Quick Facts
Biography
Peter James Wallace (born 16 October 1985 in Melbourne) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Penrith Panthers of the NRL. A Scotland international and New South Wales City and State of Origin representative halfback, he also previously played for the Brisbane Broncos club.
Background
Wallace was born in Melbourne and moved to Blaxland, New South Wales as a baby. He attended Blaxland East Public School and began playing rugby league for Lower Mountains JRLC under-7s before moving to St Marys JRLC at the age of 12. He also some of his junior rugby league at the Carlingford Cougars.
Playing career
Penrith Panthers
Wallace made his NRL debut at Canberra Stadium against the Canberra Raiders in Round 17 of the 2005 season. In Round 3, 2007, against the Brisbane Broncos, Wallace kicked a 44-metre field goal in golden point, with Penrith winning 29–28.
Wallace was the subject of controversy when he was dropped to NSWRL Premier League in Round 15 of the NRL competition in 2007. Penrith coach Matthew Elliott moved Wallace to the premier league on what he claimed to be poor form. However Wallace had earned a man of the match award only two weeks before, but had a poor game the week later.
The controversy came when claims were made that Wallace was dropped due to the fact that he had signed with the Broncos, but team-mate Joel Clinton, who was also Broncos bound, wasn't dropped. There were rumours from the media, that Wallace wanted out of the Penrith Panthers to go to Brisbane mid-season. Wallace denied these claims, and wanted to fulfill his contract with the Panthers, even if it was in premier league.
It remains unclear how the move to the Broncos came about.
Brisbane Broncos
Wallace's career at the Broncos started in 2008. He guided his new club to a first round defeat of his old club, the Panthers, before picking up consecutive "Man of The Match" awards in his next two matches, also wins for Brisbane. Wallace performed very strongly while Darren Lockyer was injured and provided much needed stability in the Broncos halves and a good kicking game.
Wallace was selected for the City vs Country Origin match in 2008. In May, 2008, Wallace was selected as halfback for New South Wales for game I of State of Origin on 21 May at ANZ Stadium. With his first touch of the ball, he made a line break. He also had a hand in two tries and placed a pin point accurate kick for Anthony Quinn to score the second try of the night. He made only one error and took many hits from Queensland players, making 29 tackles.
Wallace was selected for the Blues again in Game II (playing on his normal home ground) before he ruptured a testicle and missed Game III. After State of Origin ended Wallace was reunited with halves partner Darren Lockyer at the Broncos. Wallace's great form from the start of the season had slightly been lost but he still remains to be a future star and a great prospect for the Brisbane Broncos. On 15 July 2008, Wallace extended his contract with the Brisbane Broncos until 2012.
On 20 October 2008, Wallace was arrested after a scuffle with security at a pub in Mooloolaba, Queensland, where it was believed he was celebrating his 23rd birthday.
Under the "grandfather rule", Wallace was eligible to play for Scotland in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup, but was unable to make the team due to treatment for injuries. He was selected for City in the City vs Country match on 8 May 2009.
In May 2009, he was named in the 17 man squad to represent New South Wales in the opening State of Origin match on 3 June 2009, in Melbourne.
Wallace was injured at the time of the Broncos' 2009 post-Origin slump and upon his return the club enjoyed its best winning streak in 5 years, reaching the finals. However, in Brisbane's second play-off win Wallace broke his ankle, meaning he would miss the grand final qualifier.
At the end of the 2013 NRL season, Wallace was selected to represent Scotland at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup held in Europe.
Return to Penrith
Wallace played for the Panthers again from the 2014 NRL season. He sustained a season-ending ruptured anterior cruciate ligament on his left knee on July 27, 2014.
Wallace finished off the 2015 season playing 13 games and scoring 2 tries
In 2016, from Round 2-8 Wallace had a temporary and successful shift from halfback to hooker. In Round 9 of the 2016 NRL season, Wallace kicked the match winning field goal in the Panthers 19-18 win against the Canberra Raiders. Wallace would return to the hooker role after James Segeyaro was dropped to NSW cup. Wallace played his 200th NRL career game in Round 16, against the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the Panthers 28-26 win. Playing well at his new found position, Wallace signed a two year deal with the club on the 25th of July 2016, extending his contract with the Panthers to the end of 2018. Playing an instrumental part in helping the Panthers reach the finals, he finished off the year as the Panthers most experienced player and their first-choice hooker. He played in all 26 games scoring 5 tries, kicking 3 goals, and 1 field goal.
Statistics
| Season | Team | Pld | T | G | FG | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 |  Penrith Panthers | 1 | - | - | - | - |
| 2006 | - | - | - | - | - | |
| 2007 | 19 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 19 | |
| 2008 |  Brisbane Broncos | 21 | 5 | 8 | - | 36 |
| 2009 | 23 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 21 | |
| 2010 | 21 | 2 | 5 | - | 18 | |
| 2011 | 27 | 5 | 10 | 2 | 42 | |
| 2012 | 23 | 4 | 36 | 1 | 89 | |
| 2013 | 24 | 2 | 1 | - | 10 | |
| 2014 | Penrith Panthers | 14 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 17 |
| 2015 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 13 | |
| 2016* | 24 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 33 | |
| Totals | 209 | 28 | 87 | 8 | 294 |
(* denotes season still competing.)