Russell Fairfax

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Russell Fairfax (born Sydney, Australia) was an Australian rugby union player before switching codes and having a successful rugby league career.

Fairfax attended Matravile High School and played for the La Perouse and Alexandria Rovers junior rugby league clubs in his junior years, before joining the Randwick club. In the early 70's Fairfax played in 8 rugby union tests for Australia.

In 1974, the fullback joined Eastern Suburbs rugby league club and was an instant sensation in the new code. His unorthodox play and long blonde flowing locks made him a crowd favourite. Fairfax played in 115 matches for Easts and won premierships with that club in 1974 and 1975. Fairfax represented both Sydney and NSW during his career but a broken leg suffered during the height of his career in the 1975 season probably prevented him from playing for Australia also in that rugby code. He played the final season of his career - 1981, with the South Sydney club.

After an unsuccessful stint in coaching at the Eastern Suburbs Roosters Fairfax enjoys a career in sports journalism with Fox Sports. He is married with two children.