Arthur Summons
Five-eighth, Halfback
Player Bio
- Inducted:
- 2008
- Date of Birth:
- 13 December 1935
- Birthplace:
- Paddington, NSW
- Nickname:
- -
- Debut Team:
- Western Suburbs Magpies
- Date:
- 07 May 1960
- Opposition:
- North Sydney
- Venue:
- Pratten Park, Ashfield
- Representative:
- City, Country, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Clubs:
- Western Suburbs Magpies, Wagga Magpies
Career
Milestones
- Grand Final Appearances: 1961-63
- Kangaroo Tour captain: 1963-64
- Australian captain: 5 Tests
- NSWRL Player of the Year: 1963
Playing
- First Class Games
- 106
- Points
- 63
- Tries
- 21
Biography
Arthur Summons has an incredible record as Australia's Test captain, winning five out of five, against Great Britain, New Zealand, France and South Africa. Summons played Test rugby union in 1958 and 1959, before signing with Western Suburbs for the 1960 league season.
He played only seven top-grade games in his first season in his new code but the following year played for NSW and Australia and was in the Wests team beaten by St George in the grand final.
The Magpies also made the next two grand finals but went down to Saints 9–6 in 1962 and 8–3, with Summons the captain, in 1963.
His muddy post-game embrace with rival skipper Norm Provan was captured by The Sun-Herald photographer John O'Gready in the classic image, ''The Gladiators''.
Summons played in the three Ashes Tests in 1962, as five-eighth in the first and halfback in the second and third.
He was also captain for the third Test, Australia's only win of the series, which came after the new skipper inspired his team with a stirring speech in the dressing room and then added to that with a magnificent display of wonderful football skills, capping his effort with a length of the field try.
Summons was named captain-coach of the Kangaroo team which toured England and France in 1963–64, but missed the Tests in England because of injury.
“He was a gutsy, intelligent and quick-footed player, beautifully equipped to steer his team around the park.”
Ian Heads A Centenary of Rugby League
64. Arthur Summons - Hall of Fame
Career Stats
Club Career
| Team Name | Competition | Year Start | Year End | Played | Tries | Goals | Field Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Suburbs Magpies | Premiership | 1960 | 1964 | 56 | 11 | - | - | 33 |
| Western Suburbs Magpies | Official Pre-Season | 1962 | 1964 | 11 | 2 | - | - | 6 |
| Wagga Magpies | 1964 | 1967 | - | - | - | - | - |
Representative Career
City - Country
| Team Name | Opponent | Year Start | Year End | Played | Tries | Goals | Field Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| City Seconds | Country Seconds | 1961 | 1961 | 1 | - | - | - | - |
| City Firsts | Country Firsts | 1962 | 1963 | 2 | - | - | - | - |
| Country Firsts | City Firsts | 1965 | 1965 | 1 | - | - | - | - |
| Sydney | Touring Sides | 1962 | 1962 | 1 | - | - | - | - |
State
| Team Name | Competition | Opponent | Year Start | Year End | Played | Tries | Goals | Field Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | Interstate Series | Queensland | 1961 | 1963 | 5 | - | - | - | - |
| New South Wales | Touring Sides | 1962 | 1963 | 2 | - | - | - | - |
International
| Team Name | Competition | Year Start | Year End | Played | Tries | Goals | Field Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Tests | 1961 | 1964 | 9 | 4 | - | - | 12 |
| Australia | Tour Matches | 1961 | 1964 | 18 | 4 | - | - | 12 |
Hall of Fame Members
National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.
