Justice James Burchett’s Federal Court ruling on February 23 blocked Super League’s proposed breakaway competition from commencing in 1996, but the rebel clubs initially baulked at the prospect of playing under the ARL banner.
All except the Auckland Warriors – who were prepared to send first and reserve grade teams made up of players from New Zealand’s domestic competition to Brisbane – decided en masse to forfeit their Round 1 fixtures as they wrangled with the ARL over the conditions of their return to the fold.
South Queensland, Parramatta, Newcastle and St George all received two free points (as did the Warriors) with their Super League-aligned opponents sitting out the weekend, leaving a threadbare four-match schedule.
The season opener delivered an upset as fast-finishing Western Suburbs overwhelmed Illawarra 17-8 – the Magpies’ first win in Wollongong since 1985.
The odd man out in a three-quarter line boasting 1995 NSW reps Rod Wishart, Paul McGregor and Brett Rodwell, ex-Crushers winger Fili Seru bagged two fine tries after halftime to put the Steelers in front. But 33-year-old halfback Craig Coleman, who joined Wests in the off-season, scored a try and produced a brilliant pass to set up another for rookie forward Damian Kennedy inside the last 20 minutes.
“I’m so proud of the two great ARL clubs,” ARL Chairman Ken Arthurson gushed after getting a rapturous reception from the 9,744-strong Steelers Stadium crowd.
Coleman and Seru set the tone for new faces starring on club debut.
Brett Dallas blazed in for a hat-trick and Queensland teammate Ben Ikin also dotted down in Norths’ 42-26 defeat of Gold Coast; Test captain Brad Fittler and Ivan Cleary were among Sydney City’s best in a 38-10 thrashing of Sydney Tigers; and former All Blacks centre Craig Innes’ double was only overshadowed by Steve Menzies’ four-try haul as Manly crushed Souths 44-6.
Coleman revealed the meaning behind Wests’ new catchcry, ‘Bottles’, introduced by coach and old-school motivator Tommy Raudonikis.
“It just means ‘ticker’,” ‘Tugger’ Coleman explained to Big League.
“‘Bottles’ is a call for courage used by the Red Beret in the British Army. Tommy got it out of this movie he took us to see.
“It just means what’s in here (pointing to the left side of his chest) under pressure. If a player has no ticker he won’t play for Tommy. No way.”
Raudonikis’ unfashionable squad channelled that spirit throughout 1996 to qualify for what was ultimately the Magpies’ last finals appearance as a standalone entity.
The dissenting Super League clubs and players softened their stance, agreeing to play in Round 2 and committing to see out the season in the ARL competition.
“It is time for our great game to be given back to the loyal fans where it belongs,” ARL chief executive John Quayle said in Big League.
“To forget personal issues and acrimony and unite for the overall benefit of rugby league. We must get our game back on the field for the people and start to repair the damage that has been done through the most difficult period in the code’s history.”
The truce would only prove temporary – but the hastily applied band aid was enough to deliver a 1996 competition for the game’s weary supporters.
