THROWBACK THURSDAY: AUSTRALIA TORCHES FRANCE AT ICY PARKES
We know it can get cold in Canberra, but it’s safe to say the conditions for Friday night’s Rugby League World Cup clash between Australia and France in the capital will be more hospitable than when the nations met in Parkes in 1990.
Pioneer Oval was the venue for the historic mid-season Test in the central west NSW town – ailing France’s first visit Down Under since 1981.
Temperatures neared freezing level and players required hot water on the sidelines to warm up their hands throughout a trying match, which the green-and-golds ran away with 34-2 in front of 12,384 hardy supporters.
Australia ran in eight tries in Mal Meninga’s first Test as captain (incumbent Wally Lewis was unavailable due to injury) but the scoreline was tempered by some infamously bad goalkicking. Just one four-pointer was converted – Gary Belcher successful with his only shot – with Meninga (0/2), Michael O’Connor (0/3), Laurie Daley (0/1) and Dale Shearer (0/1) all coming up empty in front of goal.
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