| Vale Ernie HILLS.

Vale Ernie Hills.

*Wests Player number 540 (1956).

Wallaby number 373 (1950) 2 Test.

Ernie who was 90, played for the Magpies in 1956 & 1957

These statistics below are from the Wests Archives via Geoff Ibbett.

I have great confidence that Ernie Hills’ full record is –

1956 = 15 games, 8 tries

1957 = 15 games, 11 tries

Ernie was a champion sprinter who came to Australia for better coaching.

In 1950 he was selected from Victoria to play in two Tests for Australia against the touring British Isles Rugby Union team.

Ernie in 1950

1950 11

1950 15

Ernie bottom left of team photo

1950 3

1956 12

1956 harrys first game for wests and captain

Ernie Hills playing his first First grade game for Wests.

Note: Wests 29 beat Canterbury 10 and Ernie scored a try.

“Ernie Hills, former Rugby Union international, impressed on the wing for Wests with limited chances.

He ran hard and fast, scored an excellent try, and paved the way for one of O’Shea’s tries.” SMH 3.4.56

1956 20

1956 21

Ernie on the fly…

1957 semi final v souths last game

L-R Bill Carson, Bob Honeysett, Keith Holman, Nev Charlton and Ernie Hills.

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Don Graham and Ernie “Nigger” Hills at the 2018 PPM reunion

Ernie enjoying himself with Ray Culpan (left) and Mick Liubinskas

In 2017 it was my honour to interview Ernie and the full Ernie Hills Story appears below this Vale on the PPM Homepage.

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