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Herb Steinohrt: The Gentle Clydesdale
Sean Fagan of RL1908.com
Herb
Steinohrt played over 130 times for the famous Toowoomba Clydesdales
in the 1920s and 30s. From 1924 to 1933 he had ten seasons of unbroken
Queensland selection - and that only ended when he stood himself
down.
His
glorious career was crowned with Test match status on nine occasions.
He played in all Tests in Australia in 1928 against the Lions, three
of the four Test matches in England with Tommy Gorman's 1929-30
Kangaroos and led Australia in all three of the 1932 home Tests.
When
tackling he had the hug of a grizzly bear. Nat Silcock, the great
front row forward of James Sullivan's 1932 English team, and Joe
Thompson, of the 1924 and 1928 English sides, each voiced the opinion
that Steinohrt was one of the greatest forwards in the world.
Herb
Steinohrt was born at Pittsworth, Queensland, on 21 October 1899.
His father left Denmark at the age of 21 to live in Melbourne, moved
to Queensland to operate a timber mill, before marrying and settling
in the Darling Downs.
Herb
played sport at school including rugby and cricket, showing adept
skills in both. His first competition football came when he started
playing Australian Rules in his mid-teens. There had been an influx
of Victorians into the Tara area, most of whom were working on the
land and organised games were regular events. Herb played for three
years and developed his ball handling skills that were to be part
of his rugby league assets later.
When
rugby league started in the district after WW1, Herb was enticed
by a keen supporter of the new game to play in a trial match for
Warra. Reasonably successful, Steinohrt continued with rugby league
- though at some cost. To play for Warra required Herb to ride horseback
for 27 miles to get to the home ground, though many of his team
mates rode even further.
In 1921 Warra played Toowoomba Valleys in Dalby - the Valleys side
was one of the clubs in the Toowoomba competition. Herb performed
so well in a beaten side, that Valley's officials encouraged him
to move to their club for the 1922 season. After much consideration,
Herb left his family home and settled into Toowoomba in an effort
to further his football career.
Herb
was found a job at the local sawmill alongside many other Valleys
players. Starting the season as an outside back, his size and power
quickly saw him moved into the forwards and before the season was
out he was in the front row.
It was a talented Valleys side that included Matt Heisler, Harry
Liebke, Fred Prouten, Nigger Brown, Bob Miebush, Tom Roberts, Les
Upton and George Hawthorne. At Toowoomba's Athletic Oval the Valleys
side won the 1922 Grand Final over the Brothers club, who were led
by future Kangaroo captain Tom Gorman. Herb gained selection in
the Toowoomba representative side that season for two games against
Brisbane club sides, marking his rapid development.
In
1923 the tip was Steinohrt was headed for State selection, but it
did not eventuate - mainly because the standard of players in Queensland
was improving rapidly and competition for front row spots was particularly
keen. His club side Valleys lost the grand final to Brothers, Herb
was rewarded for another impressive season with his inclusion in
the Toowoomba rep sides against Brisbane and Ipswich (who were led
by 1921 Kangaroo Jimmy Craig).
The
story of the next two seasons in Toowoomba rugby league shows a
remarkable period in the history of rugby league. The Toowoomba
rep side became arguably the greatest rugby league side in the world,
and Herb Steinohrt was a big part of the reason for the success.
Herb
had developed a dourness and tenacity that made him one of the most-feared
forwards on the field - not just for Toowoomba but soon also for
Queensland and Australia.
The
Truth newspaper reported of his performances: "Steinohrt never gives
or asks for quarter, whether winning or losing he is the same relentless
foeman. He never spares himself nor his opponent."
"When
Steinohrt fights his way through rucks or through tackling skirmishes,
there is left in his wake a story of battered and bruised opponents.
Never flouting the laws of the game, though living right up to the
letter of the code. He does things that turn many opponents ashen
from fright."
Steinohrt
had matured into a tall, upright and particularly strong man, standing
over six foot and weighing near 190 pds.
His
tackling style was becoming ferocious, often alone lifting a player
off the ground before heavily returning him to earth. All fair play,
but hard, frighteningly hard.
