WALLY WILSON’S LIFETIME IN RUGBY LEAGUE RECOGNISED WITH CRL HONOUR
Linwood and Canterbury legend, and former New Zealand Test player Wally Wilson – one of our game’s longest and most dedicated servants – was made a life member of Canterbury Rugby League at tonight’s AGM.
Awarded life membership by the Keas last year, Wilson was awarded a Queen’s Service Medal in 2011 for his contribution to rugby league and surf lifesaving. He served as CRL Chairperson from 2022-24 and remains on the Board.
“I was pretty proud when I got the news, and a bit taken aback – it really hit my heart,” Wilson said.
“I’ve been playing since I was 11 or 12 years of age at Linwood, I just love the game of rugby league.”
Wilson represented Canterbury at age-group level as well as winning selection for the New Zealand Under-17s team.
He played for Linwood’s premiers team for the first time in 1971 and went on to play more than 400 games for the club over 15 seasons, while he was a tryscorer in the 1974 grand final loss to Papanui.
Wilson made his senior debut for Canterbury in 1973 and went on to captain his province in 30 of his 40 appearances – including the watershed defeat of Auckland in 1975 and the match against Wales the same year.
Wilson made the first of seven appearances for South Island in 1979 and skippered the side against Central Districts in 1981 with West Coast and New Zealand incumbent No.7 Gordon Smith out injured.
Smith’s absence saw Wilson called up to the Kiwis’ squad for the home series against France. Auckland’s Shane Varley claimed the starting halfback role for both clashes but the 28-year-old Wilson came off the bench late in the 25-2 victory in the second Test at Carlaw Park.
A selector for the highly successful Canterbury team of the early-1990s, Wilson assumed the coaching reins in 1994 when Frank Endacott linked with the Auckland Warriors.
“I played first XV rugby at school, but nothing was like rugby league. It was a game that I felt was always very interesting and a lot going on,” he continued.
“I joined surf lifesaving to keep fit for rugby league over the summer and became very involved there and ended up getting life memberships there – but you don’t do it for that, you do it because you enjoy the camaraderie of your clubmates.
“The great thing for me is I’ve got lifelong friends that I started playing football with [as kids] and you still catch up from time to time. For me that’s what keeps you in the game, the continuation of contact with people.”
Wilson highlighted the fraternal bond all rugby league people share as being particularly special.
He also paid tribute to everyone who has shared in his journey, from those who he stood shoulder to shoulder with on the paddock, to the ones he’s worked alongside off the field in decades of service to, and governance of, the grassroots game.
“As an example, I was in England on a train and a guy sitting next to me knew who I was, he was a rugby league follower from Auckland – I was just bewildered. Rugby league is a community, in my mind.
“I got a lot out of rugby league. I played with some great players and in some great teams, had some great coaches and managers, as well as knowing some great people at my club, Linwood.
“You go through those different ages where you get a bit cheeky, your head gets a bit swollen and we had the people with the skill to put you in your place through those times – never belittled you, but let you know you’re better than that [behaviour].
“Looking back there’s a lot of people that don’t get out on the field with you, but they have an influence with what you do with your life, especially the people I’ve been on the committees with at Linwood and Canterbury.”
Still an integral part of driving the game’s progress as a member of the CRL Board, Wilson is ecstatic with the direction rugby league is headed in the wake of its achievements and growth in recent years.
“I’m absolutely over the moon with what’s happening with rugby league in Canterbury – and New Zealand.
“In Canterbury, when I look at where the game is, we’ve come a long way. We’ve been told recently that we’re the biggest growth sport [in the 2024 Sport Canterbury report], and there’s so many options out there for young athletes.
“I go back 60 years when it was just rugby [union], rugby league and football in the winter, and in the summer, cricket and softball. There’s so many other sports available now to young athletes, so to have had a growth period like this in rugby league in Canterbury is just outstanding.
“That’s rewarding to everyone in the game.”
Canterbury Rugby League congratulates Wally on this richly deserved honour.
