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http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ter-long-illness/story-e6frexpr-1226612355317
Rugby league great Ian Walsh dies after long illness
Ian Walsh has died after a long illness. Source: News Limited
FORMER Australian captain-coach and St George legend Ian Walsh has died, throwing the rugby league world into mourning.
Walsh, 80, who returned to his home town of Forbes a decade ago, died after a long illness.
He was a giant of the game in his playing days as the 1963 Test captain, leading Australia to its historic Ashes triumph against Great Britain in England with wins in the First Test 28-2 at Wembley, 50-12 in the second Test at Swinton before losing the third Test 16-5 at Leeds.
It was the first time an all Australian side had won the rugby league Ashes in England. The only previously successful Ashes-winning team was the 1911-12 side that included New Zealand players.
Walsh described he historic Ashes win as "the greatest moment of my rugby league life. We had finally done it."
Credited with establishing the template for modern day hookers of intelligent running from dummy half, Walsh joined St George from the bush in 1962, playing in five winning grand final sides in the clubs record run of 11 successive premierships between 1956-66.
He was captain-coach of the 1966 side that won the grand final 23-4 against Balmain and the 1967 side that lost 12-11 to Canterbury in the final, ending St Georges record run.
Walsh played 25 Tests between 1959-66, toured with the 1959-60 and 1963-64 Kangaroos and made two tours to New Zealand.
He was a strong contender for the Australian Rugby League team of the Century in 2008 and was named in the NSW Country Rugby Leagues Team of the Century.
He also coached Parramatta in 1971-72 and for more than a decade was a forthright and fearless rugby league columnist with The Daily Telegraph.
Team-mates and friends were mourning today when they learned of Walshs passing.
"He was a great player and a great man. I toured with him in 1967 and played under him at St George," said Immortals fullback Graeme Langlands.
"Its a sad day for rugby league."
Former Test forward Noel Cleal and Walsh founded a strong friendship in recent years based on their rural upbringing.
"We both loved the bush. There was never a better man to go camping and fishing with than Ian.
"We talked a lot of football. He was a great companion and a great footballer."
Funeral details are yet to be announced.
Ian Walsh (right).
Ian Walsh for the Dragons.
Rugby league great Ian Walsh dies after long illness
Ian Walsh has died after a long illness. Source: News Limited
FORMER Australian captain-coach and St George legend Ian Walsh has died, throwing the rugby league world into mourning.
Walsh, 80, who returned to his home town of Forbes a decade ago, died after a long illness.
He was a giant of the game in his playing days as the 1963 Test captain, leading Australia to its historic Ashes triumph against Great Britain in England with wins in the First Test 28-2 at Wembley, 50-12 in the second Test at Swinton before losing the third Test 16-5 at Leeds.
It was the first time an all Australian side had won the rugby league Ashes in England. The only previously successful Ashes-winning team was the 1911-12 side that included New Zealand players.
Walsh described he historic Ashes win as "the greatest moment of my rugby league life. We had finally done it."
Credited with establishing the template for modern day hookers of intelligent running from dummy half, Walsh joined St George from the bush in 1962, playing in five winning grand final sides in the clubs record run of 11 successive premierships between 1956-66.
He was captain-coach of the 1966 side that won the grand final 23-4 against Balmain and the 1967 side that lost 12-11 to Canterbury in the final, ending St Georges record run.
Walsh played 25 Tests between 1959-66, toured with the 1959-60 and 1963-64 Kangaroos and made two tours to New Zealand.
He was a strong contender for the Australian Rugby League team of the Century in 2008 and was named in the NSW Country Rugby Leagues Team of the Century.
He also coached Parramatta in 1971-72 and for more than a decade was a forthright and fearless rugby league columnist with The Daily Telegraph.
Team-mates and friends were mourning today when they learned of Walshs passing.
"He was a great player and a great man. I toured with him in 1967 and played under him at St George," said Immortals fullback Graeme Langlands.
"Its a sad day for rugby league."
Former Test forward Noel Cleal and Walsh founded a strong friendship in recent years based on their rural upbringing.
"We both loved the bush. There was never a better man to go camping and fishing with than Ian.
"We talked a lot of football. He was a great companion and a great footballer."
Funeral details are yet to be announced.
Ian Walsh (right).
Ian Walsh for the Dragons.
