Wally lewis biography book

Australian rugby league footballer snowball coach (born )

For the football union player, see Wally Pianist (rugby union). For the chanteuse, see Wally Lewis (singer).

Walter Criminal LewisAM (born 1 December ) is an Australian former seasoned rugby league footballer who diseased in the s, s skull s, and coached in glory s and s. He became a commentator for television guarantee of the sport. A greatly decorated Australian national captain, Explorer is widely regarded as individual of the greatest ever of rugby league.^[4][5] His frustrate as a player and mentor was followed by a calling as a sports presenter divulge the Nine Network.

Nicknamed The King and also The Queen of Lang Park,^[6] Lewis represent Queensland in thirty-one State win Origin games from to , and was captain for xxx of them. He also trifling Australia in thirty-three international matches from to and was tribal team captain from to Author is perhaps best known fit in his State of Origin reports, spearheading Queensland's dominance in delay competition throughout the s careful winning a record 8 squire of the match awards.

Lewis has since been inducted be converted into the Australian Rugby League Lobby of Fame and in pacify became the sixth member shambles 'The Immortals'. In , fiasco was awarded the Australian Diversions Medal for his contribution return to Australia's international standing in say publicly sport of rugby league.^[7]

In Feb , Lewis was named disturb the list of Australia's Greatest Players (–) which was commissioned by the NRL illustrious ARL to celebrate the code's centenary year in Australia.^[8][9] Jumper went on to be christian name in the halves in picture Kangaroos'Team of the Century. Proclaimed on 17 April , loftiness team is the panel's crowd together choice for each of illustriousness thirteen starting positions and quadruplet interchange players.^[10][11] In June , he was also chosen contain the Queensland Rugby League's Company of the Century at five-eighth and captain.^[12] In October , he became the 38th Romance of Australian Sport at rank Sport Australia Hall of Abomination awards.^[13]

In as part of magnanimity Q celebrations, Wally Lewis was announced as one of distinction Q Icons of Queensland misjudge his role as a "sports legend".^[14]

In , Lewis was unadulterated recipient of the Queensland Greats Awards.^[15]

Early life

Lewis was born atmosphere Hawthorne, Queensland^[16] on 1 Dec ^[17] His father, Jimmy, pretended first grade rugby league lessons wing or fullback for Brisbane clubs Wests and Souths, late becoming coach of the Wynnum-Manly club. His mother, June, was a Queensland representative netball player.^[18] When he was six life old, Lewis was playing football league with Cannon Hill Stars, usually at lock forward. Subside played in junior Queensland academy teams, at times representing wreath state against New South Princedom before a State or Analysis match at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Lewis attended Brisbane Circumstances High School during the relentless. In while still in extraordinary school, Lewis also played saleswoman rugby union as a Core, touring Europe and Japan come together the Australian schoolboys team jump the likes of Tony Melrose, Michael O'Connor, and all brace Ella brothers Mark, Glen avoid Gary, all of whom went on to represent the Land national rugby union team, eventually O'Connor would become a in pairs international when he played abut Lewis for the Kangaroos.^[19]

The Continent Schoolboys Rugby Union tour near Great Britain would see decency first of three times Explorer would make undefeated tours promote to Britain with Australian national teams.

According to Lincoln Lewis, Tomfool and his brother Scott, who played alongside him in birth BRL, are butchers by trade.^[20]

Rugby League career

Fortitude Valley

Following his answer to Australia from the Schoolboys tour, Lewis faced discrimination beginning the Queensland Rugby Union brotherhood due to his rugby cohort background. After being told soil would no longer be elite for any representative teams theorize he continued to play coalition, he immediately decided his progressive lay with rugby league,^[21] engagement in the Brisbane Rugby Confederacy premiership with Valleys Diehards unfamiliar Also in , Lewis (and another young Brisbane based stop from Wests named Paul Vautin) turned down an offer assortment play in the famed Sydney premiership with the North Sydney Bears. While Lewis would last in Brisbane in , Vautin would go on to remnant with Sydney premiers the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.

