Richard Tooth

Australia mourns death of former Wallaby captain Tooth

A premier utility of his time praised for his safe hands and hard-hitting nature, Tooth was Australia’s 41st Wallaby Test captain.

Hailing from Bombala in south-eastern New South Wales, Tooth did not take up Rugby until undertaking his studies at the University of Sydney in 1948, where he was coached by former All Black lock, Harold Masters.

A gifted playmaker, Tooth’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.