Russell Fairfax

Russell Lance Fairfax (born 29 March 1952) is an Australian former rugby union and rugby league player. A precocious talent, he played his first rugby international while still at school. Having played eight tests for the Wallabies, he moved to rugby league's Eastern Suburbs Roosters in 1974. Following his retirement from rugby league, Fairfax coached in the 1989 and 1990 seasons.

Early life Russell Fairfax, whose father was in the Australian Army, grew up in Sorrento, Victoria, where he played Australian football. The family moved to Ipswich, Queensland, where he played rugby league, before moving to Sydney.

Fairfax attended Matraville High School and played for La Perouse and Alexandria Rovers rugby league clubs in his junior years, before joining the Randwick club to play rugby union. Playing at fullback he represented Australian Schools on their tours of South Africa (1969) and New Zealand (1970).

Football career

From 1971-73, Fairfax played in eight rugby union tests for Australia.

Fairfax had an unsuccessful stint in coaching at the Eastern Suburbs Roosters in 1989 and 1990.

Other roles

During the 1970s (prior to becoming a full-time professional player), Fairfax taught physical education at Randwick North High School and Cleveland Street High School.

After retiring from football, Fairfax had a long career in sports journalism with Fox Sports.

At the 2017 local government elections, Fairfax stood unsuccessfully as an Independent councillor for Randwick City Council.

Personal life

Fairfax is married with two children. In 2014 he had a serious brain injury that required intensive surgery from which he recovered, but had some memory and personality effects.