JANUARY 1948
Queensland Rugby League five eighth, Ted Verrenkamp made an impressive club debut in England, for Leeds against Oldham, at Headingley Stadium.
‘The Yorkshire Post’ newspaper commented that Verrenkamp could have been excused if he had played badly on a muddy pitch, coming from Australia’s firm grounds.
“Instead, he seemed thoroughly at home,” The Post enthused. “His neat handling, strong tackling, and general quickness, held out much promise for a display of attacking arts, when conditions are more favourable.”
Leeds won 26-5 with Verrenkamp’s fellow Australian, former Test forward, Arthur Clues, among the try scorers.
Verrenkamp played six matches for Queensland in 1946 and ’47, from Brisbane Souths – five matches against New South Wales, and one against the ACT.
In other news of the time, Test stars, Noel White and Reg Kay announced they would play with Wests in the Brisbane competition, after moving south from Townsville and Rockhampton respectively. The addition of White and Kay to Wests’ ranks, had critics tipping the Paddington boys for the premiership.
Verrenkamp spent 10 years in the UK, before returning to Australia, to coach in Cairns.
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