Andrew Michael Walker

For nearly 90 years rugby league had raided rugby union ranks with impunity but when rugby union turned professional so too did the balance of power. Andrew Walker was an indigenous Australian of undoubted genius who became the first rugby league international to defect to rugby union. Wallaby coach Eddie Jones described Walker as one of the most talented players he had ever coached.

Born in Bomaderry on the New South Wales south coast, Walker was the youngest of thirteen children. In 1991, at just 17 years of age, he joined the famous Randwick club, won the Shute Shield and represented Australian U21s.

Unfortunately Walker then crossed codes to rugby league and played eight seasons of first grade with St. George and Eastern Suburbs.

Walker returned to the 15-man game in 2000, joined the ACT Brumbies and set the Super Rugby competition alight with 13 tries including two hat-tricks. That outstanding form saw him selected in the Wallaby squad and he was the only Australian to debut in what many have referred to as the ‘Game of the Century’, against New Zealand in Sydney.

Walker played 7 Tests for Australia in his two year international career.

Highlights

1991

Walker represented Australian U21s.

2000

Walker won his first Test cap off the bench when he replaced Stirling Mortlock on the right wing in the 1st Test, 35-39 loss to New Zealand in Sydney.

2001

Walker played six Tests, including all three against the British & Irish Lions, in what was his final season of international rugby. He made his run-on XV debut on the right wing and scored his lone Test try in the 13-29, 1st Test loss to the Lions in Brisbane.

2007/08

Represented Australia in the IRB Sevens World Series.