Richard Keal Trivett

  • 81Age
  • 2Caps
  • 498Wallaby Number
PositionOutside Centre
Date Of BirthOctober 2, 1943
Place of BirthTara, QLD
SchoolAnglican Church Grammar School
Debut ClubUniversity (QLD)
ProvinceQLD
Debut Test Match1966 Wallabies v British Isles, 1st Test Sydney
Final Test Match1966 Wallabies v British Isles, 2nd Test Brisbane

Biography

Rick Trivett was a very talented, specialist fly half who was so versatile that the Australian selectors never selected him in his best position. Blessed with a fine pair of hands, a superb tackling technique and a preference for an aggressive running game, Trivett had an all-round game that enabled him to play anywhere in the backline.

Trivett learned his rugby from the age of nine at the Anglican Church Grammar School in Brisbane. He was an outstanding all-rounder at the famous school where he captained the 1st XV and vice-captained the 1st XI. 

After school, Trivett played his rugby for the University of Queensland where he studied veterinary science. After a single season in colts Trivett made his senior representative debut in 1963, for Queensland against New South Wales. The following year he was chosen as Phil Hawthorne’s deputy for his first Wallaby tour, to New Zealand, but did not play in the Tests. When the British Lions toured in 1966 the Wallabies had a vacancy at outside centre. The incumbent Dick Marks had been overlooked and his replacement John Brass was knocked out in the match against New South Wales. With Phil Hawthorne the obvious choice at fly half the selectors recognised Trivett’s undoubted talent and chose him to make his Test debut in Sydney.

A week later Trivett was shifted to inside centre when Beres Ellwood was left out for the second Test. Unfortunately, injuries to wingers Alan Cardy and George Ruebner left the backline defence in tatters and Australia was overrun in the second half to lose 0-31. In early July, playing for University against Easts at University Oval, Trivett ruptured his Achilles tendon which robbed him of both a spot in the Wallaby trials and possible selection on the Fifth Wallabies tour to Britain, France and Canada.

In 1967 began his veterinarian career and Australian rugby had lost another very talented player before his potential was anywhere near realised.

Highlights

1966

Trivett won his first Test cap at outside centre in combination with Beres Ellwood in the 1st Test, 8-11 loss to the British Lions at the S.C.G. He moved to inside centre alongside debutant John Brass for the 2nd Test, 0-31 defeat in Brisbane.

Richard Keal Trivett