Tom Richards (rugby)
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| Olympic medal record | |||
| Men's Rugby union | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 1908 London | Team competition | |
Thomas "Tom" James Richards (born April 29, 1882 – September 25, 1935) was an Australian rugby union player, who was born in Vegetable Creek (Emmaville) in New South Wales. Richards was the only player to ever play for both Australia and the British Lions, thus, the Tom Richards Trophy is named in his honor.
Richard's father emigrated to Australia during the Gold Rush from Cornwall, England. Nicknamed Rusty, he grew up in the gold mining town of Charters Towers in Northern Queensland. His interest in the rugby game developed when a New South Wales touring side visited his town. He started training and playing rugby, and went on to represent Queensland. His family moved to South Africa in 1905.
He continued playing rugby in South Africa, playing a small number of games for the Transvaal Rugby Union in the domestic Currie Cup competition. he subsequently travelled to England where he continued playing rugby in the county championships. He soon returned to Australia and was selected in the Wallabies 1908 tour of the United Kingdom. On tour he scored his first try in a match against Wales. The touring party took part in the 1908 Summer Olympics that were being held in London. The team won gold, defeating Great Britain.
He returned to South Africa after his touring duties. During a visit from the British Lions, Richards earned a cap as a replacement. he qualified through having played for Bristol in England. He returned to Australia and was selected to tour to the United States and Canada with Australia in 1912. Soon after, he signed with Toulouse as a player and manager. During World War I he took part in the landing at Gallipoli. Richards was awarded the Military Cross for bravery.
In April 1935 he moved to Brisbane, Queensland, where his family reunited. Richards died of tuberculosis on 25 September that year at the Repatriation Hospital, Rosemount, and was cremated with Baptist forms. His wife and their son and daughter survived him
