Back in 1947, after the Grand Final, which Canterbury lost, they went to Queensland to play a couple of matches. First up, they were against Brisbane. Brisbane won the match to the tune of 60-2.
Allegations were rife that Canterbury players were drunk.
The investigations dragged on from 24/9/47 to 14/10/47. In that time, Canterbury refuted players were drunk, stated they were not going to hold an investigation if the NSWRL were going to and then decided to hold one.
On the day, the managers of the team gave each player 5 pounds and left them on the day of the game with kick off at night. After they picked up the players from the ground, took them back to the hotel for dinner and back to the game for kickoff. You wonder what they did with their 5 pound bonus for the four hours they were left alone.
The Brisbane Rugby League found that some of the Canterbury team were drunk. The NSWRL had (not in an official capacity) a board member at the game and he eventually named two players who were intoxicated.
What amazes me is how history often repeats itself in Rugby League and I am not just commenting about Canterbury.
If I was just commenting about Canterbury, I would point out how earlier in the year (1947) the players threatened to boycott because they were overlooked for match of the day fixtures.
Allegations were rife that Canterbury players were drunk.
The investigations dragged on from 24/9/47 to 14/10/47. In that time, Canterbury refuted players were drunk, stated they were not going to hold an investigation if the NSWRL were going to and then decided to hold one.
On the day, the managers of the team gave each player 5 pounds and left them on the day of the game with kick off at night. After they picked up the players from the ground, took them back to the hotel for dinner and back to the game for kickoff. You wonder what they did with their 5 pound bonus for the four hours they were left alone.
The Brisbane Rugby League found that some of the Canterbury team were drunk. The NSWRL had (not in an official capacity) a board member at the game and he eventually named two players who were intoxicated.
What amazes me is how history often repeats itself in Rugby League and I am not just commenting about Canterbury.
If I was just commenting about Canterbury, I would point out how earlier in the year (1947) the players threatened to boycott because they were overlooked for match of the day fixtures.