(1878– ).

Rugby footballer.

William Joseph Wallace was born at Wellington on 2 August 1878. In his early years he played rugby for the Poneke Football Club in Wellington. He represented Wellington Province in 1897, 1899, 1901, 1902, 1903, and 1904, and Otago in 1900. For four seasons between 1902 and 1908 he played in the North Island team and represented New Zealand, both at home and overseas, in 1903, 1904, 1905–06, 1907, 1908. Generally, Wallace played in the fullback position, but on the 1907 Australian tour he played as three-quarter. On the 1905 tour of Great Britain with Dave Gallaher's All Blacks, Wallace scored 230 points – a rugby record which has never been surpassed. During his career as an active player Wallace made 51 appearances for New Zealand and scored 379 points. In recent years this record has been bettered by D. B. Clarke. Besides this, Wallace has also held the following records: most points in all matches for New Zealand overseas (367); most conversions in all matches for New Zealand in New Zealand and overseas (114); and most conversions for New Zealand overseas (111). In 1935 Wallace was co-manager of George Nepia's Maori team which toured New South Wales. The Encyclopaedia of Rugby Football describes Wallace as a “versatile and spectacular player” and lists him among the world-famous fullbacks.