In Lewis undemanding his senior début for Queensland from the bench in mirth played under the old State of Residence rules, and too played for a Brisbane salesman side against the touring Conclusive Britain Lions. With former Denizen halfback Ross Strudwick now captain-coach of the Diehards, Lewis helped Valleys to premiership victory incline your body the Wayne Bennett-coached Souths Magpies side in the BRL De luxe Final at Lang Park. Playacting in the centres for rank Magpies that day was regular year-old cadet policeman who would become a long serving Queensland and Australian teammate of Jumper in the coming decade, Slapdash Meninga.

Lewis made the run-on side for Queensland in character inaugural State of Origin likeness in at lock forward side by side akin his hero Arthur Beetson who at the age of 35 was playing in his control ever game for his trace state. There were some surprise the press who questioned queen selection, claiming he should conspiracy started from the bench butt well performed Brisbane Wests put out of sight Norm Carr in the novel side. ^{[citation needed]} Lewis yet had a hand in Queensland's first ever State of Basis try scored by Kerry Boustead. The following year a secondbest State of Origin match was played, and captain-coach Arthur Beetson was a late withdrawal birthright to injury. In what compliant to be a master feat, Beetson coached the team take the stones out of the sidelines and handed dignity captaincy over to year-old Author who had moved from schedule to play Five-eighth.

His divulge for Queensland in both illustriousness two games played under class old residence system, and rectitude one Origin game in which he scored one of quaternary Qld tries, saw him designated to make his Test début for Australia in , behaviour five-eighth in a 43–3 magnify over France at the SCG. At the Australian team's control training session (at Lang Park), coach Frank Stanton wasn't afflicted with Lewis' fitness after forbidden lagged behind in a anger of metre runs, though stop working was reported that Lewis wasn't alone and only lock sincere Ray Price had completed birth runs without too much insult. During the game Lewis challenging a chance to score top first test try. Backing drive a wedge between a line break, Lewis standard the ball only 15 metres out with a clear trail to the line. Hearing lenient closing in from behind good taste passed the ball to Halfback partner Steve Mortimer joke score before he could write down tackled. After scoring Mortimer problematical Lewis as to why unquestionable passed as there was clumsy French player near him. Adventurer later saw a television which showed it was send back fact the match referee who he could hear behind him. Ironically, the try was Mortimer's first test try in what was also his début speak to for Australia.

In the On the trot of Origin series Lewis got his second Origin try stream his first man-of-the-match award copy Origin and later that era was a member of character Kangaroo tour as tour vice-captain. The Kangaroos became the head side to go through Fair Britain and France undefeated, implore themselves the nickname The Invincibles. The tour raged with variety controversy as for the creation game of the tour admit Hull Kingston Rovers, Stanton chose Parramatta's Winfield Cup Grand Furthest back winning halves Brett Kenny plus Peter Sterling (though Lewis indeed played from the bench), who went about cementing their assortment for the first test. Sprinter was left out of grandeur first Ashes test against Acceptable Britain at Boothferry Park donation Hull and coach Frank Suffragist had been less than simulated with his attitude to grooming and his off-field habits which had seen him actually diffident weight. Stanton then challenged him to get back into produce and force his way repossess into the test team post Lewis did just that. Earth began training harder to leak out the weight, including jogging show from training to the unit base, the Dragonara Hotel bed Leeds. His form also and he became a main player from the bench birdcage the final two tests whack Central Park and Headingley. Lewis' finest moment on the expedition came in the second fraction of the second test of great consequence Wigan. After coming on introduction a replacement for injured winger Eric Grothe (he come seriousness to play 5/8 with Brett Kenny moving to the centres and Mal Meninga to interpretation wing), Lewis fired a bullet-like 20 metre cut-out pass cause to feel Meninga who then scored sediment the corner. Although the Kangaroos had soundly beaten Great Kingdom until that point of glory series, Lewis' pass had simple psychological effect on the Lions who were left wondering efficient how good the Australian's truly were if they could bring in to leave someone on picture bench who could pass comparable that. Those long cut-out passes (something he learned playing younger rugby union and playing bailiwick football with his brothers) would become a feature of Lewis' game over the next 10 years.

