With no cuisses de grenouilles (frog's legs) or escargot (snails) on the menu at Boydies, the French Rugby League Team settled for T-bone steaks, Idaho potatoes and vegetables for their first meal in Mount Isa.
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Monsieur Blain, French Rugby League Team manager, laughed as he told local dignitaries his men were becoming steak converts since arrival in Australia.
The year was 1964 and the French invasion in town was a welcome respite from the rumbles of discontent within the local mining fraternity.
During their four day stop over, the Frenchmen were kept busy with a tour of the mine, a swim and barbecue at Lake Moondarra and the pièce de résistance the official opening of Boyd Hotel's Beer Garden.
A ploy some local larrikins noted in 'On the Level' as distractions to keep the visitors off-centre with training preparations for the big game. A civic reception hosted by Mount Isa Shire Council was promoted as an all-male affair which led many to question what happened to lady councillor, Lillian Noakes?
Another blunder respectfully laughed off was M. Blain's reference to Shire Chairman, Len Doughan, as 'Monsieur le Mayor'.
A further distraction for the French Rugby League Team before they ran onto Kruttschnitt Oval was the much-anticipated return bout between Don 'Bronco' Johnson and Laurie Munns on the eve before the football clash.
In the brawling fight, 'Bronco' Johnson and Munns scored a final draw, a decision by referee, Alec Biondi that the crowd appeared to agree with.
The boxing officials were delighted with the entry numbers tallying close to 2000 which included the full entourage of 48 officials, masseurs, coaches and footballers making up the French Rugby League Team.
With both sporting clashes held on Kruttschnitt Oval, the Board of Management for Parks and Gardens, had their share of earlier clashes with the community when a 120 feet hose used for watering the oval, went missing.
The opportunist was told no further action would be taken providing the hose was returned to the oval before the boxing match on the Friday evening; it was never seen again.
Finally, following two days of sightseeing, light training, and T-bone steak meals, the Frenchmen were raring to teach the local footballers who were the better rugby league players.
Some of the players asked their interpreters to tell the Mount Isa players; first we win on the field and then we win your women!
Speculation was whether Mount Isa Captain, Kevin Brasch, would be fit to play following an injury to his right leg during the previous week's local football game. "I was kicked just above the knee and the muscle has swollen", he said.
That was not the only concern Brasch had.
After kicking 20 goals in the previous three competition games, his kicking boot fell apart. If that was not enough to make an Aussie footballer eat escargot (snails), when a local bootmaker refused to attempt any repair to the boot Brasch said without his favourite 'kicking' boot, he would not run onto the field with pieds de grenouilles (frog's feet).
The was the opportunity for Mount Isa Rugby League to showcase local players to Australia and for local fans, they had the chance to see one of the world's greatest rugby league teams, France, run onto the field in their famous red, white and blue guernseys.
In the leadup to the game, Mount Isa Sports Depot announced that the regulation footballs to be used in the international game were purchased through their store.
While Barkly Motors advertised ... Vive La France ... Vive La Viva ... The new GMH Small Car!
The Mount Isa Representative Team selected were - W Thompson, A Nixon, M Brosnan, B Wogandi, G Brown, A Searl, K Brasch (Capt), P Hegerty, G H........., R Church, M McDonald, A Scott, R Taylor with reserves: K Robinson, F Sh ........, G Cappler, E Bell.
Mount Isa was excited!
In the prelude to the game God Save The Queen was played splendidly by the Mount Isa Silver Band although not the same could be said of their attempt to play the French National Anthem - La Mareillaise.
Whether by design or accident, there was eruptions within the band when a French player kicked the football right into the centre of the bandsmen, knocking instruments, stands and music flying everywhere.
The rugby league match of the year had began on a high note!
The Mt Isa Mail reported the local team ... put up a first class exhibition of football although losing 23-14 to France. Alan Searle, Kevin Brasch and young rugged second rower Glen Brown, 19 played the games of their lives.
The Mt Isa Mail continued ... at one stage in the second half, France led by the narrow margin of four points.
Half back Kevin Brasch looked to be the equal of his French counterpart Garnung, however he did not kick as well as he had in previous local matches.
Apart from forward Estlau, five eighth Villeneuve and winger Etcheberry who scored three tries, few of the Frenchmen were worthy of mention. France led 18-4 in the second half after Etcheberry scored his third try, set up by centre Savenne.
Mount Isa came back strongly and pressed the French line for about five minutes.
Then Brasch ran the blind side and sent a well-timed pass infield to Searle who dived over to score after beating several players; Brasch converted.
Right winger Tony Scott ran forty yards to outpace the opposition and scored in the corner. A difficult penalty by Brasch made the scores 18-14.
Late in the second half Villeneuve scored and converted his own try to clinch the French a 23-14 win.
And while the French rugby league footballers proved victors on the field, they were not so fortunate with the local lasses.
Researched and written by Kim-Maree Burton www.kimmareeburton.com
Information sought from Mt Isa Mail, Brisbane Courier Mail and the Sydney Daily Mirror.
Photographs courtesy of Mt Isa Mail newspaper.