Vale Brian Fitzsimmons
Vale Brian Fitzsimmons
Born 28 September 1941
Passed Away 22 June 2016
The Rugby League community 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, including four Tests. Two of his Tests were against New Zealand, while he also played one each against France and Great Britain. Brian was a member of the winning 1968 Australian World Cup team and also toured New Zealand with the 1969 and 1971 Australian teams.
“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.”
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.
Information courtesy of NRL and Barry Ross.
