FLASHBACK: July 1979

JULY 1979

A galloping 40 metre try by prop, Rohan Hancock was the big talking point from Queensland Country’s 18-9 win over Parramatta Eels in an Amco Cup round 3 match at Lang Park.

Hancock, who hailed from Killarney on the southern Darling Downs, showed amazing pace for a bulky fellow, and left Eels’ defenders embarrassed.

Man of the match was Country halfback, Larry Brigginshaw from Ipswich, who scored two tries. (Brigginshaw would go on to captain Easts in Brisbane, and in 1983 took the Tigers to a premiership under the coaching of John Lang).

Aside from Hancock, the other leading light in the Country pack was captain, Clifton-Allora legend, Greg Platz, who led by example and tackled himself to exhaustion.

Country prop, Peter Apps showed his skill with a bomb, which put Parramatta fullback, Garry Dowling under pressure and allowed Brigginshaw to score his first try. Brigginshaw beat four defenders to score his second.

Country were coached by John ‘Cracker’ McDonald, the former Test centre, while Parramatta’s coach was Terry Fearnley.

As an indication of Parramatta’s depth of talent, former Test five eighth, Johnny Peard was a reserve along with Graham ‘Muzza’ Murray, who was known as ‘Little Artie’, because of his ball skills.

Country completed the three rounds undefeated after also accounting for Newtown and North Sydney. They qualified for the semi-finals and were drawn to play Combined Brisbane.

In the Amco Shield curtain raisers, Kedron High beat St Edmunds, Ipswich 16-15 while Ipswich High d Pittsworth 8-3.

Footnotes: 1 Rohan Hancock’s daughter, Steph and Larry Brigginshaw’s daughter, Ali, went on to play for Australia in rugby league.

2 When I played league on the Tweed, for Murwillumbah Brothers, Joe Ticehurst and Gerry Ford were regarded as the best referees, and invariably were appointed to the big games.

Photo 1: Rohan Hancock at the family meatworks

Photo 2: Larry Brigginshaw at Easts.