1. David Topliss was an English World Cup winning professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, and coached in the 1980s and 1990s.
14 Facts About David Topliss
1. 2.
David Topliss played at representative level for Great Britain, England and Yorkshire, at club level for Wakefield Trinity, Penrith Panthers, Balmain Tigers, Hull FC and Oldham, as a stand-off.
3.
David Topliss was born in Wakefield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, and he died aged 58 after suffering a heart attack during a five-a-side football game at Crofton Community Centre, in Crofton, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England.
4.
David Topliss captained them to six finals in his four years at the club including when they won the Challenge Cup in 1982.
5.
David Topliss played in Australian season of 1976 for the Penrith Panthers and in 1977 for the Balmain Tigers.
6.
David Topliss remains the only five-eighth or halfback to ever achieve this feat, and alongside Frank Burge, Peter Langmack and Nathan Merritt, one of only four players playing outside the three-quarter line to do so.
7.
David Topliss won caps for England while at Wakefield Trinity in 1975 against France, and won caps for Great Britain while at Wakefield Trinity in 1973 against Australia, in 1979 against Australia, and while at Hull FC in 1982 against Australia.
8.
David Topliss was selected for Great Britain Squad while at Wakefield Trinity for the 1972 Rugby League World Cup in France.
9.
However, David Topliss did not participate in any of the four matches.
10.
David Topliss went on the 1974 and 1979 Ashes tours of Australia, playing twice on the 1974 tour, and once on the 1979 tour, and whilst at Hull he captained Great Britain against the Kangaroos in 1982.
11.
David Topliss left Hull in 1985 and finished his playing career with Oldham.
12.
At one game against Wrexham David Topliss decided to remove his rugby shirt playfully in response to the chant, which resulted in him being banned from the game for 1 year.
13.
David Topliss won cap for Yorkshire while at Wakefield Trinity.
14.
David Topliss remained at Wakefield as coach until 1994 when he stepped down to concentrate on his business.