Charles Russell (rugby)
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| Olympic medal record | |||
| Men's Rugby union | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 1908 London | Team competition | |
Charles Joseph "Boxer" Russell (born December 5, 1884 - died May 15, 1957) was a pioneer Australian rugby union and rugby league player and represented his country at both sports. He was one Australia's early dual code rugby internationals. He competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics.
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[edit] Rugby union representative
Russell was a centre who played three Tests for the Wallabies in 1907 against the All Blacks before being selected for the 1st Wallaby tour of Britain in 1908. He played in both Tests of the tour scoring tries in each. His 24 tries in all games of that tour still stands as Wallaby record. He was a member of the Olympic Wallabies who won Gold in London in 1908 in the team captained by Chris McKivat.
[edit] Rugby league representative
On his return to Australia he joined the fledgling code of rugby league along with 13 of his Olympic teammates. He played in the first Test against Great Britain in 1910 when Australia hosted the tourists. He was selected in 1911 for the 2nd Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and played in 24 tour matches scoring 9 tries. He played on the wing in the victorious 1st and 2nd Tests of 1911.
Russell made his international league debut in the First Test in Sydney on 18 June 1910. Four of his former Wallaby team mates also debuted that day John Barnett, Bob Craig, Jack Hickey, and Chris McKivat - making them collectively Australia's 11th to 15th dual code internationals. This repeated a similar occurrence two years earlier when five former Wallabies in Micky Dore, Dally Messenger, Denis Lutge, Doug McLean snr and Johnny Rosewell all debuted for the Kangaroos in the first ever Test against New Zealand.
[edit] Rugby league club career
Russell's club football was with Newtown in Sydney. He was a member of the Newtown premiership winning side of 1910. He coached the club for a number years including the premiership winning team of 1933.
[edit] References
- Whiticker, Alan (2004) Captaining the Kangaroos, New Holland, Sydney
- Andrews, Malcolm (2006) The ABC of Rugby League, Austn Broadcasting Corpn, Sydney
