Vale Dr Richard ‘Dick’ Tooth

The Rugby Club Foundation and the Rugby community are mourning the loss of a true gentleman of the game with the passing of Dr Richard ‘Dick’ Tooth, aged 90.

Former Wallaby captain, Waratah, all-round sportsman, pioneering orthopaedic surgeon, devoted family man and Rugby Life Member of The Rugby Club Foundation, Dick began his Rugby at the University of Sydney in 1948 where he was studying Medicine on an academic scholarship.

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. Dick 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, Dick returned to the international stage, gaining selection at fullback in the 1954 two-test series against Fiji.

In 1955, Dick earned his first inclusion in a Wallabies tour, playing in all three test matches against New Zealand - the first at fullback, the second at inside centre and the third at flyhalf, of which the Wallabies won the first two.

Dick moved to the Randwick Club in 1956 and in 1957, was selected as the 41st Captain of the Wallabies, leading the side out on two occasions, in Sydney and Brisbane. The second Test in Brisbane marked Dick’s last in Wallaby Gold.

One of rugby’s greatest mysteries is why, as the incumbent Australian captain, he was not selected in the 27-man Wallaby tour of Britain, Ireland and France in 1957. His omission was and to this day is gobsmacking, considering his utility value as a five-eighth, centre and fullback.

Following his retirement from Rugby, Dick headed to Britain to further his medical career while continuing to play Rugby for Rosslyn Park, even captaining the club side.

Dick later returned to Australia and his alma mater in a coaching capacity, while also becoming a pioneer in the medical field, assisting in the development of less intrusive arthroscopic surgery.

Dick was also a single figure golfer, an A-grade tennis player, Sydney-Hobart sailor, an accomplished pilot and represented NSW in surf lifesaving and squash. Dick was revered by his former teammates in both sport and medicine and will be sadly missed.

We extend our sympathies to the family and friends of Dick Tooth, Wallaby No. 383.

The Rugby Club Foundation acknowledges the contributions of Rugby Australia, Sydney University Football Club and Randwick District Rugby Union Football Club to this tribute.