Wally Lewis: The King

Sean Fagan of RL1908.com

In the early 1980s there were those who acclaimed Wally Lewis as the best player the game had ever seen. Others, particularly the NSW press, portrayed him as a controversial figure that should be cut down to size.

A decade later Wally Lewis had them all in agreement after a playing career of countless highlights for his clubs, Queensland and Australia.

Wally Lewis first came to wider attention as a member of the famed Australian Schoolboys Rugby Union side that toured Europe, Britain and Japan in 1977-78. His team mates included the Ella brothers (Mark, Glen and Gary), Michael O'Connor, Tony Melrose and Michael Hawker. Lewis had repeated his final school year at Brisbane State High to gain selection in the team but his opportunities were limited once the tour was underway due to injury.

Lewis though was far from a disciple to the 15-man game. Growing up in a rugby league family, he played junior rugby league in Brisbane and represented Queensland rugby league throughout his teenage years.

With a Wallabies Test centre spot in his sights, Lewis continued to play league for Valleys lower grades as an ‘amateur'. The QRU though decided for itself that Lewis had no intention of remaining "loyal" and Wally was informed indirectly that he would not be considered for selection. That was enough for Wally to end his flirtation with the 15-man game.

In April 1978 Lewis made his first grade debut for Valleys when he came on from the bench at half-time in an Amco Cup tie against Illawarra. Playing lock-forward he remained in firsts throughout the season and earned the Brisbane Colt of the Year Award as Valleys made the Grand Final. Lewis was then made his first offer to move to Sydney, from Norths.

Lewis continued to represent Brisbane in 1979 Amco Cup matches and against the touring British Lions, but couldn't oust Norm Carr from the starting line-up. He made his Queensland debut in the final match against NSW when chosen as a replacement. On the club scene he led Valleys to a 26-0 Grand Final win over the Wayne Bennett coached Souths in front of 35,000 fans.

Through this period Wally spent hours training with Valleys team mate Ross Strudwick perfecting the delivery of 30 yard passes, to match his already impressive ball skills.

Queensland finally selected Lewis in their starting side in 1980 - at half back. Lewis was lost in the unfamiliar position and the Maroons lost to NSW again. Ironically, it meant that the next state game would be the first to be played under Origin rules.

Lewis was chosen at lock, the only man in the pack who hadn't played for Australia. But coach John McDonald put it plainly: "He'll be the best player we've had...ever!" Lewis didn't have a significant impact in that first Origin game, but he watched and learned much from Arthur Beetson on and off the field. It would pay dividends in the future.

In Brisbane club football, Lewis was becoming the target of opponents in off-the-ball incidents, in tackles and verbally. He soon responded to what he was being served-up and the Brisbane crowds started to enjoy seeing a player with obvious talent who was prepared to fully demonstrate his emotions. When he took this approach with him to Origin football, and combined it with on field success, it gave the disheartened NSW media and supporters a focus point.

In 1981, now playing five-eighth, Lewis made his Test debut in two matches against a disappointing French side. He was the only Queensland based player in the side. After the Tests he was made captain of Queensland for the one-off Origin game. Lewis then produced his finest moment in his career to that point when he turned a 15-0 deficit into a 22-15 win for the Maroons on the back of a powerful running game and smart passing.

In the deciding game of the 1982 Origin series Lewis again played NSW out of the match, but this time he did it with huge 50m kicks that frustrated the Blues. He also introduced for the first time his long passing game that completely mesmerised NSW and sent tacticians scurrying to devise a means to defend against this new weapon.

Lewis was selected for the 1982 Tests against New Zealand before being included in the Kangaroos as vice-captain for the end of season tour to England and France. The tour was frustrating for Lewis who, despite being the incumbent Test five-eighth and leading Queensland to domination over NSW, was overlooked for the starting side in all three Tests against Great Britain.

He came on from the reserves bench in the final two Tests at half-time. At Wigan in the 2nd Test he produced arguably the most incredible pass yet seen in international rugby league. Australia was down to 12 men and only ahead by 17-6 as Lewis held the ball outside the British quarter.

