VALE PETER CONNELL

Peter Connell was a genuine hard man of rugby league in the 1970s when he represented Queensland and played in Toowoomba representative sides which twice brought down touring British sides.

Connell was a legend of the Oakey Bears Club which contested the Toowoomba District competition, his leadership qualities lifting his players to great heights. With Connell a mainstay Oakey won four premierships in the 1970s.

It was during the 1975 season that the State selectors called on Connell for duty against New South Wales under the coaching of former Test halfback, Barry Muir. He played in the return inter-state match at Lang Park with the Maroons courageous in a 27-18 loss which followed a 14-8 win over the Blues in the mid-week floodlit match. Connell was a reserve for the first game but was not used. He also travelled to Sydney for the third and deciding match and again was not used, as the Blues clinched the series with a 9-8 victory.

A World Series was held on a home and away basis that year in both hemispheres with English and Welsh sides touring Australia. England, which drew 10-10 with Australia at the SCG, lost 25-16 to Toowoomba with Connell accompanying future Test forward, Greg Platz in the second row and scoring a try against the Roger Millward captained, Alex Murphy coached tourists.

Murphy was so impressed with Connell he signed him for his club side Warrington in Cheshire with Connell making his debut alongside Welshman, Mike Nicholas in a 23-17 win over Huddersfield at Wilderspool in November. He then played in Warrington’s next 14 matches scoring a try in an away win over Hull Kingston Rovers, before returning to Australia.

In 1979 a full Great Britain side (containing English, Welsh and Scottish players) toured Australia and after an undefeated run through Queensland, including a win over the Maroons, the Lions crashed to Toowoomba six days before the First Test.

This time Connell partnered another future Test forward – Rohan Hancock – in the second row, as Toowoomba won 19-16 with Connell and skipper Greg Platz rated the home team’s best forwards by The Courier-Mail’s Barry Dick.

It was Connell who set up Toowoomba’s only try, making a clean break and then finding Greg Robison in support with Robison drawing fullback Keith Mumby and passing to Trevor Dunemann, who did the rest. (Britain scored four tries to one with the difference coming from the boot of winger, Warren Green, who kicked eight goals. Wide Bay referee Ron Mason penalised Britain 17-4).

Connell played a lot of other representative football and was a regular in Toowoomba teams. In 1978 he played for South Queensland against New South Wales Country. In 1979 he helped Toowoomba to a 26-14 win over a Queensland Country side coached by Toowoomba legend, former Test centre, John ‘Cracker’ McDonald.

Away from football Connell had a sports store in Toowoomba for quite a few years, and at one stage employed a young Rob Moore who would go on to play first grade for Valleys in Brisbane before becoming CEO of the QRL.

Peter Connell died on March 18, 2026 aged 79. His funeral was held on March 25. He was a Life Member of the Oakey Bears.

Peter’s passing was acknowledged by Warrington with the club posting a lovely tribute on their website. The club sent their condolences to his daughters Brooke and Amanda.

“Peter can now be with his lovely wife, Sharon who pre-deceased him,” the club statement concluded.