Kiwi, Fred Ah Khoi (left) takes on Australia’s Bob Fulton in 1978
A runaway try in the last minute gave the New Zealand tourists a dramatic 18-13 win over Toowoomba, as well as a huge morale boost ahead of the Second Test against Australia at Lang Park. Toowoomba had proved a graveyard for many visiting sides over the years and the 1978 Kiwis, coached by Ron Ackland, looked set to join the list of Clydesdales’ victims, or at best, escape with a draw.
The score was 13-13 when Kiwi centre, Warren Winter pounced on a loose ball near the halfway line and dashed away to score. The try was converted by Nick Wright as the fulltime siren sounded.
The Kiwis revelled in the heavy conditions and scored four tries to one, with Toowoomba goal kicking ace, Warren Green landing five goals from six shots to keep the Clydesdales in touch. Besides Winter, the other New Zealand try scorers were Wright, Steve McGregor and Fred Ah Kuoi. Halfback, G Robison scored Toowoomba’s try.
Second row, Peter O’Davis was Toowoomba’s best, with a magnificent defensive effort. (Peter is the father of former Test fullback, Robbie O’Davis). Five eighth, McGregor and prop, Whetu Henry were outstanding for the tourists. Penalties favoured Toowoomba 16-8. New Zealand’s Toowoomba triumph followed an impressive 22-12 win over Brisbane at Lang Park, with Brisbane having led 12-10 at halftime.
Brisbane’s 12 points came from four tries, with Greg Holben missing the conversions, plus a penalty shot at goal. The tries were scored by Steve Bullow, John Abbot, Mark Payne and Rob Poudziunas.Both sides gave the ball plenty of air, with referee, Mick Merchant keen to let play flow. Kiwi prop, Lindsay Proctor earned the ire of Merchant with his vigorous style of play, while hooker, Alan Rushton was the crowd villain, with his fiery defence.
Samoan centre, Olsen Filipaina was the most impressive attacking player on the field, consistently breaking through tackles, while also showing a good burst of speed.The Courier-Mail’s Jack Reardon had this to say about Filipaina: “This sturdily built Islander is very hard to bring down, and the Kiwis mist learn to make more use of him, particularly close to the line, because he can always beat the first tackler.“
Test hooker, Nick Geiger was a late withdrawal from the Brisbane side, his place going to Gary Prickett, with Bob Jones the new reserve. Holben assumed the captaincy after Geiger’s withdrawal.It was officially a Brisbane Colts side, but selectors effectively went for the strongest side available, picking six State reps., much to the disgust of QRL president, Senator Ron McAuliffe. “The team was not supposed to include State or International players,” McAuliffe said.
The chosen side was: Greg McCarthy (Wests); Brad Backer (Easts), Mark Payne (Easts), Paul Beauchamp (Brothers), Rod Poudziunas (Brothers); Greg Holben (Easts), John Salter (Souths); Steve Calder (Norths), John Abbott (Easts), Bob Kellaway (Souths), Steve Bullow (Redcliffe), Nick Geiger (Norths), Peter McNamara (Brothers). Res: Peter Dutton (Norths), Wayne Carr (Wests), Paul Vautin (Wests), Bill Whitmore (Wests), Gary Prickett (Wests).
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Thanks Steve . Ron Acklands nephew was a very good sportsman as well – John Auckland. Played for Auckland in both rugby league & cricket . He came out to Murwillumbah Brothers to play in 1986. He played one maybe a couple of tests for the Kiwis in league . Had a reasonable coaching career as well assistant at the Warriors & coached Samoa at a World Cup. Pretty sure he scouted Sonny Bill Williams for the Bulldogs in the early 2000’s . Trust you are well .
John Ackland and I were pen friends when I was attending Murwillumbah High. We have caught up a number of times in fairly recent times. Yes, he scouted SBW.