Billy Wallace: A True Rugby Legend

 By: Denis Dwyer

Location: NF 920 DWY Sport

Genre: All Black Legend

I loved reading the The Good Citizen- the story of Tom Ryan by Denis Dwyer, it was an incredible yarn of rugby, early travel, early art in Aotearoa and more importantly a pakeha pioneer who chose to engage in the Maori community in the Taupo region. I even went on a hikoi to see a few of the spots he captained his postal boat too around the lake. So when this book was published - it was a must for me. Denis writes well and keeps the narrative flowing as the story is told. 

In the history of New Zealand sports, few players have achieved the legendary status of Billy Wallace - one of the first, and most gifted, rugby players to ever be associated with the game.

In 1905 Billy Wallace was selected to represent New Zealand, touring the British Isles, France and North America, as part of a rugby team that became known as The Original All Blacks. It was during this landmark tour that Billy Wallace showed the rest of the world how the game should be played. Wallace's rugby career highlights include: scoring the first points for New Zealand in an international test match; being the first Kiwi to score 500 points in first-class rugby; holding the New Zealand record for the most points scored in a single All Blacks match for 46 years. To this day Wallace holds the world record for the most points scored on a rugby tour by any player. Including previous unseen rugby archive and family photographs, this fascinating biography tells the complete story of the life and career of Billy Wallace, a true rugby legend.