Former Wallaby Alan Cardy has died at the age of 76 as the sporting community remembers a remarkable athletic career.
Cardy, who played nine rugby Tests for Australia in the 1960s, also played top-flight league for Eastern Suburbs as well as excelling as a sprinter and in golf.
As a junior athlete from Katoomba he finished third in the 220 yards at the national championships, ahead of Peter Norman, who would go on to win a famous silver medal at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City.
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That athletic ability was quickly recognised in rugby, as Cardy scored four tries in his fourth grade debut for Drummoyne, immediately earning him a promotion to first grade.
Cardy made his Test debut in 1966 against the British Isles in Sydney and in 1967 the Australian Rugby Almanac named him as one of its five players of the year.
“If for no other reason the 1966 season was notable for the discovery of the young NSW winger Alan Cardy, the most exciting prospect the code has seen for some time,” it wrote.
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“Cardy jumped from virtual obscurity into the Australian Test team in just two months. Possessed of wonderful speed and strength (Cardy) had only played five first grade games – one in 1965, four in 1966 – when he first won selection… and seems destined to become one of the country’s great internationals.”
Cardy switched codes in 1969 after signing a four-year deal with Easts.
But a brutal run of injuries meant he was unable to reach the same heights in league as he had in rugby.
Cardy’s sporting prowess endured, however, and in 1982 he defeated Phil Billings – a three-time Eisenhower Trophy representative – to become the Royal Sydney Golf Club champion.
Cardy is survived by his children Alex, Stephanie, and Tom, sisters Robyn and Jennifer, and ex-wife Di Richards.
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