One of rugby league’s greatest ever hookers, Ian Walsh has passed away at the age of 80.
Affectionately known as “Abdul” Walsh played 96 premiership matches with St. George and played in five premiership wins in his six years with the club from 1962 to 1967.
Walsh also played 25 Test matches for Australia and a further 39 tour matches for his country. He also represented both City and Country as well as New South Wales.
Walsh is the only player to achieve a unique double which is unlikely to be ever paralleled. He both captained coached his club side to a premiership and his country to an Ashes win, both in 1966.
Immortal John Raper said of Walsh ‘‘He was one of the toughest blokes you would ever meet but also one of the most intelligent. Whenever he spoke about the game of rugby league it was worth listening to. He is among the best to have played the game, no doubt about it.”
Walsh has often been given credit for being the original dummy half running hooker. A move that changed the face of the game and that is more prevalent today than ever.
Walsh played in country sides at Condoblin, Parkes, Forbes and Eugowra. He was selected to represent the Western Division when they hosted the 1951 French touring side and lost.
It was as a country representative that his international debut was against New Zealand in 1959, and later that year was selected for the 1959-60 Kangaroo tour. He played in all six Tests and in 17 minor tour matches.
Walsh was also the unfortunate captain coach who had the unenviable mantle of being at the helm when St George’s run of eleven premierships ended. This was something that Walsh handled with the greatest sportsmanship.
Walsh returned to coach the Parramatta Eels in 1971 and 1972. He later became a highly respected columnist with the Daily Telegraph.
Walsh passed away in his home town of Forbes and is survived by his widow Margot, his daughters Terri and Donna and his grandchildren Timothy, Andrew, Lilly, Michael and Peter.
The Dragons will wear black arm bands as a mark of respect for Walsh this weekend Prior to their clash with Newcastle. The teams will also pause for a minute’s silence prior to kick-off.
Vale Ian Walsh.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
The lawyer representing former Manly prop Lloyd Perrett in proposed legal action against the Sea Eagles has predicted a spate of more civil suits…
All the team list information for Round 9.
The latest Paul Kent fracas has livened up things for rugby league fans this week, and looks like providing plenty of storylines over the…
Recent retirement announcements from Dale Finucane and Luke Keary have put the topic of CTE and concussion back on the radar. We have also…
The current NRL product is as good as it’s ever been. All the athletes in the NRL with their skills, speed, strength and fitness…
Souths CEO Blake Solly has confirmed that Wayne Bennett is on the shortlist to take over from Jason Demetriou, telling media that the club…