In
photographs of Herb tackling, his opponents seem to have almost
always discarded the ball in favour of self-interest and surviving
the tackle.
Led
upfront by Steinohrt, the Toowoomba rep sides of 1924-25 were star
studded and included Mick Madsen, Tom Gorman, Duncan Thompson and
Vic Armbruster. In the season of 1924 they defeated England 23-20,
Ipswich 21-10, 31-8 and 33-18, NSW 16-0 and Victoria 47-18. Brisbane
should also have made the list of the defeated, but they found it
impossible to muster a side of acceptable quality and no match eventuated.
The
1925 season saw no let-up as Toowoomba again remained unbeaten at
season's end: Brisbane fell 30-7 and 22-3, Ipswich 18-13, 51-7 and
3-all, New Zealand 16-4 and South Sydney 12-5. The Clydesdales,
as Toowoomba had come to be known, had in one 18 month period defeated
the best of Queensland, NSW, New Zealand and England - they stood
alone atop the rugby league world.
Steinohrt
later revealed some of Toowoomba's secrets: "....success often depends
on the unexpectedness, suddenness, and speed of a team's initial
attacks. I have seen many great sides beaten in the first few minutes
of the game. I remember well how the Toowoomba team in 1924 dumbfounded
England at the start of each half. If they don't know your strength,
and the dice rolls your way, they may get a shock or two."
Herb
gained selection for the 1924 Queensland side but as the back-up
front rower in a successful side, he had to bide his time. The unbeaten
Queensland side, built primarily around the Toowoomba and Ipswich
competitions, went on a tour of North Queensland at the end of the
1924 season. Captained by former Balmain player Jimmy Craig (Ipswich),
Herb and his team mates played, and won, games in Bundaberg, Mackay,
Rockhampton, Townsville and Cairns. On the local scene, Valleys
won another grand final over Brothers.
In
1925 Herb forced his way into the Maroons side for four matches
against NSW in Sydney and Newcastle - as a lock forward. Queensland
won three of the games, before defeating the Blues twice again in
Brisbane. Like many of the Queenslanders, Herb thought his chances
were high for a berth in the 1925-26 Kangaroos tour to England -
and was shocked to learn a few weeks later that there would be no
tour, with the Kiwis going instead.
The
QRL quickly negotiated a tour of New Zealand for the Maroons at
the end of the 1925 season. After winning another title with Valleys,
Herb went on the tour and played in nine of the eleven matches.
At Auckland's Carlaw Park, Queensland defeated the Kiwis by 35-14.
It was a result that must have concerned the English Rugby League
officials, as it was further proof that a Kangaroo side built around
the best of Queensland (and therefore Toowoomba) would have made
a much more formidable opponent. The Queenslanders mean time suspected
the root cause of the "lost Kangaroo tour" lay in Sydney, home of
the NSW officials who couldn't bare to see a Maroon dominated Australian
touring party.
By
1927 Steinohrt had become a firmly established name in Australian
rugby league - he was club captain, automatic selection for Toowoomba
and Queensland, and seemingly certain for Test honours - except
there were no Tests due until the arrival of the Lions in mid-1928.
By
the time Jonty Parkin's English team shipped to Australia, Herb
was a required inclusion in the Australian side. Wearing green and
gold for the first time, Australia ran out on the Sydney Cricket
Ground with Herb Steinohrt in the Test side. Despite Australia losing
the first and second tests, Herb held his place and was part of
the winning 3rd Test side.
Next
in Steinohrt's sights was the 1929 Kangaroo tour. After strong performances
in the state games, Herb was chosen in the Australian touring party
- and given a week to get ready before sailing for England via the
USA.

The
Toowoomba community gave the four local players selected, including
Herb, a farewell street parade and numerous public functions. It
was somewhat of a relief to eventually be on the train for Brisbane.
Herb though was excited and apprehensive - he was going from the
Queensland bush, on his first long sea voyage, through the bright
lights of America and then finally across the Atlantic to England.
When
the first test arrived, big Herb was on his own - isolated from
the team because of chicken pox! Not quite how he had envisaged
his start to the tour. Steinohrt soon recovered and played in the
remaining three tests, including the unscheduled "deciding" fourth
test after Chimpy Busch's famous "no try" at Swinton. Though the
Ashes were not won by the Kangaroos, Herb had played well on English
soil and enjoyed the trip of a lifetime.
