Dave Solomon (rugby)

Dave Solomon
Personal information
Full name David Solomon
Born 31 May 1913
Levuka, Fiji
Died 15 August 1997 (aged 84)
Auckland, New Zealand
Playing information
Height 173 cm (5 ft 8 in)
Weight 76 kg (12 st 0 lb)
Rugby union
Position Fullback, first five-eighth
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1934 Waikato
1935 Auckland
Total 0 0 0 0 0
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1935–1936 New Zealand 8 1 0 0 3
Rugby league
Position Stand-off
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
Auckland
1939 New Zealand 0 0 0 0 0
Source: RLP

Dave Solomon (31 May 1913 – 15 August 1997) was a Fijian-born rugby football player who represented New Zealand in both rugby union (as a five-eighth and fullback) and rugby league. His brother, Frank, was also an All Black.

Early years

Solomon attended Mt Albert Grammar, and was in the 1st XV in 1931.[1]

Rugby union career

Playing with the Ponsonby rugby union club, Solomon moved south; playing for the Matamata sub-union 1932–43 and represented the Waikato Rugby Union in 1934 before moving back home and playing for Auckland 1935–38, in every back position except wing.[1] He made the 1935 All Blacks tour and travelled with the squad to Great Britain, playing in eight tour matches in 1934–35 and scored 3 points (a try) for New Zealand.

Rugby league career

In 1939 Solomon switched codes to play rugby league. He was named in the 1939–40 New Zealand Kiwis squad, however the tour was cut short by World War II.[1][2]

Return to rugby union

After the war he returned to rugby union, and coached the East Coast Bays and Northcote clubs on the North Shore.

Later years

Solomon became a Samoan Matai. He died in Auckland on 15 August 1997.[1]

References