Andrew Ettingshausen in his Leeds’ days
Australian centre, Andrew Ettingshausen scored three tries in a triumphant return to Headingley in Leeds, where he had two stints in the 1980s, the first with Cronulla teammate, Mark McGaw.
The touring Kangaroos fielded a near Test line-up in their first club match on the 1994 Rugby League tour of Britain and France, and scored nine tries to one in a brilliant display, which thrilled the crowd of 18,581.
Ettingshausen and McGaw were pin-up boys in Leeds when they played there, and ‘ET’ received a warm welcome from the Headingley faithful on his return in the green and gold of Australia. Ettingshausen and McGaw had played for Leeds against the 1986 Kangaroos.
‘ET’ wasn’t the only one to trouble the scorers, with Broncos’ halfback, Allan Langer crossing for three tries to stake an early claim for the Test number 7 jersey, ahead of Canberra’s Ricky Stuart. Australia’s other try scorers were skipper, Mal Meninga; second rower, Steve Menzies and centre, Steve Renouf. Lock David Furner kicked six goals. Scottish fullback, Alan Tait scored Leeds’ only try, while centre, Francis Cummins kicked a penalty goal.
The Leeds’ line-up included French rugby league international, Patrick Entat; former All Black centre, Craig Innes; Kiwi rugby league internationals, Gary Mercer, Kevin Iro, George Mann and Esene Faimalo, as well as English superstar, Garry Schofield. The coach was Doug Laughton, a member of Great Britain’s Ashes winning side in Australia in 1970. Castleford referee, Russell Smith let play flow, and this suited the Australians.
The Kangaroos, coached by Bob Fulton, had begun the tour three days earlier against County side, Cumbria in Workington. On this occasion the Kangaroos also scored nine tries, with David Fairleigh and Wendell Sailor each grabbing a brace, while Tim Brasher, Paul McGregor, Menzies, Ian Roberts and Jim Serdaris also scored. Rod Wishart kicked eight goals. Sailors’ tries were long range efforts, one from 60 metres and the other from 90. Menzies took the John Smith’s Man of the Match award.
Cumbria’s only try was scored by local Workington lad, Paul Burns, while another Workington player, Dean Marwood kicked a goal. The referee was John Connolly from Wigan, and the crowd 4,277.
Footnote: Paul Malone covered the tour for ‘The Courier-Mail’. I took a supporters tour of 44 people, mainly people associated with the Souths and Easts clubs in Brisbane.
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