Jets

NRL State Championship

Sunday 6th October

1:20pm

 Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park

Norths Devils 220
Image: mafphotography
Image: mafphotography

Throw Back Thursday – Polynesian Pioneer Helps Bluebags Beat the Bunnies

Each week, thanks to CRYO, we take a look back at a magical moment in our club’s history. Today, we remember a landmark signing for Newtown who orchestrated a big win over South Sydney in 1972.

POLYNESIAN PIONEER HELPS BLUEBAGS BEAT THE BUNNIES

While the name Oscar Danielson may not automatically ring a bell for many rugby league fans, in many ways the former Bluebags and Kiwi prop is a rugby league pioneer.

In the 1960s and 1970s, there was little to no participation from players of non-European backgrounds in the New South Wales Rugby League competition. However, in 1970, Newtown coach Harry Bath broke new ground by signing Danielson, a Samoan-born New Zealand international, from the Marist club in Auckland. Danielson is believed to be the first player of Samoan heritage to grace premiership rugby league in Australia.

“I think I was the pioneer,” Danielson told the New Zealand Herald in 2012.

“If it wasn’t for me, maybe they wouldn’t have all the Polynesians there today.”

Danielson went on to play three seasons for the Blues, with arguably his finest hour coming in 1972, when he played a leading role in Newtown’s 27-19 win over South Sydney at the SCG. This match turned out to be the last fixture between the two foundation clubs to be held at Headquarters.

Coming into this Round 20 match, Newtown needed a win to keep their hopes of forcing a play-off for the last spot in a four-team finals series alive. Things started badly for the Bluebags as Souths dominated the first half to lead 14-5 at the break. Enter Danielson.

The Kiwi was unstoppable during the second half, controlling the rucks, making excellent metres up the middle and offloading the ball at will. Souths led 19-10 after 52 minutes, but by the 72nd minute the Danielson-inspired Bluebags were ahead 22-19 courtesy of a controversial try to skipper Lionel Williamson. When the full-time whistle had blown, the Bluebags had triumphed 27-19 and Danielson was the talk of King Street.

Unfortunately, for Newtown they were unable to force a finals play-off in 1972, eventually finishing equal fifth with Canterbury. Danielson left the club at the end of the year to captain-coach the Corrimal Cougars, however, his legacy on the game remains large not just for his feats on the SCG in 1972, but for the number of Pacific Islander players who take the field in NRL matches each weekend.  

CRYO Sydney is proud to be Australia’s leader in cutting edge cryotherapy, fat cell reduction and LED technologies and treatments. For more information: www.cryo.com.au

(Left to right) Newtown Coach, Harry Bath with players Dave Cotter, Larry Raleigh and Oscar Danielson in 1970.
Image: Mario Facchini, mafphotography

Newtown Jets Team List v Norths Devils Sun 6th October, 2024 (NRL State Championship)

Image: Steven Russo

The Jets NEED you! 

Newtown greats Noel Mulligan & Frank 'Bumper' Farrell.

Newtown v Norths 1945 State Cup Final

Image: Mario Facchini, mafphotography

Newtown Jets Team List v North Sydney Bears Sun 29th September, 2024 (KOE NSW Cup Grand Final)

Newtown middle forward Tuku Hau Tapuha presents a fearsome prospect for these Raiders defenders. Photo: Mario Facchini/mafphotography

Newtown’s thrilling win over the Canberra Raiders puts the Jets into Sunday’s Grand Final against North Sydney

Image: MAF Photography

Newtown Jets Team List v Canberra Raiders Sat 21st September 2024

Australian Mutual Bank
Front of Jersey

Petersham RSL
Back of Jersey

Deicorp
Back of Jersey, Training Gear, Socks

Invisi-Gard
Jersey Minor

John Singleton Group
Sleeve

Schofield King Lawyers
Sleeve

Coverforce
Front of Shorts

The Henson
Back of Shorts

Sydney Park Hotel
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Sports Medicine Institute
Medical Services & Rehabilitation

Label Plus
Major Sponsor

Arista Technologies
Technology Partner

Newtown Jets respect and honour the Traditional Custodians of the Land and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on and that the land area encompassing Henson Park traditionally belonged to the Gadigal people of the Eora nation.