullback in 1974 and 1975. He served Townsville with distinction and was rewarded by selection in the North Qld team in 1975.
In 1975, Andy was chosen to play for North Queensland against the touring NSW Country team, which contained many players who went on to NSW and Australian honours. Despite being a fullback, Andy was chosen in the centres, to mark Mick Cronin, a current test player. Andy’s strong defence kept his highly rated opponent quiet until the NSW team gained across-the-park ascendancy.
In 1975, Andy was chosen as the Townsville Rugby League Medallist, judged as the best and fairest in the whole competition. This was a highly valued award, as the Townsville competition contained numerous NQ representatives and many past and future Brisbane and Sydney players.
TRL Medal Winner – Andy Rankine
Andy Rankine must be considered one of the Saints best players in any era.
Since completing university in 1975, Andy moved to Cairns to work for NQEA, an engineering firm. He played Rugby League for Suburbs in Cairns winning the premiership in 1976. A shoulder operation at the end of 1976 repaired the damage from the 1975 grand final dislocation and subsequent dislocations playing for Suburbs in 1976.
Click Photo to see Andy (Right) putting his engineering skills to the test
Andy married Eleanor Kelly in December 1975 after being engaged for their final 2 years at James Cook University. They have three adult children and recently two grandchildren. This promotes a busy travel schedule as the children presently call home in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, whilst Eleanor and Andy call Brisbane home.
Andy is presently managing a project in West Australia (on the Wheatstone LNG Project at Onslow) and, besides time with the children and grandchildren, enjoys cycling and racehorses.
As a final note, and cause for some discussion, the grandson is called George Burgess Rankine – certainly not a fullback!
