One of the greatest of all time and ex-Wakefield Trinity star forced to leave role due to health
RLWC Rugby League Heritage Photography Archive Picture RLHA/via SWpix.com Rugby League Heritage Photography Archive Image archived to www.SWpix.com on 04/01/2022 - PHOTOGRAPHER/SOURCE UNKNOWN all enquiries editorial/commercial to simonswpix.com - RLWC 1988 Rugby League World Cup 1988 - Wally Lewis of Australia running with the ball in the 1988 Rugby Legue World Cup final England Copyright: x SWpix.comxt/axPhotographyxHubxLtdx xUNKNOWNxonxbehalfxofxRugbyxLeaguexHeritagexPhotographyxArchivexx
To many, Wally Lewis is the greatest of all time and even spend time playing in England playing for Wakefield Trinity back in the 1980s.
A Queensland and Australian representative, he was a key figure symbol in the expansion of the NSWRL into the NRL we know today.
After retirement, Lewis has been consistently involved in the game often covering covering it as Channel Nine’s Sports Presenter.
However, Lewis has had to step down due to his health.
Lewis has had health issues involving his brain in the past and lived with epilepsy throughout his career.
He also had surgery on his brain after a seizure while reading the news in 2006.
“My health has made decisions for me in the past so it’s my turn to make decisions for my health,” Lewis said.
“While I’ll take more of a back seat role in the studio, 9 News viewers can still expect me to keep them up-to-date on the highs and lows of local and international sport, and of course share my weekly NRL tips.
“Beyond 9 News, I’ll continue to call WWOS home, and there are some special Nine programs in the pipeline that I’m also ready to tackle alongside my ongoing involvement with the QRL and FOGS (Former Origin Greats).
“It’s safe to say that no two weeks in my calendar will look the same this year, which is what I’m looking forward to most.”
Meanwhile, Nine Queensland director of News Amanda Paterson confirmed he would still be involved in some capacity.
“The King is well and truly here to stay. He continues to live up to being a legend on and off the field, and whether he is on the newsdesk or not, viewers will still get to welcome the Wally they know and love into their living rooms,” Paterson said.
“Wally is such an integral member of our newsroom and we are privileged to have him on our team. His health is and has always been our priority, so we are proud of him for making the call to put himself first.”