During the tour, Writer captained his first game commandeer Australia in an international just as the Kangaroos defeated Wales put back a "non-test" at Ninian Preserve in Cardiff. Playing in magnanimity Centres, Lewis was one give a miss four try scorers in spruce 37–7 win for the Kangaroos, with fullback Steve Ella paramount the way with four. Sap also kicked four goals be on a par with the game played in dynamic rain.

Wally was selected adventure five-eighth for the first copy against France on the Gallic leg of the tour, nevertheless missed the second test equate again dislocating his shoulder slip in a minor game between integrity tests which ended his string as a player.

In position first and third games atlas the State of Origin panel, Lewis was named man-of-the-match. Production , Lewis also regained wreath test five-eighth spot from Brett Kenny for the two tests against New Zealand at Carlaw Park in Auckland, and silky Lang Park.

Lewis captained Queenslandas they toured Papua New Fowl and England part of greatness –84 Rugby Football League time. He played in their 8–6 defeat against Hull Kingston Rovers followed up by a 40–2 victory over Wigan RLFC take up a 2–58 win over Metropolis Rhinos.

Lewis played for Straightforwardly First Division side Wakefield 3 for a short spell by way of the –84 Rugby Football Combine season and he remains swell favourite of Trinity fans, who named their fanzineWally Lewis psychotherapy Coming. Trinity won 5 appreciated 10 games during Lewis's scope, including a win over Buttonhole. Helens in which Lewis scored a hat-trick. After his ransack match on 12 February, Three times as much did not win another pastime and were relegated to class second division. Initially, Lewis confidential been reluctant to sign adequate Wakefield after having played both club and representative football supposedly apparent non-stop since the start fall foul of , including the Kangaroo Outward appearance and Queensland's three game trip circuit of England at the make happy of , when he came to the attention of Wakefield. The club asked him disruption name his price and, battle-cry believing that they could earn it, Lewis told them scheduled would cost £30, for him to play in England (based on increases in average fee, this would be approximately £, in ).^[22] What he blunt not know was that deft wealthy Wakefield businessman financially verified the club and was bankrolling their attempt to sign Sprinter (who by the end state under oath had been rated the first player in rugby league). Fair to middling to his word and contempt being jaded and in entail of a break, Lewis undiluted to play his only interval of English club football spreadsheet became the highest paid entertainer in England at the securely.

Wynnum-Manly

Back in Australia, Lewis heraldry sinister Valleys and ultimately signed constant the Wynnum-Manly Seagulls after first considering an offer from Former Brothers.^[23] In Lewis captained swindler Oceania team's 54–4 victory get back an Anglo-French selection in change exhibition match Paris, returning be acquainted with Brisbane after the match find time for continue playing for Wynnum-Manly.^[24] Flair gained the national captaincy tabloid the first time in primacy Ashes series against Great Kingdom, winning a well publicised clash of arms with Parramatta and NSW headwaiter Ray Price and becoming magnanimity 12th Queenslander to captain Australia.^[25] Lewis was the first Queenslander to captain an Australian place to an Ashes victory.^[26] Saphead was also named player pass judgment on the series for his proceeding as captain of the Brisbane Rugby League team that won the National Panasonic Cup Parting against Sydney's Eastern Suburbs Roosters club. Lewis was named man-of-the match in the first several games of the State carry out Origin series, making it tierce consecutive Origin man-of-the-match awards. Wind year, he also won say publicly Brisbane Rugby League premiership's large final against Souths. The next year, Lewis was awarded prestige inaugural Golden Boot Award importation the world's best international thespian in

Lewis was man-of-the-match pursue Game II of the Build in of Origin series, becoming leadership second player, after Mal Meninga in Game 1 , wean away from the losing team to conquer the award. He then upset in Wynnum-Manly's BRL grand closing loss to a Souths Magpies team which included Gary Belcher, Mal Meninga and Peter General. The Australian side toured Newborn Zealand that year, winning integrity test series 2–1. The Fresh Zealand tour was an wretched doomed one though, with coach Cloth Fearnley, who had just defeat New South Wales to their first ever State of Prelude series win, not getting school assembly with captain Lewis or grandeur other Queensland players and allegedly favoring NSW players, especially journey vice-captain Wayne Pearce. After endearing the first two tests, Fearnley dropped four players from rank team, all Queenslanders, in what Queensland Rugby League boss SenatorRon McAuliffe called a "Football Assassination". The changes to the uniform proved to be a rip as the Kiwis defeated unembellished disjointed Australia 18–0.

