Francois Escande acknowledges the Lang Park fans
There was a mini-French rugby league invasion in south east Queensland in 1975 during the World Series tournament, which also involved Australia, New Zealand, England and Wales.
The French played Australia in a Test at Lang Park, and then the following day travelled to Bundaberg for a match against Wide Bay.
And at the same time French referee, Francois Escande was in charge of a Brisbane club match, in between his international commitments.
Escande took charge of the Easts v Wynnum match at Lang Park, an entertaining affair won 16-12 by Wynnum with Test stars, Lew Platz and Johnny Rhodes among the try scorers for Wynnum.
“In this match he won the acclamation of everyone connected with Rugby League, adding a dash of colour to the Lang Park scene” wrote Rugby League News editor, Neil groom.
Local officials presented Escande with a Brisbane representative jersey after the match.
New Zealander, John Percival controlled the Test match with Australia winning 26-6, centre, Bob Fulton and winger, Mark Harris each scoring two tries, while centre, Mick Cronin and five eighth, Tim Pickup scored one each. Cronin kicked four goals from seven shots. France’s six points came from three penalty goals by five eighth, Jose Calle.
Second rower, Gary Stevens had withdrawn from the Australian side on the Thursday before the Saturday match due to an injury suffered at training. Terry Randall moved from prop to second row; John Donnelly from the bench to prop, while Brisbane Easts’ goal kicking forward, John Payne became the new reserve. Payne, who didn’t get a run off the bench in the Test, got a chance at international football that same year – playing for Brisbane against England
It was a brave effort from the French to back-up in Bundaberg the day after the Test and they won the encounter with Wide Bay in convincing fashion 36-10 in a match controlled by Australian Test referee, Don Lancashire. Veteran lock, Francis de Nadai scored two tries as did Jean-Claude Mayorgas. Other try scorers were Jackie Imbert, Michael Molinier, Francis Tranier and Charles Zalduendo. Calle kicked six goals.
De Nadai played in France’s win over the Kangaroos in 1967, and also in the 1968 World Cup when France was beaten by Australia in the final. The 1975 campaign proved his last for his country and he retired with 30 Tests to his credit, including three wins over Australia.
Fullback, Dennis Watt and winger, Brad Backer scored tries for Wide Bay while prop, Russell Tessmann kicked two goals. Backer, from Maryborough, went on to play for Queensland in the inaugural State of Origin match, while Watt, a Kingaroy boy, is current (2025) chairman of Gold Coast Titans.
Wide Bay were captained by International forward, Noel Cavanagh and also included Queensland forward, Tom Duggan. Cavanagh toured New Zealand with the 1965 Kangaroos.
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Would Harry Pickering ( a Qld rep in ’74) have been one of the Wide Bay wingers? I met Harry at his property outside Bell in February. He hosted a fundraiser for Mates at the gate.