John Wittenberg at training
Great Britain came to regret targeting young Theodore prop forward John Wittenberg in the third match of the Lions’ tour of Australia in 1966 – against Central Queensland.
The match was played in wet conditions in Rockhampton with the local representative side at long odds to beat the tourists who were fired up after a shock loss 17-15 loss to North Queensland in Townsville three days earlier.
But CQ won 10-5 after the scores were deadlocked 5-5 at the break. Wittenberg was carried off the field in pain in the 16th minute after what Courier-Mail chief league writer, Jack Reardon described as a “cruel tackle”.
Reardon put it nicely when he said Wittenberg returned to the field with “renewed fire and strength to drive back the English forwards with powerful tackles and crashing runs.”
Britain fielded a giant pack, even by today’s standards, so the exchanges in the ruck rocked the grandstands at Browne Park. The British pack included two men who would prove greats of the game – Cliff Watson and John Mantle. But they held no fear for the local forwards who came up with driving tackles which upset their rivals.
The British forwards took out their frustrations by resorting to high tackles, elbows and fisticuffs in the second half and Wide Bay referee Merv King had a big job keeping a lid on things. British skipper, Ken Roberts appealed to his forwards to ‘cool down’ and King called out Roberts and CQ skipper, Nev Lingard for a long chat.
Reardon wrote that King allowed too much wrestling, and was erratic with his rulings in the ruck and the scrums. Reardon also indicated that British forward Terry Fogarty needed to have a good hard look at himself because of the number of times he lost the ball, and the number of times he gave away penalties for being inside the five metres.
Britain started well with bright attack and centre, Ian Brooke scored an extraordinary try, running from one side of the field to the other to cross in the corner. Five eighth Willie Aspinall was also sharp and penetrative and there were some good first half passing rushes by the forwards.
Wittenberg, was given great support by co-forwards Des ‘Tractor’ Tracey and Mick Lill, while in the backs Ray Laird, halfback Bill Rowland and five eighth Marie Raper often troubled the British defence.
Raper was the younger brother of Test lock Johnny Raper and had moved to Queensland after playing lower grades with Canterbury and Wests in Sydney. Penrith, a club which had been promoted from the Sydney Second Division to the big time for 1967, had talent scouts in ‘Rocky’ and signed Raper on the basis of his performance against the tourists.
Maurie passed away on February 20, 2026, aged 81. He played fours seasons with Penrith; then another four with Cronulla before finishing with Helensburgh in the Illawarra League.
The 1966 British tourists recovered from their poor start in Queensland to win the First Test in Sydney. Wittenberg was chosen from Theodore, a town of around 500 people, to make his Australian debut in the return Test in Brisbane which Australia won 6-4 in a tryless, brutal encounter. Australia then won the series thanks to a 19-14 win in the decider at the SCG in a free flowing affair. Cliff Watson was sent off in this match.
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