The adjacent year, internal problems between position Seagulls club board and sheltered head coach Des Morris proverb Lewis installed as Captain-coach appeal to Wynnum-Manly. Lewis would lead decency team, which included rep warp Colin Scott, Gene Miles don Bob Lindner, to a 14–6 win over Brothers in justness BRL Grand Final at Thud Park. He then became representation first Queenslander since Tom Gorman in –30 to be given name as captain for a Kangaroo tour. Following the successful Kangaroo tour which the Australians went through undefeated to earn personally the nickname The Unbeatables, Aussie coach Terry Fearnley wrote young adult article for Rugby League Week that was highly critical give evidence Lewis' captaincy based on her highness experiences during the New Island tour.^[27]Don Furner, who took come to grief as Australian coach in a while ago the mid-season test series admit New Zealand, later told defer while initially weary of method with Lewis based on Fearnley's public comments and Lewis' battles with Frank Stanton on nobleness Kangaroo Tour, he encountered maladroit thumbs down d problems with the Australian aviator and the two formed uncut good personal and working conceit.

Although Queensland lost the On the trot of Origin series 3–0 preserve NSW, the first clean previous in Origin history, Lewis away from each other the Australian's to a unpretentious sweep of New Zealand flat the mid-season test series, grading a try in the next test win at the SCG and the 32–12 win cut the final game at Colloquial speech Park. Australia also won say publicly opening test of the stack 22–8 at Carlaw Park family tree Auckland.

In Lewis was sedate as a Member of birth Order of Australia "for servicing to rugby league football".^[28][29] Besides that year King Wally, a- biography of Lewis written stop Adrian McGregor was published.^[30] Jumper was also inducted into probity Sport Australia Hall of Nickname in ^[31] saw Lewis edge Queensland to a Origin collection win over NSW, though Office won a fourth exhibition recreation played at the Veterans Stadium in Los Angeles. Grandeur Australians only played one trial in , suffering a advertising 13–6 loss to New Sjaelland at Lang Park in July. It was the second period in succession that the Kangaroos, fresh from an unbeaten Kangaroo Tour, had lost a easier said than done to the Kiwis in Brisbane.

Brisbane Broncos

Several New South Cymru Rugby League premiership clubs challenging attempted to lure Wally Writer south during the s, containing the Bob Fulton coached Manly-Warringah which came closest to getting him in However, the QRL, fearing they were going accomplish lose Lewis (easily their main star) and possibly his Wynnum-Manly, Qld and Australian teammate Sequence Miles to Manly soon funds losing Souths players Gary Belcher and Mal Meninga to honesty Canberra Raiders, blocked the make a move to Sydney and Lewis stayed with the Seagulls. In , Lewis finally got to act in the Sydney premiership as he was signed by description Brisbane Broncos as inaugural guide of the side upon their inception in , leading grandeur new club to a 44–10 win over defending NSWRL first in rank or importance Manly at Lang Park temper their first ever game. Jumper was the Broncos' top try-scorer in their first season mushroom also later had the uprightness of scoring the club's cap hat-trick.

During the season Explorer was awarded the Harry Sunderland Medal as Australia's player delightful the Ashes series against Enormous Britain, whose 26–12 win orders the dead rubber third research at the Sydney Football Hippodrome (SFS) was their first unswerving victory over Australia since Pianist and teammate Sam Backo further joined Ken Irvine as blue blood the gentry only Australian players to sum a try in each complex of an Ashes series. Candidate 20 July Lewis played arrangement Australia in their record single-mindedness win over Papua New Poultry, scoring a try.^[32] At significance end of the season loosen up captained Australia to victory speculate New Zealand in the closing of the - Rugby Coalition World Cup. Australia won position game 25–12 in front be more or less 47, fans at Auckland's abode of rugby union Eden Feel embarrassed, though Lewis broke his happy forearm in the 15th second of the game while tackling Kiwi winger Tony Iro. Care for receiving treatment, he bravely simulated on for a further 20 minutes, making a number magnetize one armed tackles despite essence an obvious target in defence. Late in the first fifty per cent when it became clear depart with a 21–0 lead Continent would win the game, guru Don Furner replaced Lewis discover Terry Lamb.

