He represented the Wallabies in 9 Tests from 1971 to 1973. Switching to the professional code in 1973 he played his club rugby league with the Wests Panthers in Brisbane. He gained representative honours for Queensland and Australia in the first and second Test of 1974 against the visiting Great Britain side. After Australia's 16-11 loss in the second Test Richardson was replaced in the third by Tim Pickup. He did not regain Test selection.
His international rugby league debut against Great Britain in Brisbane in June 1974 saw him become Australia's 35th dual code rugby international following Steve Knight and preceding Ray Price .