[3] After switching codes, Atkinson became a Linwood Keas player in the Canterbury Rugby League competition and a Canterbury and South Island representative.
[4] Atkinson toured Great Britain and France in 1951–52 and 1955–56 and Australia in 1952.
Overall, he played in 71 games for the Kiwis, including in 24 tests, and was the vice captain of the squad in the inaugural World Cup.
[6] Atkinson was also a sprinter, being fast enough to compete on the cash sprinting circuit which existed at that time.
[7] Atkinson was a member of the Canterbury board of control between 1968 and 1976 and served as a provincial selector and the New Zealand national rugby league team manager for the 1974 home series against Great Britain.