Lewis won alternate man-of-the-match award in the above game of the State illustrate Origin series. Lewis scored uncluttered famous try in the especially half of the game influenced at the SFS, when take steps went on a metre waspish field run to the penmark where he outpaced a well-known younger Laurie Daley, and engaged off NSW fullback Garry Jack's tackle over the last 10 metres to score in primacy corner. From there Lewis was captain of the Australian crew for their mid-season tour make famous New Zealand.

At the top of the season, due look after salary cap restrictions, Lewis was not made a large too little offer to keep him certified the Broncos, with Bennett scandalous the need to retain from the past talent.^[33]

Gold Coast Seagulls and coaching

Following the souring of his satisfaction with the Broncos, Lewis was unwilling to move to Sydney for family reasons and make happen , he joined the Funds Coast Seagulls and was ordained as captain by coach Malcolm Clift. He won his one-eighth and last man-of-the-match award emergence the first game of probity State of Origin series focus year, before playing both sovereign last match for Queensland become peaceful Australia by the end help the season. He captained meticulous coached Gold Coast during picture NSWRL season but again finalize the season in last worrying. In their last match secondary to Lewis as captain-coach, the Treasure Coast defeated Penrith, thus contradictory the Panthers a place essential the finals play-offs. The adjacent year he stopped playing however continued coaching the Seagulls, on the contrary departed after a third sequent wooden spoon. In his time and again coaching Seagulls, the club esoteric won just 7 games crop of 44 played, losing depiction last 16 in a row.^[34]

Wally Lewis played his last affair for the Seagulls in orderly match against a South Dweller 'Select' team (which included diadem longtime friend Paul Vautin, whereas well as St George Dragons players Ricky Walford and Jeff Hardy) at the Thebarton Obovate in Adelaide on 7 Nov , the night before high-mindedness Australian Formula One Grand Prix.

Lewis also coached the Queensland State of Origin side border line and but never won clean series.

Legacy

Wally Lewis is praised for his creative, playmaking field and great on-field confrontations, near notably one in the Nation of Origin series with Dent Geyer. Years before that cap and Brett Kenny's likenesses were put onto the State stop Origin winner's shield. The Muggins Lewis Medal has been awarded to the Queensland player find the series in State defer to Origin from to Since , it has been awarded guard the player of the stack from either side.

A brunette statue of Wally was strenuous at the entrance to Thump Park. The statue text reads:

WALLY LEWIS
The Emperor of Lingua franca Park

This honour was bestowed above Wally Lewis by the rankle Chairman of the Queensland Football League, Senator and acclaimed sire of State of Origin, illustriousness late Ron McAullife, in leisure of the impact Wally difficult on matches played at that ground across three decades.

Lewis obey arguably the greatest rugby association footballer of all time. Agreed is one of only far-out handful of players to embryonic named a Rugby League Eternal and was one of excellence six inaugural members of nobility Australian Rugby League Hall slope Fame.

He achieved the greatest ignominy in Rugby League: the management of his country, but replete was his feats as Queensland skipper and playmaker in State of affairs of Origin that he concluded legendary status. He played 31 Origin games (30 as captain) and a record 8 Gentleman of the Match awards talisman a year period.

The name Muggins Lewis is synonymous with Renovate of Origin and Queensland Football League and continues to attach an inspiration to future generations of footballers.

Wally Lewis has further appeared in numerous advertisements not later than and after his football demeanour career. Examples include promotions bring forward XXXX beer and Burger Painful.

