Dion Waller
Encyclopedia
Dion Alan George Waller (born January 6, 1974 in Turangi
) is a former New Zealand
rugby union
footballer. He played for the Wellington Lions, Hurricanes
, New Zealand Maori
and All Blacks
. He was one of the leading locks in New Zealand rugby
at provincial level with great lineout attributes, but never got a real opportunity to play internationally due in part to the quality of locks around and his many disciplinary lapses (of which he led the standings of red and yellow cards).
He made his debut for King Country
in 1995. He debuted for the New Zealand Maori
in 1996 and went on to collect 14 caps from then till his departure of New Zealand in 2002. Waller played for the now defunct Central Vikings
25 times and following their collapse moved to Wellington, between 1999 and 2002 he played 43 matches.
The All Blacks never really beckoned Waller as he only made 3 appearances (1 test), even then he was brought along only after Brad Thorn
withdrew.
One of his most well-known feats was the blatant professional foul in the dying minutes of the 2000 NPC
final, sealing the championship for Wellington.
Turangi
Turangi is a small town on the west bank of the Tongariro River, 50 kilometres south-west of Taupo on the North Island Volcanic Plateau of New Zealand. It was built to accommodate the workers associated with the Tongariro hydro-electric power development project and their families...
) is a former New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
footballer. He played for the Wellington Lions, Hurricanes
Hurricanes (Super rugby franchise)
The Hurricanes are a New Zealand professional Rugby union team based in Wellington that competes in the Super Rugby competition...
, New Zealand Maori
New Zealand Maori rugby union team
New Zealand Māori is a rugby union team that traditionally plays teams touring New Zealand. A prerequisite for playing in this team is that the player is to have Māori whakapapa or genealogy. In the past this rule was not strictly applied. In the past non-Māori players who looked Māori were often...
and All Blacks
All Blacks
The New Zealand men's national rugby union team, known as the All Blacks, represent New Zealand in what is regarded as its national sport....
. He was one of the leading locks in New Zealand rugby
Rugby union in New Zealand
Rugby union is the unofficial national sport of New Zealand. Rugby, as it is generally referred to by New Zealanders, is an integral part of New Zealand culture. The national team, the All Blacks, rank as the top international team in the world. The sport was known in New Zealand from 1870, and the...
at provincial level with great lineout attributes, but never got a real opportunity to play internationally due in part to the quality of locks around and his many disciplinary lapses (of which he led the standings of red and yellow cards).
He made his debut for King Country
King Country Rugby Football Union
The King Country Rugby Football Union is a constituent union in the New Zealand Rugby Union. It is located in the central North Island of New Zealand...
in 1995. He debuted for the New Zealand Maori
New Zealand Maori rugby union team
New Zealand Māori is a rugby union team that traditionally plays teams touring New Zealand. A prerequisite for playing in this team is that the player is to have Māori whakapapa or genealogy. In the past this rule was not strictly applied. In the past non-Māori players who looked Māori were often...
in 1996 and went on to collect 14 caps from then till his departure of New Zealand in 2002. Waller played for the now defunct Central Vikings
Central Vikings Rugby Union
Central Vikings Rugby Union was a New Zealand rugby union team that played in two seasons of the NPC from 1997-1998. The team featured current and future All Blacks, as well as a former All Black in coach Frank Oliver.-History:...
25 times and following their collapse moved to Wellington, between 1999 and 2002 he played 43 matches.
The All Blacks never really beckoned Waller as he only made 3 appearances (1 test), even then he was brought along only after Brad Thorn
Brad Thorn
Bradley Carnegie Thorn is a professional rugby union player. He has in the past represented Australia at rugby league, and currently represents New Zealand in union...
withdrew.
One of his most well-known feats was the blatant professional foul in the dying minutes of the 2000 NPC
National Provincial Championship
The National Provincial Championship, or NPC, is the major domestic rugby competition in New Zealand. The NPC has seen many alterations to its format and brand. Since 2006 the National Championship has been split into 2 competitions, the ITM Cup and the Heartland Championship...
final, sealing the championship for Wellington.