Rex Mossop returned to Australia and Sydney's Northern Beaches in 1956, joining the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles who played in the New South Wales Rugby League Premiership and became the cornerstone of their forward pack in the late 1950s.
22 Facts About Rex Mossop
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Ever an aggressive front-row forward, Rex Mossop played in the Manly sides that lost to the St George Dragons in grand finals in 1957 and 1959.
3.
For most of the match the Manly forward copped a hammering until in frustration, Rex Mossop retaliated by standing on Bath's head.
4.
Rex Mossop later recalled how after both he and Bath had left the league judiciary the following week, that they got talking and both got a laugh about being told off like naughty school boys.
5.
Notwithstanding his uncompromising playing style, Rex Mossop won a newspaper's "best and fairest" award for the 1958 season.
6.
Rex Mossop first represented Australia in rugby league at age 30 in 1958 in the first Test against the touring Great Britain side at the Sydney Cricket Ground, an appearance in which he became Australia's 25th dual code rugby international, following Ken Kearney and preceding Arthur Summons.
7.
In 1959 Rex Mossop played in the New South Wales loss to Queensland that attracted 35,261 spectators to the Brisbane Exhibition Ground, smashing Brisbane's previous record for an interstate match of 22,817.
8.
Rex Mossop played 136 games for Manly, retiring in 1963 at age 35.
9.
Rex Mossop is listed on the Australian Rugby League Players Register as Kangaroo No 336.
10.
Rex Mossop first appeared on air in 1964 and called his first game in 1965, only four years after former player Ray Stehr had carried out the first ever commercial telecast on Channel 9 in 1961.
11.
Rex Mossop spent 20 years as host of a rugby league preview show including the Controversy Corner discussion segment.
12.
From 1970 to 1971, Rex Mossop was the "Beast" on the television talk show Beauty and the Beast.
13.
Rex Mossop made an appearance on Tonight Live with Steve Vizard in 1992 alongside openly gay comedian Julian Clary in which Mossop refused to shake Clary's hand and espoused homophobic opinions towards Clary.
14.
Rex Mossop became a life member of the New South Wales Rugby League in 1999 in recognition of services to the game.
15.
In 2006, Rex Mossop was named in both the Manly Rugby League and Manly Rugby Union "best ever" sides, highlighting his enormous contribution to both codes.
16.
Rex Mossop was awarded the Australian Sports Medal on 24 October 2000 for services to Rugby League.
17.
Rex Mossop was the younger son of Norman, a World War I veteran who had been wounded in battle at Passchendale, and Nellie Rex Mossop.
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Rex Mossop attended Manly Boys High School, leaving in 1943 to become initially an apprentice fitter and turner, and later a sales representative for a variety of businesses prior to his career in television.
19.
Rex Mossop married Joan Mildred Bell on 26 October 1951 at St Matthew's Church, Manly.
20.
In 1976, Rex Mossop made a citizen's arrest of a nudist at Balgowlah Beach later stating "I don't need the male genitalia rammed down my throat".
21.
Rex Mossop died aged 83 on 17 June 2011 at the Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney surrounded by family and friends.
22.
Rex Mossop's funeral was held on 24 June 2011 at St Matthews Church, Manly.