Billy Harrison (rugby league)

Billy Harrison
Personal information
Full name William Rapihana Harrison
Nickname Billy
Playing information
Position Fullback
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
Korodale (WRL)
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
≤1961–≥61 Wellington
New Zealand Māori
1961 New Zealand 2 0 0 0 0
1963 North Island
Source: [1]

William "Billy" Rapihana Harrison is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer of the 1960s, who played at representative level for New Zealand (#408), and Wellington, at Fullback, i.e. number 1.[2][3][4]

He is the brother of fellow former international Rata Harrison.

Playing career

Harrison played for the Korodale club in the Wellington Rugby League competition, winning premierships in 1960 and 1961 and sharing another in 1963.[5]

Representative career

Harrison was a Wellington and New Zealand Māori representative before he was selected for the New Zealand Kiwis. He toured on the 1961 tour of Great Britain and France and represented New Zealand in 1961 against Great Britain, and France.[1] Due to injury he played in only 10 games on tour, a broken jaw restricted his appearances. Despite this, he replaced the legendary Jack Fagan in the third test against Great Britain and the first test against France. Harrison proved himself to be one of the finds of the tour.[5]

Injury prevented him playing for the Kiwis in 1963 but he was selected for the North Island side against the South Island.[5]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  2. ↑ "Roll of Honour at nzrl.co.nz". nzrl.co.nz. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  3. ↑ "Past Kiwis → H at nzrl.co.nz". nzrl.co.nz. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  4. ↑ "Profile at nzleague.co.nz". nzleague.co.nz. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Team of the Century - Week 1 Wellington Rugby League