30 Aug 2022

Denis Dwyer on New Zealand rugby's 'grand old man' Billy

From Nine To Noon, 11:30 am on 30 August 2022

He's described as the "grand old man of New Zealand rugby", now the life and legendary status of Billy Wallace has been detailed in a new book by author Denis Dwyer. A member of the The Original All Blacks selected for the 1905 tour to the British Isles, France and North America, he was the first New Zealander to score 500 points in first-class rugby and held the New Zealand record for the most points in an All Blacks match for 46 years. He went on to hold a distinguished coaching career at club, provincial and national level and also served as a national administrator. This is the eighth book for Denis - but not his first foray into writing about New Zealand's rugby history. He joins Kathryn to explain his passion for the sport's legendary players.