Action from the 1971 Queensland v British Lions Rugby match at Ballymore
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
Dual Rugby International, Geoff Richardson’s first game for the Queensland Rugby Union side was against the touring British Lions in 1971, when he marked Irish legend, Mike Gibson. Richardson, a National Serviceman based in Townsville, played a starring role in the Reds’ 15-11 win. Geoff loves the history of both rugby codes, and was a great mate to his former Queensland Rugby League coach, Barry Muir, who died last week. Barry toured Britain and France with the 1959-60 and 1963-64 Kangaroos. Mike Gibson was a spectator at London’s Wembley Stadium when the Kangaroos defeated Great Britain 28-2 in the First Test, in 1963. He rated the Australian backline the best he had seen, in either code. It was: Muir, Earl Harrison; Ken Irvine, Graeme Langlands, Reg Gasnier, Peter Dimond; Ken Thornett.
‘God Save The King’ is sung ahead of the Catalan Dragons v Leeds, Super League Qualifying Final in Perpignan, possibly the first time it has been featured before a sporting fixture, since the death of ‘The Queen’. SkySports’ commentator, former Great Britain forward, Phil Clarke recalls getting up close with The Queen in 1977, when she visited his school in Wigan. She was patron of the Rugby Football League until 2016, and opened the offices of the British Amateur Rugby League Association (BARLA) in Huddersfield. Sky’s Irish host, Brian Carney says he met ‘The Queen’ at Wembley when he played for Great Britain (and Ireland). It was awkward for Carney when ‘God Save the Queen’ was played before Test matches. He would lower his head, and not sing.
The Murwillumbah Showgrounds website has no mention of my old club, Brothers, in its history. It was our home ground for many years.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
Barry Muir’s funeral is held on the Gold Coast, with Eulogies delivered by the likes of his wife, Louise and former Internationals, Greg Veivers, John Lang and Geoff Richardson. Fittingly, a mate sends a photo from a Brisbane rugby league match, this one involving Redcliffe, a club Barry coached in the 1970s. It features Redcliffe forward, Forester Grayson, belting my former Brothers’ teammate, John Short.
Struggling English rugby league club, Wakefield Trinity sack Willie Poching as coach. Willie is a great rugby league man, and I’m sure he will land a job somewhere within the code. I remember interviewing him at Manchester Airport, when the Samoan team arrived for the World Cup in 2000.
As I wait for a blood test, a group of ladies in the Samford practice talk Australian rules and other important matters. One lady talks non-stop, mainly about books she has read, but also about wage demands connected with the light rail project on the Gold Coast. She is an ex-Victorian and loves the Lions’ AFL side. One of the other dears goes for the Western Bulldogs. She comes from Blackburn, in Victoria. I’ve been to Blackburn, Lancashire.
Over $2 million has been allocated for cliff restoration at Shorncliffe, on Brisbane’s northern bayside, where Marie and I walk today, after fish and chips.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
Petanque is being played as Marie and I stretch our legs in Kalinga Park after brunch at Let Minnow Cafe. When I make use of the park’s public facilities, a woman in the next cubicle, tells her granddaughter to come in, “otherwise, a man might take her away”. I don’t know whether that is the right thing to say. That little girl could be spooked about men for life. Then again, she might be more scarred by the experience of being in the toilet, while her grandmother does her business. Our neighbour, Margaret Urquhart has her purse stolen from her shopping trolley at Everton Park. Old people are such easy targets for low, mongrel dogs. She believes the culprit was female.
Former Redcliffe rugby league star, Vic Tighe lives at Charleville in Queensland’s west. “A nice, humble chap,” says local, Laurie Parker. I remember Vic being on Channel 7’s Sportscene, when I was part of the panel, in the early 1980s.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
Former ABC Commentator, Gerry Collins recalls rugby league hard man, Peter Dimond playing for Maitland, and wiping out one of Gerry’s Teacher’s College mates – from Souths – with a dubious shot, in the second minute of their Newcastle A grade match. Gerry reminds me that his co-commentator on ABC Radio in Canberra was 1963-64 Kangaroo tourist, Paul Quinn. It seems the blokes who were involved in an ugly brawl that Marie and I witnessed in the stands at Suncorp Stadium, during Magic Round, came from Goulburn. They have been banned from attending NRL games for three years.
I watch some of the Bledisloe Cup Union Test in Melbourne. The Wallabies still insist on coming out in their track suits – bad look boys. I know the practical reasons – staying warm and all. But you need to run out ready to play. The bloke who does ‘Welcome to Country’ says Indigenous have been here 80,000 years. The timeline seems to change with every ceremony. The first half of the game lasts 51 minutes and 10 seconds, and the Wallabies have possession for 12 minutes. The ball was in play for a few minutes more. Only serious.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
Animal Rights supporters congregate in King George Square as guests arrive for the annual Men of League Foundation Queensland Lunch in City Hall. News Ltd’s Robert ‘Crash’ Craddock conducts interviews on stage with former Queensland and Australian teammates, Mal Meninga and Bob Lindner. When Bob was coach of the now defunct South Queensland Crushers, I was his ghost writer, for a weekly column in ‘The Courier-Mail’. Mal and Bob confirm that the British put Vaseline on the football at Wembley, before kicking off to Australia. I have a lovely chat to Tom Cassin, from the Tweed Committee, who is recognised for his work for the Foundation.
One of my wife’s favourite tennis players, Roger Federer, has retired, aged 41. I learn of the passing of former Sydney Easts’ hooker, Mick Plant, a Paddington Colts junior. Mick helped found the Noosa Pirates club.
Our son, Lliam, a director of Solar Energy company, Supply Partners, attends a meeting chaired by State Energy Minister, Mick de Brenni.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
Leeds rugby league coach, Rohan Smith is emotional after the club’s Super League semi-final win over Wigan. What a difference he has made to the club since joining them from Brisbane Norths. Leeds were written off early in the season, after a disastrous opening few rounds.
Former Test star, Greg Bird wins his first ever top grade Grand Final when he is part of Southport Tigers’ triumph over Burleigh at Robina. Mining magnate, Clive Palmer, a former player, sponsors the Tigers, and tries to get on the field, but is stopped by security. Bird played for Catalan Dragons in 2018, when they won the prestigious Challenge Cup Final at Wembley – against Warrington. But he was suspended and had to watch the triumph from the grandstands. My wife, Marie and I attended the match, and I can report that Bird was delighted for his teammates. He was the first on the field to congratulate them.
My brother, Jeff and his wife, Ann visit Samford Grove and we enjoy lasagne for dinner, while chatting about life in general.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
A driver goes through the pedestrian crossing in Samford’s Main Street, as I walk across. It’s a common occurrence, partly because the 50kmh speed limit is too high. It should be 40kmh.
Channel 7’s Spotlight puts the spotlight on former rugby league star, Mario Fenech’s battle with dementia. His wife is not happy with the way Mario was treated on Channel 9’s Footy Show. Footy Show host, Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin was upset at those claims. “Mario Fenech is one of the greatest people I have met,” Vautin told News Ltd. “To tell a fella you love him is a big deal and we would often say that to each other, as he left (the Channel 9 studios).” Mario’s situation is so sad. He was my mother, Lola’s favourite player, and she was thrilled to meet him, at Suncorp Stadium, when he captained the South Queensland Crushers.
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