It is with sadness we inform the SUFC community of the passing of former player, Dr Richard “Dick” Tooth on Thursday 6 August aged 90.
A premier utility of his time praised for his safe hands and hard-hitting nature. Hailing from Bombala in south-eastern New South Wales, he did not take up Rugby until undertaking his studies at the University of Sydney in 1948. Here his scholarship extended well beyond the classroom, being coached by former All Black lock, Harold Masters.
Dick played for SUFC between 1949 and 1956, making his 1st XV debut in 1950, he went on to make 55 appearances for 1st Grade as well as playing many games for the Australian University side.
A gifted playmaker, Dick’s first representative honours came when he was selected at inside centre for the Australian Universities in a three-match series against New Zealand Universities.
Following this, Dick made his senior representative debut for New South Wales in 1950 against the touring British and Irish Lions. He later earnt national selection in 1951, where he made his Wallabies debut at flyhalf, paired alongside Cyril Burke in an 8-0 loss at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
After a hiatus from the game following his fourth-year medical examinations and a battle with injury, A premier utility of his time praised for his safe hands and hard-hitting nature, was Australia’s 41st Wallaby Test Captain.
SUFC send our condolences to Dick’s family at this sad time.
The family are having a small private funeral service, but the service will be streamed live for those unable to attend.
The service for Richard Murray Tooth is scheduled to begin at:
Thursday, August 13th 2020 at 11:00 AM
This is a Private Service and as such requires a PIN number to access the page.
Please ensure that this PIN number is only provided to individuals that you would like to have access to this live streamed service.
This service’s PIN number is 8257
PLEASE NOTE – If you are unable to view this stream at this time, you can revisit this link at a later time to watch a recording of the live event.
Dick (far right) was honured at our inaugural Legends Lunch held at the SUFG in July 2019 along with teammates John Solomon (left) and Saxon White