Pat Walsh (rugby league footballer)
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Pat Walsh (1879-1953) was a pioneer Australian representative rugby union and rugby league player, a dual code international. He represented the Wallabies in 3 Tests in 1904 and the Kangaroos in 3 Tests on the first tour of Great Britain in 1908-09.
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[edit] Rugby union career
Born in at Cook's Hill, Newcastle, New South Wales he played rugby for the Norwood and Carlton clubs usually as a forward (backrow) and at times at Five-Eight.
In 1899 Walsh represented Northern Districts against the first Touring British team, in a match played at Newcastle. In 1903 he represented Combined Country against Metropolis (Sydney City)and Combined Country against New Zealand and also represented New South Wales against Queensland. In 1904 he represented Northern Districts against the touring British team and also represented New South Wales (he scored NSW's first try against Queensland and NSW's first try against the visiting British side in Sydney) Making his Wallaby debut. He played in all three Tests of 1904 against the touring British.
In 1905 he represented New South Wales against Queensland. The rugby public were surprised when he missed selection for the Australian National side tour to New Zealand ("Walsh's exclusion is simply a Chinese Puzzle"-The Referee July 19th 1905).
Disappointed he left Australia, first going to Johannesburg, South Africa where he was Vice Captain of 'The Commonwealth Football Team'-Premiers of the 1905 Australian Football League Competition(Australian Rules), The trophy is currently held at the Australian Gallery of Sport at the Melbourne Cricket Ground).I n 1905 Australian Rules was played in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
In 1906 he moved to Auckland, New Zealand to play rugby for Parnell (1906 & 1907) in the Auckland Competition which featured many of the triumphant 1905 All Blacks, who had toured Great Britain sweeping all before them except for one loss to Wales.
In 1907 Walsh was chosen in the Auckland representative team to tour the Southland New Zealand. In 1908 he Played for Auckland's City Club, gaining an impressive reputation- ("On Saturday's play Walsh stood out as being the best player in the Senior Grade Competition. He secured three tries" N.Z.Herald 8th June 1908). ("Walsh was the star of the forward division, not even being overshadowed by H.Hayward" N.Z.Herald 6thJuly 1908) ("...the outstanding men in the front division being Walsh (the best forward on the ground), Seeling, Herring and J.Magee." N.Z.Herald 4thMay 1908). He looked set for possible All Black selection.
A cablegram from J.J.Giltinan offering the prospects of a Tour to Great Britain as a member of the pioneer KangarooRugby League Team lured him back to Australia.
[edit] Rugby league career
On his return to Australia Walsh played his first ever Rugby League Match for Queensland against New South Wales (his home State). He had spent the last 3 years in New Zealand (some now considered him a New Zealander). He played for the Newcastle rugby league side in the 1908 Australian Competition. He gained National selection for the inaugural 1908/09 Kangaroo Tour.
He travelled to England in a second Ship (the Salamis) and was reported to have brought the live kangaroo mascot with Him.
He played in all three Test matches of the tour as a Front Rower.
He remained in England following an offer from the Huddersfield Club where he played from 1909 to 1911. When he returned to Australia he Captained the 1911 Combined Newcastle & Maitland Rugby League Team which Toured Queensland. His Team defeated the Queensland State Team in all 3 Matches played.
[edit] Wartime
Pat Walsh enlisted in the AIF during the Great War and served with the 12th Light Horse at Gallipoli and in Egypt and Palestine. He was mentioned in despatches by General Allenby. During this time He contracted a paralysis to his legs and after the War he had to rely on walking with crutches. He died in 1953.
[edit] Sources
- Fagan, Sean (2005) The Rugby Rebellion, RL1908, Sydney
