Duncan Hall
Australian five eighth, Johnny Hawke was compared to the legendary Vic Hey, after his scintillating display for the Kangaroos in their 27-7 win over Lancashire club, Oldham, at the Watersheddings.
Prominent Sydney journalist, Tom Goodman said Hawke had developed more than any other member of the touring side in England.
“He (Hawke) brought all of his 12 and a half stone (80kg) into crashing tackles,” Goodman wrote. “He strove to make openings, and his strong running on the slightly sticky surface, combined with a shrewd change of pace, earned him two spectacular tries.
“Hawke, a 22-year-old Canberra player, who is to appear for a Sydney club (St George) next season, is fit to follow five eighths like Vic Hey and Pat Devery. There is something of Hey’s rugged aggressiveness about him.”
Young Queensland forward, Duncan Hall, in his first game for six weeks because of injury, showed great dash in scoring two tries, putting in a strong bid for selection in the team play Great Britain in the Third Test, at Odsal Stadium, Bradford. (Britain had already claimed the Ashes Trophy, with wins in the first two Tests). Hall had hoped to make his return against Yorkshire side, Hunslet a few days earlier, but the match was called off because of fog.
Townsville hooker, Henry Benton gave the Kangaroos an equal share of the ball, a welcome change for the tourists. Other try scores were Bobby Lulham, Bill Tyquin and Keith Froome, with Froome kicking three goals.
Britain had been dealt a blow ahead of the Third Test with the withdrawal of Welsh forward, Trevor Foster through injury. Foster, from Bradford Northern, but originally from Newport rugby union in Wales, had played in the first two Tests.
Meanwhile, the Australian Rugby League Board of Control announced the Kangaroos would not visit the United States, to play a series of exhibition matches, and instead would return home after the French leg of the tour.
Reuters News Agency reported that Queensland winger, Len Kenny had signed with English club, St Helens after being placed on the transfer list by Leeds.
English rugby league officials expressed their concern over clubs signing Australian rugby union players. A ban had been imposed on the clubs signing Australian league players, in an effort to improve the standard of international football. In those days, Australian players in England, were not eligible to represent their home country. But English officials were concerned that players seeking big money deals would gravitate to union in Australia, and then switch to league, by-passing the domestic game and heading straight to the UK.
One English club – Widnes – had adopted a policy of contracting only home grown players for the 1948-49 season.
Rugby League was trying to grow outside its northern home in England, and a competition had been set up in London.
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