The British defensive line had the situation well in hand and were converging on Lewis and his attackers. In a blink Lewis threw the ball 25m across the field to hit a rampaging Mal Meninga on the chest who crashed over to score a try. Even his team mates shook their heads in disbelief at what they had witnessed. In one play Lewis had forever changed the way rugby league was to be played.

Lewis gained some revenge from his displacement from the Test side in the opening game of the 1983 Origin series when he lead Queensland to a 24-12 win over NSW. The Blues were (aside from Meninga) virtually the ‘Invincibles' and were completely humbled by Lewis.

For the 1983 series against New Zealand Lewis was reinstated as Test five-eighth, a position he would hold until 1991 apart from injury. In 1984 he was granted the Test captaincy, which continued on the undefeated 1986 Kangaroo tour and the 1988 World Cup. He was denied a third Kangaroo tour (1990) after being ruled out with injury in doubtful circumstances.

In a busy off-season at the end of 1983 Lewis lead Queensland on a short UK tour, before he took on a 10 match stint with Wakefield Trinity. Back home in 1984 Queensland continued their domination of Origin under Lewis' on-field leadership.

During the 1984 series the Sydney media finally started admitting Lewis' supreme talent. They started delivering the accolades that his performances deserved. Not so the NSW fans though, they still weren't convinced or couldn't get over their state bias (a criticism usually bestowed upon Queensland fans!).

After leading Australia to a 3-0 series win over Britain at the SCG, Wally proudly lifted the Ashes trophy - he was booed by his ‘home' crowd. A few weeks later he was back in Sydney to lead Brisbane in a KB Cup Final win over Easts, ensuring another trophy headed over the northern border.

Back in Brisbane a beer company produced a TV add that paid tribute to Lewis, immortalising the phrase "he's the Emperor of Lang Park" - the add was never shown in NSW.

Lewis continued his domination in State of Origin throughout the rest of his Queensland career (ending in 1991) with countless examples of his match-winning plays. One that most recall as the best, was in Origin II of 1989 in Sydney. Scores were locked at 12-all but the Maroons were in trouble - there were down to 12 men after being ravaged by injury and sinking fast.

From 40m out Lewis took the ball and made an angled run in the direction of the NSW corner. Lewis beat the tackles of Chris Mortimer and Laurie Daley before carrying Test fullback Garry Jack over the line. In a single play, Lewis took Queensland to the lead, inspired his team, silenced the crowd and stunned the Blues. It was, as they say, "pure Lewis".

Origin was Lewis' domain - he missed just two games for the Maroons in 11 seasons and won 8 man of the match awards.

On the club scene Lewis enjoyed Grand Final success with Wynnum-Manly before the arrival of the Brisbane Broncos into the NSWRL premiership in 1988. The push for a Brisbane team in the Sydney competition had grown on the back of Queensland's Origin success built by Lewis.

While Lewis continued to have his moments that silenced the last of the critics that he "wouldn't cut it in Sydney", his Broncos team found the week to week grind too much. However, Lewis did lead the Broncos to their first title in 1989 when they won the Panasonic Cup over Illawarra.

Wally Lewis spent his final two seasons at the Gold Coast in 1991 and 1992 after the Broncos decided their future lay with younger players. The Seagulls gave Lewis few opportunities to shine, with most games being a frustration to Wally and his fans. Lewis would create the big-plays, but most of his team mates weren't playing the same game.

Lewis will always be remembered for his ability to control a football game, conjure tries from the inconceivable, inspire his team mates, frustrate the opposition, infuriate opposing fans, bullish tackling, classic cover defence and a passing game that redefined the sport.

Two of the institutions of rugby league in the modern era - State of Origin and the Brisbane Broncos - can be directly attributed to Wally Lewis' presence.

Its hard to imagine how different the game of rugby league would be today if Wally Lewis had not strode its stage.

Copyright © 2006 - Sean Fagan. All rights reserved - the article above may not be reproduced (in full or part) in any form without written permission.