John Ritter (rugby union)

Walter John Ritter (18 August 1903 – 10 January 1974) was an Australian international rugby union player.[1]

John Ritter
Full nameWalter John Ritter
Date of birth(1903-08-18)18 August 1903
Place of birthMount Tyson, QLD, Australia
Date of death10 January 1974(1974-01-10) (aged 70)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Front-row forward
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
Queensland ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1931–33 Australia

Ritter was born and raised in the town of Mount Tyson in Queensland's Darling Downs region.[2]

A front-row forward, Ritter was coined the "Iron Man" by press in Sydney, on account of his toughness. He played his rugby in Toowoomba for the Valleys club and twice toured with the Wallabies without getting capped. In 1931, Ritter made a single tour appearance in New Zealand, as a hooker against Southland. He also took part in their 1933 tour of South Africa and featured in five uncapped matches, with his lack of size counting again him when it came to team selection.[2][3]

Ritter has an oval in Dalby, Queensland, named after him.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Rugby Union Loss". The Daily Telegraph. 3 March 1936. p. 2 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ a b c "Walter John Ritter". classicwallabies.com.au.
  3. ^ "Ritter Returns To Game". The Referee. 6 April 1939. p. 24 – via National Library of Australia.