Rodger Kuhn in action for Easts at Lang Park
The last rites were being read over the famous Bulimba Cup inter-city competition after Brisbane thrashed Ipswich 66-5 at Lang Park in the first match of the 1970 series.
With Brisbane clubs becoming wealthier, they were able to pillage places like Ipswich, with 18 players from the coal city registered with BRL clubs in 1970. Sydney of course, pillaged Brisbane, but that’s another story.
The Brisbane team included Test star, Dennis Manteit in the second row and another Test forward, Lloyd Weir on the bench.
The loss was another blow to Ipswich, who had missed out on a match on the Great Britain tour itinerary announced in the preceding week, with Ipswich officials lodging an official protest with the ARL.
In Brisbane club football the day after the Cup clash, Wests defeated Easts 8-2 at Lang Park, despite the loss of young prop, John McDonald to a kicking charge.
Referee, Dale Coogan had his hands full in a fiery clash, with plenty of punches and late hits.
The match saw the debut of 18-year-old Easts’ fullback, Rodger ‘the dodger’ Kuhn, who was adventurous in attack and gutsy in defence. Kuhn scored the only try, with the boot of Wests’ winger, Wayne Stewart providing the difference.
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