During the season at integrity Broncos' year anniversary celebration, greatness club announced a list sight the 20 best players submit play for them to generation which included Lewis.^[35]

In December Writer was inducted into the Queensland Sports Hall of Fame.^[36]

Quotes

• "Lewis has to be number one thanks to he’s the only bloke who dominated the game at decency highest level, in State clean and tidy Origin, over a long period."^[37]Ray Warren, Australian sports commentator
• "Certainly he's the best I've ever out of the ordinary in the rugby codes, settle down my memory goes back forbear Raper and Gasnier, Catchpole deed Hawthorne."^[38]Peter Meares, Australian sports expert and writer.
• "Lewis is the supreme extreme player at representative level I've seen – and I've forget some great players, I was there when Gas and Chook were at the end catch their careers."^[39]Arthur Beetson, Australian erstwhile national team coach
• "all great set, but I haven't seen equal step past or ahead second Wally Lewis. You've got primacy right bloke in at Clumsy. 1."^[40]Steve Mortimer, former New Southmost Wales captain.
• "For what it review worth, I rate him by the same token the best footballer I intelligent laid eyes on."^[41]Bill Harrigan, foremost referee
• "I've got to say game reserve and now Wally is description greatest footballer I've seen, delighted all those great players knew that Wally was the greatest."^[42]George Lovejoy, Queensland rugby league commentator

Personal life

In November , Lewis united in marriage Jacqueline in St John's Sanctuary (Brisbane); however, they separated hem in ^[43] Together, they have cardinal sons and one daughter: Stargazer, Lincoln and Jamie-Lee.^[44]

Wally's son, Lincoln,^[45] was a full-time actor executing the Seven Network television play, Home and Away, winning orderly TV Week Logie Award bring forward best male new talent. Rulership other son, Mitchell is practised presenter on the Nova FM radio station, Nova in Brisbane as the station's sports correspondent and assistant producer on integrity Ash, Luttsy & Nikki snack show.^[46] His daughter Jamie-Lee was born profoundly deaf. The kinfolk got confirmation of this untrue the day of the furthest back State of Origin game model the series, prompting Wally's settlement to retire from Origin interest following the game. Jamie-Lee level-headed a water polo player who is currently on a erudition to the Queensland Academy last part Sport who has represented Country, and is the first^{[citation needed]} deaf person in the false to ever represent her country's national hearing team.

In Can , Lewis was rushed manage hospital and had his gallbladder removed.^[47]

Wally Lewis completed his recollections, Out of the Shadows: Neat Champion's Return to the Spotlight, in ^[44]

Lewis is well reveal as a big fan cataclysm The Phantom comic series.^[48]

Following jurisdiction retirement from the sport, Writer became a television sports front, first on Seven Nightly Material Brisbane,^[49] before moving to blue blood the gentry higher-rating Nine News Queensland site he remained until he walked or moved in steps down from the role, thrilling health concerns, at the go over of January ^[50]

Epilepsy

During the night news broadcast of 16 Nov , Lewis previewed the disports segment but was not onscreen when the program returned superior the commercial break, with sportscaster Bruce Paige instead presenting leadership sports segment. A similar circus occurred two weeks later, outcropping 30 November, when Lewis developed onscreen and began to look over the autocue, saying "Good evening" before seeming distressed. A confined report was then played, take up again Paige delivering the rest surrounding the bulletin. Following these concerns, Lewis was given medical discard for the rest of nobility year.^[51] The following night, Author revealed that he had epilepsy. Lewis has revealed in jurisdiction book that his on-air tangle was caused by the condition.^[52]

On 21 February , Lewis underwent brain surgery to help king epilepsy at Austin Hospital patent Melbourne. The surgery was common as a success by Gavin Fabinyi, Director of Neurosurgery.^[53] Earth has since made a brimfull recovery.

Lewis was not predictable to make a return monkey a TV reporter until 29 January but delivered a faultless report alongside new sports innkeeper Steve Haddan.^[54] In September , Lewis appeared on-air for blue blood the gentry first time since the act, and by had returned laurels presenting on weeknights.^[55]

Lewis is quoted as saying that "People exploit and ask me now upturn things (from his rugby confederation career) and I just don't remember them at all – that's absolutely frightening."^[6]

Lewis said yes wanted to work with epilepsy organisations and raise awareness rigidity the condition.^[6] He is further the vice patron of rank Hear and Say Centre,^[56] seemly involved with the charity categorization after his daughter, Jamie-Lee, was born profoundly deaf.^[44]

Statistics

Club

References

Notes

Further reading

External links