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| "We are all tremendously saddened to learn that he has passed away. "As a player, David reached the very highest levels of the domestic and international game. He was well known for his skill, bravery and sportsmanship and was admired by many in both northern and southern hemisphere rugby league. "David was also very committed to making a continuing contribution to the game and was a regular at many matches." Topliss' death comes five weeks before Wakefield play Hull in a Challenge Cup semi-final at Doncaster. It is the first time Trinity have reached the last four of the competition since 1979 and the match is sure to become a poignant occasion. "They are both David's teams and I wouldn't like to think who he tipped to win," Fox added. "He spent most of his years with Wakefield but then went to Hull and did exceptionally well." Wakefield will wear black armbands for their trip to Hull KR on Saturday and for their home engage Super League meeting with Hull on July 12, when a minute's silence will also be held. Hull are to hold a 'minute's noise' before their next home game against Warrington on June 29. Current Wildcats coach John Kear said: "It's a massive shock that someone who seemed to be so healthy has been struck down so suddenly. Our thoughts and condolences go to his family at this very sad time. "David will always be remembered as a truly great servant to Wakefield Trinity. His playing record speaks for itself, as does his seven-year tenure as coach. Hull chief executive James Rule, speaking on the day fans queued for more than two hours each at the KC Stadium for semi-final tickets, said: "Everybody connected with the club was devastated to hear the tragic news of the passing of David Topliss. "He was a legend of the club on the field and a fantastic ambassador for the club off the field. Our condolences go out to his family. He will be sadly missed." |
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| Balmain Legend Dies Numerous tributes have been paid to former Great Britain international David Topliss, who died suddenly last night at the age of 58. Topliss captained both Wakefield and Hull in Challenge Cup finals at Wembley and was a member of the Lions' World Cup-winning side of 1972. His 270 career tries make him the fifth highest-scoring half-back of all time behind Shaun Edwards, Alan Hardisty, Alex Murphy and Roger Millward. Topliss spent 13 years as a player with Wakefield, winning the Lance Todd Trophy as man of the match in their 1979 Wembley defeat to Widnes. He later moved on to Hull and helped them win the cup after a replay at Elland Road in 1982, Widnes again the opponents, a performance which also earned him a man-of-the-match award but not the Lance Todd Trophy. He went on the Ashes tours of 1973 and 1979 and captained the Lions against Australia in 1982. He also had stints with Australian clubs Penrith and Balmain before seeing out his playing career with Oldham. Topliss passed away after collapsing during a five-a-side football match. His former coach at Wakefield, Peter Fox, tonight said: "He went to the same gym as me and we used to meet regularly, I saw him often. "I was really surprised. It is a shocking thing to happen to a fellow as involved in sport as he was. I didn't know anyone fitter. "He was fit as a fiddle all his life, very energetic, very fit. He was like lightning as a player when I had him at Wakefield. "'Toppo' was a very good finisher with the ball in hand. He was one of a clutch of brilliant stand-offs in that era with Murphy, Hardisty and Millward. "He wasn't a planner, or a thinking man's player, but a great finisher." Topliss went on to coach Wakefield from 1987-94 and also had a spell in charge of the Great Britain Under-21 side in 1989. "We would like to send our sincere condolences to the family of David Topliss," said RFL chief executive Nigel Wood. "We are all tremendousl ... |
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