Rugby League Career
With a young family and needing to improve his financial position, Summons signed with Western Suburbs in 1960. He played in the 3 consecutive heart breaking Wests Grand final losses to St George between 1961 and 1963.
He first represented for Australia in rugby league in 1961 against New Zealand appearing in six matches on tour including two Tests. He played in the two 1962 test losses against Great Britain before he was appointed captain for the 3rd Test with Reg Gasnier and Keith Barnes ruled out. Australia won the game 18-17 following a Ken Irvine late sideline conversion of his own try.
His international rugby league debut in the 1st Test against New Zealand in Auckland on 1 July 1961 saw Summons become Australia's 26th dual code rugby international, following Rex Mossop and preceding Michael Cleary.
In 1963 Summons lead Australia to wins against New Zealand, against South Africa and later that year on the Kangaroo tour of Britain for which he was appointed captain-coach. He missed all three tour Tests against the Lions but masterminded the Ashes victory, establishing a plan to dominate the British through the forwards. This was the first series victory on British soil for Australia. He captained Australia to victory in two Tests on the French Leg of the tour but did not represent again.
He finished his club career in Australia, playing five seasons with the Wagga Magpies and working as Secretary-Manager of the Wagga Wagga Leagues Club. He was made a Life Member of the Sydney Cricket Ground.
In February 2008, Summons was named in the list of Australia's 100 Greatest Players (1908–2007) which was commissioned by the NRL and ARL to celebrate the code's centenary year in Australia.
Read more about this topic: Arthur Summons
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