Sam Backo in action for Canberra
MONDAY, AUGUST 4
Former Australian Rugby League prop, Steve ‘Blocker’ Roach pays tribute to his former teammate, Sam Backo, who died yesterday. ‘Blocker’ compared Backo to current Broncos’ superstar, Payne Haas.
“Sam didn’t have the work-rate of Haas, but he was just as effective as a tackle breaker,” Roach said. “Sam also had a great step, something Haas doesn’t really have. And Sam was a great roomie.”
I interviewed Sam a number of times when he played for the Broncos, Queensland and Australia in the late 1980s, early 1990s and he was always refreshingly frank, although he didn’t necessarily like journalists. Sam was a natural footballer and a giant of a man. Knee injuries cut short his first class career, but he played on with Logan City and then the Mt Tamborine Bush Rats.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 5
The Courier-Mail’s letters section features a contribution from Ray Field of Parkinson, who says Wayne Bennetts ‘paranoia’ about R360 is “laughable at best”. Field says he is a staunch supporter of both codes, but the rebel officials wouldn’t want a lot of league players because they wouldn’t be able to adapt to rugby’s more complex rules. He says he has witnessed league’s raid on the cream of rugby’s schoolboy and junior talent for many years, and it is a case of the pot calling the kettle black for Bennett to whinge.
Radio MMM’s Greg Martin also refers to the number of players league has stolen from union over the years. He says the NRL will be able to replace those lost to R360, because the 13-man code is not that hard to play – just run hard and tackle hard. Marto also has a go at “that stupid old fart” on Foxtel Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield for his comment that more people watched the women’s State of Origin in Australia than the Wallabies matches against the touring British Lions. Marto reminds us that the Lions’ matches went into homes around the world..
In relation to some of these points:
I agree that rugby’s rules are more complex and it is not a given that ‘leaguies’ will adapt. But as simple a game as rugby league might be, many union players would struggle to adapt to the pace and physicality of the code. Garrick Morgan and Tony D’Arcy might have been suited to the intricacies of union, but they didn’t adapt to our simple game.
For many years union secondary schools have picked the eyes out of primary school league sides with First XVs in mind. And many of the stars of schools rugby have been parked in those schools by NRL clubs. They never have any intention of playing union long term.
Buzz Rothfield doesn’t need me to defend him, but his point about viewers was just to emphasise how far in front league is, in the battle of the two rugby codes in this country, where Marto, Buzz ad I live. (By the way, Buzz is only five years older than Marto).
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6
Marie and I enjoy drinks with neighbours at Fay Lergessner’s place. Peter Williamson is very excited about the Wallabies win over the British and Irish Lions at the weekend and his wife, Lyn is aghast that I didn’t watch the game, preferring to focus on the NRL. The Williamsons have moved here from Tasmania, and Peter is originally from England. Another neighbour, Sally Mayocchi reveals she is originally from Orange in NSW and her dad was a professional shooter, culling kangaroos, brumbies and crocodiles (in Queensland).
In Samford Village, a woman’s car, driven by her mum it seems, has careered into the Terry White Pharmacy, causing substantial damage, but there are no injuries.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 7
At Padua College Old Boys function my former Brothers’ teammate, Pat Hannan catches up with my former neighbour from Grange, Len O’Brien. “Paddy said you were a good footballer,” Len tells me. Makes my day. Pat was a genuine first grader. I was what might be termed a ‘fringe’ player.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 8
Former Test cricketer, Matt Renshaw is my interview subject at Brisbane Beer and Beef Club lunch at Breakfast Creek Hotel. Our daughter, Melanie is my guest – on her birthday – while my wife Marie is a guest of the club. Our youngest lad, Lliam is a paying guest. Renshaw is excellent, and seems relaxed about the coming season, despite the expectation that he might force his way back into the Australian team for the Ashes. He also has confidence in the future of the game in Australia, even though he doesn’t see kids playing in the backyard or in the parks like they did when he was younger. When it comes to winter sports Matt follows the Lions (AFL); Reds (rugby union) and Newcastle (Premier League).
SATURDAY, AUGUST 9
An absolute boofhead sitting behind us at Suncorp keeps bagging Roosters’ fullback, James Tedesco as if ‘Teddy’ is useless and/or over hill. As things transpire Teddy has a blinder against the Dolphins and our boofhead mate leaves early. My former Courier-Mail colleague, Andrew Dawson and his lady are at the game and before kick-off ‘Dawso’ caught up with his great mate, Brogan Melit, son of former Brothers’ try scoring back and later president, Frank Melit. Dolphins’ forward, Francis Molo makes it his business to target Roosters’ former rugby union sensation, Mark Nawaqanitawase.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 10
There is a guy who sells donuts from CWA Hall in Samford’s Main Street and he has been doing so for some time. But just recently the Kenilworth Bakery has opened down the road and people are travelling from all over just to have one of theirs, causing traffic jams – literally. Locals are being warned to leave home half an hour earlier than normal to meet appointments. What does it say about Australians that we would make a day trip for a donut!! Anyway, our man at the CWA says his trade has actually picked up because some people are not willing to queue at Kenilworth. Car enthusiasts have been showing off their vehicles on a Sunday in Samford for some time and one hopes the traffic problems caused by donut mania doesn’t see them find an alternative venue.
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