Born: June 14, 1899 - Auckland
Died: September 11, 1980 - Auckland
Test record: 6 Tests (1919-20, 1928) - 0 points
Tours: 1919 tour of Australia, 1921 tour of Australia
Newton Rangers and Auckland stalwart forward Wally Somers toured Australia twice and played six Tests for New Zealand on home soil between 1919 and 1928.
The hooker went to Australia in 1919 with the first New Zealand team selected in five years, playing six games. He featured in one of the Tests at home against the star-studded Australian visitors, a 32-2 loss in the fourth Test in Auckland.
The following season he scored a try in Auckland's historic win over England and lined up in all three Test matches as New Zealand was overwhelmed 3-0.
Another tour of Australia in 1921 garnered six appearances for his country, scoring five tries.
Somers played for Auckland against NSW in 1922 (as well as playing an Australasia combination agains the visitors), and England in 1924 and '28. During the latter tour, the veteran was recalled by the New Zealand selectors, playing in the series-opening win at Carlaw Park and the second Test loss in Dunedin.
After more than 100 games for Newton, Somers joined Ellerslie United in 1930.