IRB Hall of Fame – Inductee No.50 – Ian (1928-) and Donald (1919-1944) Campbell (Chile)

Brothers Ian and Donald Campbell both played for the family club, Prince of Wales in Santiago and also for Chile, while their father Colin represented the country at soccer in the 1910 South American Championship.

Donald, a fast and powerfully built centre three-quarter, made his debut against Argentina in Buenos Aires in 1938 in what was only Chile’s third international, but the Second World War cut short a promising career when, as an RAF pilot, he died in action in 1944.

His younger brother Ian made his international debut in Chile’s first ever meeting with Uruguay in 1948, 10 years after his brother’s debut. He became the captain of Chile in 1951 and retired in1961 after 14 years at the helm of the national team.

During the 1950s he was acknowledged by both friends and foes as probably the most skilful player in South America and an outstanding leader of men. He is widely regarded as the father of Chile rugby.

A full profile will appear in due course.