Brendan Moon AM (born 10 October 1958) is an Australian former rugby union wing who played for the Queensland Reds in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
For a number of years Moon has been helping the development of rugby union in Papua New Guinea, which he made his home,[1] before returning to his native Queensland.
Campese wrote of Moon that, "Maybe some people failed to see all his great attributes...”[3] However he further added that, “… those who knew him recognised Moonie for what he truly was: a truly dependable wing who always did supremely well at what he did attempt.
David Campese described Moon's core strength by saying that, "once into his stride, he was devilishly hard to bring down".
[4] Former Australian fullback Roger Gould said of Moon that, "He’s so strong that he’ll break the tackle unless it’s perfectly timed".
[9] Mark Ella described Moon as: "He also had the size and strength to stay on his feet and unload, and he kept the ball alive whenever he could.
[12] Australian captain of the 1984 Grand Slam Wallabies Andrew Slack said of Moon, following an injury Moon suffered against England on the 1984 Australia rugby union tour of Britain and Ireland, that 'I don't suppose there has ever been a better Australian Rugby player'.
[14] Former Australian flanker Simon Poidevin said of Moon in his autobiography For Love Not Money (1990) that, "he's the best winger I’ve played with or against… ”.
[5] In Path to Victory (1987) Mark Ella ranked Brendan Moon a better player than David Campese, citing that: "I think Benny is Australia’s best ever winger... David Campese is exciting and different and can do anything but Benny is a more complete player.
Rather than saying who he felt was a better player Ella stated that: "Two of the three best wingers I have seen in international rugby were Australians – David Campese and Brendan Moon [the third being John Kirwan]".
[20] He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2022 Queen's Birthday Honours for significant service to public administration, and to rugby union.