John Solomon (rugby union)

John Solomon (16 November 1930 – 19 October 2020) was an Australian rugby union player, doctor, and academic. He was a centre who represented Australia in 14 Tests between 1949 and 1957, captaining the Wallabies in nine of those matches.

Solomon was educated at Sydney Grammar School and the University of Sydney, where he studied medicine. He earned his first Wallabies cap against New Zealand in 1949 at age 18, making him one of the youngest players ever to represent Australia in rugby union. He toured with the Wallabies to New Zealand in 1949, South Africa in 1953, and Britain, Ireland and France in 1957-58.

Known for his intelligent play and strong defensive skills, Solomon was a key member of the Wallabies team throughout the 1950s. He was also a talented athlete, excelling in other sports including cricket and athletics.

After retiring from rugby, Solomon pursued a successful career in medicine and academia. He became a leading expert in sports medicine and served as the team doctor for various Australian sporting teams. He also held academic positions at the University of Sydney and other institutions. Solomon was inducted into the Australian Rugby Union Hall of Fame in 2015.