Ray Higgs (right) and Jim Porter, playing for Parramatta
Former Test lock, Ian ‘Ripper’ Doyle likened Broncos’ forward, Alan Cann to two of Queensland’s most lauded rugby league forwards, Gary Parcell and Ray Higgs, after Cann’s devastating display for the Broncos against Wests Magpies at Brisbane’s ANZ Stadium.
Doyle, a Kangaroo tourist to Britain and France in 1956-57, and Queensland coach from 1965-67, said Cann’s work-rate and strength were standout features, as Brisbane fought back from a 16-0 deficit to beat the Magpies 36-16.
A product of Toowoomba rugby league, Doyle was one of 20 Internationals hosted by the Broncos at the match, to celebrate Queensland Day.Cann tackled ferociously, and also scored a try, in a game played at furious pace. Kevin Walters and Chris Johns scored two tries each for Brisbane, while fullback, Julian O’Neill landed six goals from as man shots. Wests’ halfback, Jason Taylor was also on target, landing four from four.
Wests’ coach, Warren Ryan said his players’ brought out the best in the Broncos with their attacking brand of play, and for long periods had silenced the home crowd of 40,733.
Broncos’ halfback, Allan Langer was sidelined by a corked thigh in the second half, while lock, Terry Matterson was taken from the field with concussion in the 17th minute after a dubious tackle by Wests’ lock, Kyle White.
Fullback, Butch Fatnowna scored three tries in Brisbane’s 38-10 win over Wests in reserve grade, while winger, Wendell Sailor scored two. In the first match of a triple header, champion Gold Coast School, Keebra Park beat Farrar Agricultural College from Tamworth 20-14.
Scott Sattler, the son of former Australian skipper, John Sattler, made his first grade starting debut for Gold Coast Seagulls in their 12-6 loss to Balmain at Sydney’s Leichhardt Oval. Scott had come off the bench three times in premiership games and also played 60 minutes for Seagulls against Great Britain at Tweed Heads in 1992. He played second row against Balmain, alongside Peter Gill.
A Runaway Bay junior, Sattler was a boarder at Nudgee College in Brisbane for three years, and played rugby union. He would play league on Friday night and union on Saturday.
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