Rodney Walker (New Zealand)

Rodney Walker
Personal information
Full nameRodney Stephen Walker
Born (1949-07-05) 5 July 1949[1]
Christchurch, New Zealand
Playing information
PositionLoose forward
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
Papanui
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1968–77 Canterbury 50
1969–73 Southern Zone
1969–72 New Zealand 6 0 0 0 0
1974 South Island
Coaching information
Club
Years Team Gms W D L W%
1975–76 Papanui
Source: [2][3]

Rodney Walker (born 5 July 1949) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who represented New Zealand in the 1972 World Cup.[2]

Playing career

Walker played for the Papanui club in the Canterbury Rugby League competition. He was a Schoolboy Kiwi in 1964 and captained the New Zealand Colts in 1969 on a tour of New South Wales.[4]

He represented Canterbury and Southern Zone. He played in 50 provincial games for Canterbury between 1968 and 1977, including 44 consecutive appearances.[4] He was the first Canterbury player to reach the 50 mark and captained Canterbury in 1970.[5]

Walker was selected for the New Zealand national rugby league team in 1969 and played in six test matches between 1969 and 1972, including at the 1972 World Cup.[6]

In 1974 Walker played for the South Island against the touring Great Britain Lions.[4]

As player-coach, Walker led Papanui to the 1975 and 1976 Canterbury championships.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Rodney Walker Biography". New Zealand Rugby League. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
  2. 1 2 "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  3. ↑ "Coach Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Coffey, John. Canterbury XIII, Christchurch, 1987.
  5. ↑ "Walker's 50th match for Canty". The Press. Christchurch. 3 September 1977. p. 12.
  6. ↑ WALKER, Rodney Stephen - 1969 - 70, 1972 nzleague.co.nz