Keith Percival Walsham

Keith Walsham had a brief Wallaby career but played some quality football in the 13 months he was an international. An elusive, hard running winger and prolific try scorer, Walsham showed more than enough in national colours to prove he belonged on the biggest stage.

Born in Newcastle, Walsham was educated at both Newcastle Boys' High School and Wellington High School.

He came to prominence in 1962 when he scored a try for Newcastle in their 6-29 loss to New Zealand. Walsham then bagged three tries for Country against South Harbour in the final of the all states carnival. Those three tries saw him selected in the final Wallaby trial for ‘Australia’ versus The Rest prior to the tour of New Zealand and from there he was named in the 25-man squad. Walsham hit the ground running in New Zealand with a hat-trick on debut against Poverty Bay. He was sound both on attack and in defence, and it was no surprise when he was named to make his Test debut in Wellington.

In 1963 Walsham won a spot on the tour to South Africa however a thigh injury, and a selector preference for Jim Boyce and John Williams in three of the four Tests, limited him to just eight matches.

Keith Walsham played two Tests for Australia in a two-season international career.

Highlights

1962

Walsham won his first Test cap on the right wing in the 1st Test, 9-9 draw with New Zealand at Athletic Park.He was considered unlucky to miss the second Test when Jim Boyce was shifted out to the wing and John Douglas switched from the left wing in order to accommodate the return of Dick Marks.

1963

Walsham started on the right wing and scored his first Test try in the 18-9 victory over England at the Sydney Sports Ground.