Australian dual international Summons dies aged 84

Australian rugby league great and dual-code international Arthur Summons has died aged 84.

Wests Tigers issued a statement on Sunday extending condolences to the former Kangaroos captain and coach’s family following his overnight passing.

Summons first represented Australia in rugby union during the 1950s before switching codes and establishing a strong New South Wales club career with Western Suburbs Magpies.

He was famously photographed embracing muddied St George rival Norm Provan following the 1963 Grand Final.

The image, known as The Gladiators, is depicted in bronze on the NRL Grand Final’s Provan-Summons Trophy.

ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys paid tribute to the former halfback, calling him “an absolute giant” of the game.

“Arthur epitomised everything that rugby league stands for – he was a talented player, a fierce competitor, a wonderful character and extremely popular with everyone,” V’landys said in a statement. 

“His importance to the game continued – and was immortalised – after his retirement as a player when he became the face of our Premiership, along with Norm Provan, and he embraced the responsibility which came with that.

“Arthur’s memory and legacy will live on in bronze for all of us to celebrate.

“This is a sad day for rugby league, but it’s also an opportunity for us to celebrate what makes Arthur Summons such a wonderful part of our history.

“Arthur was famously relatively small in stature, but he was still an absolute giant of our game. He will be greatly missed.”

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