French players and staff celebrate a win over the Kangaroos in 1978
French nuclear testing in the Pacific threatened the good relations enjoyed by the Australian Rugby League and the French Rugby League, with the ARL threatening to cancel a proposed tour by the European nation.
The ARL cited concern for the welfare of young French footballers as the reason behind the prospect of withholding invitations for a tour in 1973.
ARL Chairman, Bill Buckley said his organisation would be watching planned talks in Paris, between the Australian and French Governments.
“If there are no nuclear tests this year, we will have a look at the possibility of a French tour,” Buckley said. “We are taking a common sense approach. We do not want to subject young French footballers to the tensions I am sure there would be, if the tour went on, while nuclear tests continued.”
There was also a chance the Kangaroos might not visit France at the end of the British leg of the tour in October/November 1973.
French Rugby League president, Rene Mauries said it was all about politics, not sport.
“I think they (the ARL) fear there will demonstrations against us (as was the case with anti-apartheid protests against the Springboks in 1971) and if that is the case, then we must not go and provoke trouble,” he said. “We are only two months away from the (proposed) tour, and we are supposed to be meet in a day or two, to pick the 26 players.”
France had hosted the 1972 World Cup, and had performed credibly, beating New Zealand and putting up solid displays against Australia and eventual winners, Great Britain. They had beaten Australia in a 1970 World Cup match in Bradford, England, and were looking to build on their reputation in Australia, after having reached the 1968 World Cup final at the SCG, a stunning result after the disappointments of 1964, when they made their previous full-scale tour of Australia and New Zealand.
As things transpired, the 1973 tour did not go ahead, but the Kangaroos did visit France at the end of the year.
In Brisbane club football in early April, Wynnum-Manly caused the early surprise of the 1973 season in defeating Norths 27-21, with former Sydney Wests and Canterbury-Bankstown forward, Neville Hornery the spearhead for the Seagulls.
Norths went to an early 10-2 lead thanks to tries to Ken Berrigan and skipper, Eric Lilley, but the Seagulls’ fightback was inspired by Hornery and former Murwillumbah Brothers’ halfback, Des Lee, with Hornery setting up a try for winger, Doug Kelly, while Lee started and finished a movement which saw him cross near the posts. That was the first of Lee’s three tries.
Norths fought back in the second half and one of their try scorers was winger, Athol Gear, who played alongside Lee in Brothers’ win over Cudgen in the 1969 Tweed/Gold Coast Grand Final at Murwillumbah.
Besides Hornery, the other Wynnum forwards to shine were Bob McMullen, Les Salter and Len Brunner.
Norths had been rocked during the week by the news former State prop, Peter Hall had quit, for business reasons.
Two great goals by fullback, Tony Scott gave Souths the winning margin over Redcliffe in a Lang Park thriller. Both goals were from inside his own half and from awkward angles. Scott also scored a try and landed two other easy goals for an 11-point tally in the 22-18 win.
Scott’s opposite number, Tony Obst was also outstanding, scoring a 50 metre try and playing a major role in a try by winger, Merv Cook. (Cook was a favourite of noted actor, William McInnes, who grew up supporting Redcliffe). The result was a triumph for Souths’ new coach, former Test forward, Ken Day, who was replaced as coach at Redcliffe by his former Brisbane Wests’ and Australian teammate, Barry Muir.
Souths’ halfback, Gary Dobrich, like Wynnum’s Des Lee, a product of Murwillumbah Brothers, played a key role in a sensational try. Redcliffe’s Kiwi Test prop, Robert Orchard had dropped the ball on the halfway line, and instead of retrieving it, kicked it away in disgust. Dobrich swooped, and began an attacking raid which finished with prop, Greg Veivers scoring.
Redcliffe were counting the days until the premiership debut for the club of Canterbury-Bankstown signing, Ron Raper, who had moved to Queensland with the ambition of representing the State. Raper broke his hand in the pre-season competition.
Ron was one of 11 children – eight boys – with former Test lock, Johnny the eldest of the boys. John was captain-coach of Newcastle club, Kurri Kurri in 1973.
Heavyweight fullback, Howard Fullerton kicked Easts to a 29-22 win over Wests in the Sunday Lang Park match, landing seven goals from eight shots.
Former Australian skipper, John Sattler, in his first season in Brisbane football, set up Noel Croft for the first try; put giant prop, Ray McCarron (Murwillumbah Brothers’ 1971 captain-coach) in for a try, with a clever long pass, and set up Peter Luppi for another three-pointer. Winger, Warren Orr’s 50 metre try also came from a well-directed Sattler pass. Another long pass by ‘Satts’, a product of the Kurri Kurri club, was intercepted by Easts’ former Ipswich winger, Jeff Denman, who raced away for a try.
In the other match, Valleys defeated Brothers 12-8 at Neumann Oval, with Mick Rathbone and Ross Strudwick in great form for the victors. Brothers’ best was lock, Greg Thomas. Brothers’ State prop, Len Dittmar had arrived back in Brisbane from a stint with Hull in England, but club officials decided to let him get over jetlag first. Dittmar praised the ball skills of English forwards.
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