The Return Of The Invincibles (1986 Kangaroos) were
a far superior team for any of the British Teams including GB although
the 3rd Test at Wigan was a cracker....
St.Helens were top of the English league played 8 and won 8 averaging
37pts a game, when the Aussies arrived. As optimistic as we were, the
Kangaroo back line read: Jack, Shearer, Kenny, Miles, Meninga, Lewis &
Sterling. So we were at least honoured with a full test line up. Channel
9 broadcast the match live and from the off both sets of forwards gave
it plenty.
For Saints (Tony Burke, Graham Liptrot, Paul Forber, Andy Platt, Roy
Haggerty & Chris Arkwright / For Australia: Roach / Simmons / Dowling /
Cleal / Niebling / Lindner)
Steve Roach was off the field after 2 minutes, he stiff armed Chris
Arkwright and dislocated his elbow and was replaced by Paul Dunn.
Saints gave as good as they got and some of the off the ball challenges
would make you cringe. With his back to the Saints posts Lewis laid off
a typical pass and was hit by Arkwright (Grandson of Jack Arkwright)
with a forearm in the back of his head.
Later in the game Paul 'Rambo' Round came on the park with one purpose
in mind, to hit as many Aussies as possible. With partner and back-up
Arkwright, Round hit Garry Jack and all hell let loose, Arkwright had
his shirt ripped off and Round and Jack were sent to the sinbin,
threatening each other all the way back down the tunnel.
The highlight of the game came from the Aussie commentator on the day
as he was trying to work out the English accents in the crowd and the
songs we were singing. Fred Lindop had just given a penalty to Australia
when we were begging for a way back into the game. The Saints crowd, as
one, started to sing, "Who's the bastard, who's the bastard, who's the
bastard in the black ? "
The guy on Channel 9 repeated it word for word with a chuckle....I
doubt if he's ever worked again !!!
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