Rugby league legend dead at 74

2 years ago 442

A Kangaroos halfback who achieved a spot successful rugby league infamy for creating "the top effort ne'er scored" has died.

Dennis Ward was a subordinate of Manly's archetypal premiership-winning squad successful 1972 - a tenacious small halfback with a good crook of speed.

But it was his exploit successful the months aft the Sea Eagles' historical triumph that earned Ward his spot successful the game's folklore.

In the 1972 World Cup last against Great Britain successful Lyon, with Australia connected the attack, Ward enactment up a clever small spot footwear that sailed implicit the English defence.

Australian fullback Graeme Langlands charged done and, successful 1 creaseless motion, collected the shot and dived implicit for what would person been the match-winning try.

But the effort was disallowed by French referee Georges Jameau, who could not judge Langlands got determination truthful rapidly and ruled the Australian skipper offside.

Subsequent replays showed that Langlands was, successful fact, good onside and the effort should person been allowed.

The crippled ended successful a 10-all draw, with Britain awarded the rubric by virtuousness of their superior grounds successful the qualifiers.

Ward, who died astatine 74, besides toured with the 1973 Kangaroos and coached Wynnum-Manly successful Brisbane.

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