Frank Nicholson (rugby union)
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Frank Villenueve Nicholson (15 October 1878 – c. 1970) was an Australian
Boer War The Second Boer War ( af, Tweede Vryheidsoorlog, , 11 October 189931 May 1902), also known as the Boer War, the Anglo–Boer War, or the South African War, was a conflict fought between the British Empire and the two Boer Republics (the Sou ...
veteran and
rugby union Rugby union, commonly known simply as rugby, is a close-contact team sport that originated at Rugby School in the first half of the 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. In its m ...
player, a
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and national representative who made two test appearances in 1903–1904, captaining the side on one occasion.


Early life

Nicholson was born in Villeneuve, Queensland, a place renamed from ''Humberstone'' by his father (also named Frank) who started the first sawmill in the area in 1877, founding the small town.


Career

Nicholson, a
prop A prop, formally known as (theatrical) property, is an object used on stage or screen by actors during a performance or screen production. In practical terms, a prop is considered to be anything movable or portable on a stage or a set, distinct ...
, played thirteen times for
Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , established_ ...
between 1900 and 1904 with twelve of these matches played against
New South Wales ) , nickname = , image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , es ...
. The Howell reference claims that Nicholson's rugby career was interrupted by enlistment in the
Boer War The Second Boer War ( af, Tweede Vryheidsoorlog, , 11 October 189931 May 1902), also known as the Boer War, the Anglo–Boer War, or the South African War, was a conflict fought between the British Empire and the two Boer Republics (the Sou ...
. He claimed two international rugby caps for Australia. He appeared for Queensland against the touring
New Zealanders New Zealanders ( mi, Tāngata Aotearoa), colloquially known as Kiwis (), are people associated with New Zealand, sharing a common history, culture, and language (New Zealand English). People of various ethnicities and national origins are citiz ...
in Brisbane in August 1903 and two weeks later made his international debut against the same tourists in Sydney, on 15 August 1903. In 1904, he captained Queensland in the inter-state series and played alongside his brother
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who scored a try in that match. Later that season he had the honour of captaining Australia in a Test match against a touring British Lions side. Australia lost the match 17–0. Nicholson was selected in a 1905 squad that toured New Zealand but he did not play in any matches of the tour.Howell p 25 He left Australia in 1905 going to Philadelphia to study dentistry. In 1906, he reintroduced Rugby per
Rugby Union Rugby union, commonly known simply as rugby, is a close-contact team sport that originated at Rugby School in the first half of the 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. In its m ...
code to
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while attending
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(Class of 1910). Upon his return in 1911 he became a selector and coach of the Queensland state side.


Bibliography

* Howell, Max (2005) ''Born to Lead - Wallaby Test Captains'', Celebrity Books, Auckland NZ


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nicholson, Frank Australian rugby union players Australian rugby union captains Australia international rugby union players 1878 births Year of death missing Rugby union players from Queensland Rugby union props