Thomas Eion Willis 1992 – 1997

Tom was Head Boy in 1997. At the end of year prizegiving Tom was awarded a Special Prize for Sports Studies. He was a finalist in the Salter Trophy which is awarded to the school’s top sports person.

He was selected for the New Zealand Secondary Schools Rugby Team, the Southern Regional Rugby Coaching School and was awarded the A.J. Barron Excellence in Rugby Trophy. Tom was awarded a School Blue for Rugby.

On leaving school Tom studied a variety of papers including Law in his first year – he was fortunate enough to make the cut for Law School. He completed his Law Degree part-time while being a professional Rugby player. Tom had a Rugby career spanning twelve years, playing within New Zealand and the UK. He retired from Professional Rugby in 2011 and was admitted to the Bar in May 2013.

Tom played Rugby for Otago nine times from 1999 to 2003, the Highlanders in 2000 to 2003, Waikato in 2003 and the Chiefs from 2004 to 2008. For Waikato from 2004 to 2007 – he captained the team when it won the 2007 Air New Zealand Cup and the Ranfurly Shield. In 2008 he played for the Welsh side Newport Gwent Dragons for the European season. He was appointed Captain and made 25 appearances in his first season. He retired with an injury in 2012.

Tom was first selected for the All Blacks in 2001 and was team Captain against Scotland A and Ireland A. In 2002 he played in the year’s domestic and tri-nations tests. His test debut was in 2002, a win over Italy in Hamilton. He played four more games for New Zealand before having a long two-year hand injury layoff which permanently ended his international career.

After five years overseas Tom and his family needed somewhere to live and he needed a job. Dunedin was home for him and he was fortunate enough to secure a position as Law Clerk at Galloway Cook Allan in 2012. He also completed the professional legal studies course required for admittance to the Bar as a Solicitor. Then for the next ten years he worked hard to hone his technical skills as a Lawyer. 

Tom has been made a partner in the firm Galloway Cook Allan, a long-established firm where he has enjoyed meeting a diverse range of challenges and has been able to live out his love of the law.