John Solomon (rugby union) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
John Solomon

Birth name	Herbert John Solomon
Date of birth	(1929-10-15)15 October 1929
Place of birth	Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
Date of death	18 March 2020(2020-03-18) (aged 90)
School	The Scots College
University	University of Sydney
Occupation(s)	Obstetrician /Gynaecologist
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing, fullback, centre, fly-half Current team retired Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 1948–1955 Sydney University () Provincial / State sides Years Team Apps (Points) 1949–1955 New South Wales 19 () Current local club retired National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 1949–1955 Australia 14 Tests () Teams coached Years Team Sydney University Australia

Herbert John Solomon (born 15 October 1929 – died 18 March 2020) was an amazing Australian rugby union player. He was a very flexible player who could play in many positions.

John Solomon played for his state and for Australia. He even captained the Wallabies, Australia's national rugby team. He led the team in eight important Test matches during the 1950s. He also guided the Wallabies on tours to New Zealand and South Africa.

John Solomon's Early Life and University Days

John Solomon went to Coogee Prep School and then The Scots College in Sydney. He started playing club rugby at the University rugby club in 1948. This was when he began studying medicine at St Andrew's College at Sydney University.

He was a top player for the University team. He earned "blues" awards in 1948, 1949, 1950, and 1951. These awards recognise outstanding sports performance at university.

Playing for Australia: A Rugby Star's Journey

John Solomon was only nineteen when he first played for his state and for Australia. His first game for Australia was against the New Zealand Maori team. This match took place at the Sydney Cricket Ground in June 1949.

Later that year, he toured New Zealand with the Bledisloe Cup winning Wallabies. This team was led by Trevor Allan. Solomon played in seven matches on this tour. He played in different positions like five-eighth, fullback, and centre.

In the second Test match at Eden Park, he scored a try. This helped the Wallabies make history. They became the first Australian team to win the Bledisloe Cup in New Zealand.

In 1950, John played twice for New South Wales. These games were against the visiting British and Irish Lions team. He also played as five-eighth for Australia in both Test matches of that tour.

He was in the centre position in the second Waratahs match against the Lions. The Lions team had not lost any games on their tour until then. Solomon played very well against famous players like Bleddyn Williams and Lewis Jones.

In 1951, Solomon played against the visiting All Blacks in two Test matches. He also played with the Waratahs. In 1952, Australia hosted the exciting Fijians. John Solomon was given the honour of being the national captain. He was only twenty-two years old.

Fiji had never played against Australia before. They had only played at a world-class level against New Zealand in 1939. Solomon had an amazing start as captain on this special occasion. He played at inside-centre. He won the first Test for Australia by scoring a try six minutes before the end.

The Fijians won the second Test match. They earned the respect of Australian rugby fans. People loved the Fijians' exciting running and free-spirited play. They would wrestle for the ball and make long, one-handed passes.

Wallaby captain John Solomon is carried off the field by the Springboks in 1953.

Australia then went on a ten-match tour of New Zealand. John Solomon was chosen as captain for this tour. The Wallabies won eight of their ten games. This included one Test victory and one Test loss. Solomon scored three tries in the nine matches he played. He captained his country in all of them.

In 1953, Solomon was again made captain for a tough Wallaby tour of South Africa. He was ill for the first three games but recovered. He played in 14 of the 27 tour matches, including three Test matches.

In the second Test, Australia was losing 14–8 when Solomon had to leave the field. He had a knee injury. He recovered and helped with a play that led to Brian Johnson scoring a try. Eddie Stapleton kicked a great conversion, making the score 14–13.

From the next kick-off, another exciting play happened. Solomon was involved, and winger Garth Jones scored under the posts. This helped the Wallabies win the game! It was very rare for South Africa to be beaten at home back then. In a surprising gesture, the Springboks (South African forwards) carried Solomon off the field.

After the South African tour, Solomon took a year off to focus on his medical studies. He returned in 1955 to captain the Wallabies to New Zealand. He played in six of the thirteen games. He suffered a dislocated shoulder against a Canterbury/Otago team. This injury ended his career as a representative player.

Later, he coached at the University club. He also coached the Australian national team.

Awards and Special Honours

Sir Nicholas Shehadie, who played with Solomon on the 1953 South African tour, described him well. He said Solomon was "Quick enough to play centre or wing." He also noted Solomon had "a skilful swerve and sharp acceleration when a gap appeared." Sir Nicholas greatly admired Solomon for his smart captaincy.

John Solomon was honoured for his amazing career in 2016. He was inducted into the Australian Rugby Hall of Fame.