Head clash tragedy: 25yo rugby player dies after match

The Australian and NSW rugby unions have pledged to support the "family and friends" of player Nicholas Tooth who died on Sunday from a head injury sustained while playing for the Quirindi Lions in a Central North first grade match on Saturday.

Tooth, 25, an agricultural economics student at Sydney University, collapsed after making a tackle while playing against the Narrabri Blue Boars at Quirindi Rugby Park.

Tooth, who lived in Sydney, received emergency medical attention at the ground and was then flown to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle, but died late on Sunday.

The Central North Rugby Union immediately offered its thoughts and full support to the Tooth family, the Quirindi Lions club and the Quirindi community.

On Monday morning, the Australian Rugby Union chief executive Bill Pulver said in a statement: "The passing of one of our young country Rugby players over the weekend is incredibly sad and is a loss that is felt by the entire Australian Rugby community.

"We send our thoughts and sincere condolences to Nick's family, friends, team-mates and members of the Quirindi Rugby and broader community.

"I'd like to thank those who helped at the scene on Saturday and we'll ensure we provide whatever support we can for Nick's family and club at this challenging time."

The NSW Rugby Union also declared its support, with NSW Rugby Union chairman Nick Farr-Jones saying in a statement: "On behalf of the NSW Rugby community, I would like to offer our sincere condolences and support to the family and friends of Nick Tooth, and to the rugby community of Quirindi and the Central-North region.

"We will be providing ongoing assistance to Nick's family and rugby club during this difficult time."

The Quirindi Lions club posted on Monday morning a message on its Facebook page: "The Quirindi Rugby club would like to send their deepest condolences to the Tooth family on the loss of Nick.

"The loss of this kind hearted and fine young man will be felt far and wide.

"The club would like to offer their support to everyone who has been touched by this tragic loss. ... The players and club members thank everyone for their thoughts and support at this sad time."

According to an ABC report on Monday morning, Tooth, also a former student from the Sydney Church of England Grammar School (SHORE) in North Sydney and originally from Wallabadah in New England region of NSW, the incident is not being treated as suspicious and a report was being prepared for the coroner.

Quirindi Lions club president, Charles Murray told the ABC Radio's Kelly Fuller that Tooth was visiting his home town from Sydney for the weekend.

"It was just a very tragic accident," Murray told ABC.

Murray told ABC that there was "nothing untoward" in the tackle that injured Tooth.

"It really was just a tragic accident, Nick went in to tackle an opponent and his head clashed with [the opponent's] shoulder and he went down," Murray said.

"There was no foul play, nothing untoward about it at all; sadly it was just a very tragic accident."

Murray also reflected on Tooth's rise within the agricultural grain industry: "I'd seen him grow up from a child through junior rugby and grow into a young man, he was a lovely kid, he had a bit of a larrikin spirit in him.

"He was a really good bloke and very popular, and his family for generations have been great rugby supporters in this district and great community people."

Murray said the ARU support and offer of counselling was welcomed.

"It's imperative that we keep them together and we keep them talking about it, and they get it out in the open rather than bottle it up," he said.

EARLIER:  A YOUNG Quirindi footballer yesterday lost his fight for life in a Newcastle hospital after a freak head clash during a first grade rugby match on Saturday.

Nicholas Tooth was airlifted to John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle on Saturday afternoon, after play was halted between the Quirindi Lions and the Narrabri Blue Boars when the 25-year-old collapsed.

He was in a critical condition yesterday afternoon, and was placed on life support while surrounded by family, before he succumbed to his injuries just after 4pm.

On Saturday, the Quirindi Lions second-rower was involved in a tackle about 10 minutes into the second half of the game when he suffered a knock to the head, before he suddenly collapsed.

Players and support crew rushed to the aid of Mr Tooth, who was treated by St John’s Ambulance personnel as well as an ambulance mobile unit.

The region’s Westpac Rescue Helicopter was tasked and arrived at the Quirindi Rugby Park within 15 minutes.

Play was halted and a medical retrieval team assessed Mr Tooth before he was flown to Newcastle with a serious head injury.

He underwent emergency surgery on Saturday night and was in a critical condition.

Yesterday morning, Quirindi president Charles Murray said it was a sad and unavoidable accident.

“It was a most unfortunate accident,” he told The Leader.

Mr Murray said the club’s thoughts and prayers were with Mr Tooth’s family.

The injury has rocked teammates as well as the wider rugby circle, with yesterday’s seniors representative game called off.

Central North Kookaburras were due to play Far North Coast in Armidale, but the game was cancelled yesterday morning.

Central North president Tony Byrnes offered his thoughts to the family on behalf of the zone and all the clubs.

“We were very saddened to hear of this terrible accident,” Mr Byrnes said yesterday morning.

Oxley police will now prepare a report for the coroner.

Originally published as Head clash tragedy: 25yo rugby player dies after match by the Northern Daily Leader.