Lionel Williamson

Who is Lionel Williamson?

Lionel Williamson is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1960s and 1970s. A talented winger, he played in the New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership with the Newtown club and also represented Queensland and Australia.

North Queenslander Williamson played a season with Halifax RLFC in 1964-65, also playing in the Queensland side from 1964 to 1967.

Gaining selection in Australia's 1968 World Cup squad, he scored two tries in the Final against France. He moved to Sydney to play with Newtown from 1969 and played 6 continuous seasons with the club.

He played in the 1970 World Cup, again scoring in the Final to help Australia to victory. Williamson continued representing Australia until 1974 which was also his final year playing for Newtown.

In 2008, the centenary year of rugby league in Australia, Williamson was named in the Newtown Jets 18-man team of the century.

Williamson is the brother of former Qld and Newtown winger Henry Williamson, and the uncle of former Adelaide Rams, Canberra Raiders, Northern Eagles and Manly Sea Eagles goal kicking utility player Luke Williamson.