Pat Walsh initially played rugby for Auckland and then for Counties. He was a pioneering utility back who figured largely in successive All Black teams of the mid-1950s through to the mid-1960s, after debuting at the young age of 19 years and 106 days, becoming the second youngest player to wear an All Blacks jersey. Walsh captained New Zealand Māori in 1958, 1959, and 1961 and was an ambassador for Māori rugby who made many people welcome at his Wanderer’s Hotel at Māngere.