The NRL is today mourning the loss of former Australian representative Brian Fitzsimmons, who has passed away aged 74.
Fitzsimmons had a distinguished career in Queensland, playing with Brothers Cairns, Babinda, Colts Ayr, Brothers Gladstone and Brothers Brisbane.
He played 20 matches for Queensland and nine matches for Australia.
“Brian had a long career in Queensland and for Queensland and also represented his country,” said NRL CEO Todd Greenberg.
“He represented Australia at the 1968 World Cup.
“He was certainly a passionate Queenslander, so it was poignant he died on the same day the Maroons wrapped up another series.”
BRIAN FITZSIMMONS
Born: September 28, 1941, Georgetown, QLD
CAREER OVERVIEW
Games Trs Gls F/G Pts
CLUB CAREER 1958-74
Brothers Cairns 1958-63, 1966, 1968
Babinda 1964-65
Colts Ayr 1967
Brothers Gladstone 1969-71
Brothers Brisbane 1972-74
REPRESENTATIVE CAREER 1965-71
CENTRAL QUEENSLAND 1970
v. touring international teams 1970 1 - - - 0
QUEENSLAND 1965-68
v. New South Wales 1965-71 18 - - - 0
v. touring international teams 1967-68 2 - - - 0
TOTAL 20 - - - 0
AUSTRALIA 1967-71
Tests 1967-71 3 - - - 0
World Cup 1968 1 - - - 0
Tour matches 1969-71 5 - - - 0
TOTAL 9 - - - 0
Fitzsimmons played junior football with Mareeba.
He made his Test debut for Australia v New Zealand at the Sydney Cricket Ground on June 10, 1967.
He was named the ‘most serviceable’ player for Queensland in the 1971 interstate series and received the JG Stephenson Trophy.
He represented Australia at the 1968 World Cup and toured New Zealand with the Australian team in 1969 and 1971.
He was named hooker in the North Queensland Team of the Century in 2008.
His Australian Rugby League Heritage number is 409.
Source: David Middleton League Information Services
