William Gunther
William (Bill) John Gunther
1931 - 2009
Rugby International
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William John Gunther was born at Bathurst and attended St Joseph's College in Hunters Hill before moving on to Wagga Wagga Agricultural College. In his early career Bill played a few one-season stints with Wagga Wagga, Bathurst and Wellington and when he moved back to Orange in 1953 he played with the Emus Club.
From 1954 to 1961 Bill signed up with Molong and between1955 and 1962 he was a regular member of the New South Wales Country team. After a powerhouse display for Country in 1957 he won selection for New South Wales and from there he was chosen for Australia in what was to be his only test against New Zealand and Brisbane.
Few critics tipped Bill for a place in the 1957/58 Wallaby side to tour Britain, France and North America, but the selectors thought otherwise and Bill proved to be a very valuable tour member, playing for his country on 15 occasions during the tour. Unfortunately a persistent knee injury prevented him from any chance of a test place during the tour.
Bill was described as an aggressive, sometimes wild, breakaway whose courage was outstanding. He was a raw talent, hardworking and seemingly tireless who revelled in heavy conditions.
Bill Gunther was an Emus team mate of Don Strachan and like Don, was a farmer just out of Orange for all of his adult life.
Bill passed away in a nursing home in Orange in June 2009
