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Lachlan Lewis on his relationship with his legendary uncle Wally
James Phelps, The Sunday Telegraph
April 27, 2019 7:00pm
HIS legendary uncle did not ring to wish him luck before he made his NRL debut — nor did he call to offer congratulations after leading his side to a shock first-up win.
In fact, Bulldogs playmaker Lachlan Lewis has revealed that he has not spoken to his uncle Wally for almost three years.
“The last time we talked was when I was playing in the Queensland Under 20s team and he came into the sheds at ANZ (Stadium) after the game and he gave me a hug and told me to keep it up and that he was proud of me,’’ Lewis said.
“He is a very private man.’’
Opening up about his relationship with the rugby league royal they call the King, the Bulldogs No.7 said he has not even shared a text message with his uncle since joining Canterbury.
Lachlan is the son of Scott Lewis, who played with his brother Wally in Brisbane and during a stint at Super League team Wakefield Trinity.
The up-and-coming Bulldog also said he knew little of Lewis’s famous career.
“He has always just been my uncle,’’ Lewis said.
“I never watched much of his football so he was just uncle Wal. He was never a football player to me.’’
Lewis admitted that some may find the distance between him and “Uncle Wal’’ strange given that he is trying to forge a career as a rugby league playmaker.
Wally is considered by many to be the greatest five-eighth to have ever played for Queensland.
“It is just the way it is,’’ Lewis said.
“He has been a private guy and so am I. I live in Sydney and don’t get up to Brisbane much and vice-versa for him. He is just uncle Wal. There are no problems.’’
Lewis recalled one of the few pieces of advice he had received from the rugby league Immortal.
“People at a family function were talking about football and telling me what I needed to do,’’ Lewis said.
“Wal just said to me, ‘Stuff them, don’t listen. You know what you have to do.’ He wants me to be myself.’’
Lewis has made a determined bid to make his own name since bursting onto the NRL scene with a win over the Bulldogs in his debut against the Knights last year.
But he knows the comparisons will always come, especially if he fulfils his dream of playing for the Queensland Maroons.
“I won’t be able to escape it then,’’ Lewis said.
“But who cares, if I am able to play for Queensland. I will happily deal with it.’’
Lewis is already “living the dream’’. Not even a rampaging Sam Burgess was able to wipe the smile form his face.
“It is the best,’’ Lewis said.
“I have always wanted to play at the top level and I am. That is why you see my smiling every second I am out there. I have worked for 15 years to get here and It has already been some journey.
“But as a half you get to your best in your mid-20s so I still have plenty of work to do. I am out to get better and improve my game.’’
James Phelps, The Sunday Telegraph
April 27, 2019 7:00pm
HIS legendary uncle did not ring to wish him luck before he made his NRL debut — nor did he call to offer congratulations after leading his side to a shock first-up win.
In fact, Bulldogs playmaker Lachlan Lewis has revealed that he has not spoken to his uncle Wally for almost three years.
“The last time we talked was when I was playing in the Queensland Under 20s team and he came into the sheds at ANZ (Stadium) after the game and he gave me a hug and told me to keep it up and that he was proud of me,’’ Lewis said.
“He is a very private man.’’
Opening up about his relationship with the rugby league royal they call the King, the Bulldogs No.7 said he has not even shared a text message with his uncle since joining Canterbury.
Lachlan is the son of Scott Lewis, who played with his brother Wally in Brisbane and during a stint at Super League team Wakefield Trinity.
The up-and-coming Bulldog also said he knew little of Lewis’s famous career.
“He has always just been my uncle,’’ Lewis said.
“I never watched much of his football so he was just uncle Wal. He was never a football player to me.’’
Lewis admitted that some may find the distance between him and “Uncle Wal’’ strange given that he is trying to forge a career as a rugby league playmaker.
Wally is considered by many to be the greatest five-eighth to have ever played for Queensland.
“It is just the way it is,’’ Lewis said.
“He has been a private guy and so am I. I live in Sydney and don’t get up to Brisbane much and vice-versa for him. He is just uncle Wal. There are no problems.’’
Lewis recalled one of the few pieces of advice he had received from the rugby league Immortal.
“People at a family function were talking about football and telling me what I needed to do,’’ Lewis said.
“Wal just said to me, ‘Stuff them, don’t listen. You know what you have to do.’ He wants me to be myself.’’
Lewis has made a determined bid to make his own name since bursting onto the NRL scene with a win over the Bulldogs in his debut against the Knights last year.
But he knows the comparisons will always come, especially if he fulfils his dream of playing for the Queensland Maroons.
“I won’t be able to escape it then,’’ Lewis said.
“But who cares, if I am able to play for Queensland. I will happily deal with it.’’
Lewis is already “living the dream’’. Not even a rampaging Sam Burgess was able to wipe the smile form his face.
“It is the best,’’ Lewis said.
“I have always wanted to play at the top level and I am. That is why you see my smiling every second I am out there. I have worked for 15 years to get here and It has already been some journey.
“But as a half you get to your best in your mid-20s so I still have plenty of work to do. I am out to get better and improve my game.’’
