Ian Walsh

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Australian national rugby league captain

Ian 'Abdul' Walsh was an Australian rugby league player. He was a Hooker with the St. George Dragons during their 11 year consecutive premiership winning run from 1956 to 1966. He was a representative in the Australian national team and captained his country in 10 Test matches from 1963 to 1966.

He was born on 20 March 1933 in Bogan Gate near Parkes in Western New South Wales. Walsh played in country sides at Parkes, Forbes and Eugowra and as a country representative was first selected to play for Australia in 1959. He played 25 tests for Australia from 1959 to 1966.

His first Test as captain was on the 1963 Tour of Great Britain which saw the Kangaroos become the first Australian touring team in 50 years to win the Ashes. He was skipper for the "Swinton Massacre" 2nd test of that tour when the Kangaroos registered the biggest win in Anglo-Australian test history 50-12.

He joined St George in 1962 and played 96 games till 1967 and played in five winning Grand Finals.

After the retirement of Norm Provan in 1965 , Walsh took on the task of captain-coach. The Dragons star players were growing old, the young and brutal South Sydney Rabbitohs were looming as title contenders and the inevitable end to the run had to be approaching. Nevertheless Walsh was able to lead the Dragons against the Balmain Tigers to their 11th straight victory and the end of their run.

In that year 1966 he achieved a rare distinction becoming the only player to captain-coach his country to an Ashes series victory and his club to a premiership.

After retiring as a player Walsh coached the Parramatta Eels to the semi finals in 1971 before becoming a successful columnist with the Daily Telegraph for over 20 years and a Country and State selector. He worked in sales in the printing industry in Sydney.