After two months in camp at Lang Park, Queensland’s ‘special squad’ team defeated South Queensland 39-6 in the first match under lights at the famous stadium.
The Special Squad, coached by Bob Bax, scored nine tries to two. with Henry Williamson, Glenn Harrison (uncle of Ashley) and Bob Peut getting two each.
The Lang Park camp was a QRL innovation designed to end New South Wales’ dominance of inter-state football, with the Blues having won every series since 1959.
Players lived in the dressing rooms under the Frank Burke Stand and were put through daily physical and skills sessions from mid January until mid-March when they returned to their clubs and/or home towns.
The squad was: FORWARDS: John McCabe, Hugh O’Doherty (Valleys); John Lang, Des Morris (Easts); Greg Veivers (Souths); Richie Twist (Wests); Darrell Scheiwe (Redcliffe), Rod Hoffmeister (Ipswich), Ted Irvine (Toowoomba), Barry English (Gympie); BACKS: Brian Adams, Glen Harrison, Bob Peut (Norths); Wayne Stewart (Wests); Bruce Hatcher (Easts), Les Barnes (Bundaberg), Lee Hutchinson (Nambour), Peter Videroni (Ipswich), Henry Williamson (Townsville), Wayne Bennett (Toowoomba).
Lang, Veivers, Stewart and Bennett went on to play for Australia.
The Maroons did not win a series against the Blues in the 1970s and in 1980 State of Origin football began.
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Des Morris should have definitely gone on to play for Australia…maybe even captain Australia one day however he was ruled out by a rival clubs doctor of having a heart murmur and as such a “health risk”. John McCabe was a great player who could have been anything in the game. Lesser players have played for Australia than those two guys.
Agree 100 percent, Geoff.