The club is saddened to learn of the passing of John Solomon on 16 March 2020.
Mr Solomon, who was born on 15 October 1929, entered Sydney University after attending Scots College, and made his first Rugby Union appearances for New South Wales and Australia before his twentieth birthday. Despite the demands of his medical studies, Mr Solomon was awarded Blues for Rugby in four successive years - 1948 to 1951 - and went on to represent Australia in 14 Rugby Union Tests between 1949 and 1953.
Solomon was fast and versatile: in his first three Tests, he played in three different positions (wing, fly half and centre). In his second Test, in Auckland in 1949, he scored a try in Australia’s 16-9 victory. His team-mates on that occasion included Rex Mossop (a double international who later became better known as a commentator); Nick Shehadie (later Lord Mayor of Sydney); and Dave Brockhoff (a future Wallaby coach who also played cricket for Sydney University). Towards the end of his international career, he was Australia’s captain when the Wallabies earned a rare 18-14 victory over South Africa in Cape Town in 1953. Solomon’s impact on that game was so significant that the South African forwards chaired him from the field at full time. He made 19 appearances for New South Wales before his representative career was ended by a shoulder injury. In 2016, he was inducted into the Australian Rugby Hall of Fame.
Solomon’s cricket took third place to his studies and Rugby, but he was a gifted player who - when available - illuminated University’s teams in the early 1950s. He made his First Grade debut in December 1951, becoming First Grade cap 382. He was an aggressive batsman, and exceptional fieldsman - usually at slip, although he sometimes filled in as wicket-keeper. Between 1951 and 1955, he scored 537 runs at 22.37, at a time when pitches were uncovered, Test bowlers played Grade cricket regularly, and average scores were much lower than they are today. His highest First Grade score was 53 against Gordon in 1952-53, made in only 48 minutes with seven 4s (he was caught from the bowling of left-arm spinner Ken Eastwood, who was to play his only Test 18 years later). He scored over 1000 runs in all grades and his highest score for the club was 96 against Paddington in Second Grade in 1948-49. His team mates remember him as a gifted cricketer and outstanding team man.
John Solomon enjoyed a lengthy career as an obstetrician and gynaecologist, during which he estimated that he delivered more than 7000 babies.
The club honours a remarkable life and extends its condolences to Mr Solomon’s family, especially his son Michael and daughters Caroline, Virginia and Georgina.