Tom Richards (rugby union, born 1882)

Tom Richards
MC
T. J. Richards
BornThomas James Richards
(1882-04-29)29 April 1882
Died25 September 1935(1935-09-25) (aged 53)
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight13 st (180 lb; 83 kg)
Rugby union career
Position Forward
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
1898 Charters Towers Waratahs
1899–1905 Charters Towers Natives
1906 Johannesburg Mines
1906–1907 Bristol
1909–1910 Charters Towers
1911 Manly
1913 Toulouse
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1905 Queensland
1906 Transvaal
1907 Gloucestershire
1907 Queensland
1909 North Queensland
1911 Sydney Metropolitan
1913 East Midlands
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1908–1912 Australia 3 (6)
1910 Great Britain 2 (0)
Military career
AllegianceAustralia
BranchAustralian Imperial Force
Service years1914–1919
RankLieutenant
Unit1st Field Ambulance
1st Battalion
Conflict
AwardsMilitary Cross
Medal record
Men's rugby union
Representing Australasia
Olympic Games
1908 London Team competition

Thomas James "Rusty" Richards, MC (29 April 1882 – 25 September 1935) was an Australian military officer and national representative rugby union player, who was born at Vegetable Creek, Emmaville in New South Wales. Richards is the only Australian-born player to ever represent both Australia and the British Lions and as such the Tom Richards Trophy is named in his honor. He is an inductee to the Australian Rugby Union Hall of Fame.