On
his return to Australia Herb learnt that many players and officials
in Toowoomba had been courted by the local rugby union in an effort
to gain ascendancy over rugby league.
It
was put to Steinohrt by the press that he had agreed to terms. It
all seems a bit strange given the "amateur" status of rugby union
that such events could hold any truth, but Herb soon put it to rest
by stating there was no way he would be playing that game: "Nothing
doing!" He then added "...and nor will anyone else be crossing
over." Herb had spoken - and no one left.
In 1931 Herb became captain of the Maroons and despite the NSW side
fielding a host of Kangaroos, he led the Queenslanders to a series
win. At the end of the season, Steinohrt led an unbeaten South Queensland
side on a representative tour of North Queensland, playing matches
in Townsville and Cairns.
Despite
the illustrious career that Steinohrt had so far enjoyed, in 1932
it got even better.
He
again captained Valleys to a premiership win, led the Toowoomba
Clydesdales to another Bulimba Cup title, retained leadership of
the Queensland side, and gained the Australian Test captaincy for
the Test series against the visiting Jim Sullivan's Lions.
In the First Test the Australian side included five Toowoomba players,
including Herb as captain. Before a capacity SCG crowd Steinohrt
proudly led out his team to resounding cheers. While Australia could
hold the English in the forwards, the outside backs of the Lions
were too fast for the locals - even though it was a close result,
with the Lions winning 8-6, Steinohrt demanded changes in the backline
for the remaining Tests.
Proud
as he was in Sydney, Herb was elated at leading his team in Queensland
territory at the Gabba (Brisbane Cricket Ground). What ensued made
him even prouder as the famous Battle of Brisbane Test unfolded
- his team of injury riddled players outstayed the pride of England
to win 15 points to 6.
"After the game every player was carried head high from the field,"
recalled Steinohrt. "I remember, because I was dropped, none too
gently onto the concrete at the dressing room door. But it was worth
the pain, we'd beaten the Poms!"
While
the Lions then toured through northern Queensland, Herb returned
to Toowoomba and prepared his Clydesdales for another assault on
the Englishmen. In the toughest match the Lions experienced outside
of the Tests, Toowoomba pushed the Poms to the limit and the match
ended in a fierce 7-all draw. Again the famous Toowoomba was unbowed.
It
also gave Herb more cause for confidence for the deciding Test in
Sydney, though he admitted to getting increasingly "edgy and irritable"
as the game drew nearer. At halftime the SCG crowd, the team and
Herb all felt good - Australia was in front by 9-3 and in control
of the match. The lead was soon increased to 11-3 with less than
a third of the game remaining.
Against
the run of play, the English scored a converted try, then from the
kick-off a shell shocked Aussie team let in another - the Australians
were behind by 13-11 in the blink-of-an-eye. Steinohrt composed
his team and led with some forceful runs into English territory,
searching for a penalty to bring the scores level. Sure enough,
it worked and Eric Weissel kicked the goal to tie the match with
minutes left.
Further
strong play by Herb and his fellow forwards gained Australia a last
minute penalty shot from near the posts to win the game - and the
Ashes.
Unable
to watch, Steinohrt turned to face the crowd, knowing their reaction
would tell the story - they let out a groan as Weissel missed.
The
final play of the match saw Lions fullback Jim Sullivan take the
drop-kick and he found touch on the Australian quarterline as the
bell for time rang out.
But
it wasn't over as the referee ordered the scrum. The Lions won the
ball and running down the blindside was their winger Smith who broke
through to score the winning try.
1933
was to be another Kangaroo tour year, and all eyes were on the experienced
Steinohrt to lead the party to England. His season didn't get off
to a good start - as a volunteer fire fighter in Toowoomba, Herb
had stayed watch over an extinguished fire in a town theatre overnight
to ensure it did not flare up again.
Soaking
wet from the earlier action, Herb was found by morning to be suffering
the early effects of pneumonia. The advice from the doctors was
his football career was over, and Steinohrt knew it. Herb announced
his retirement.
But Toowoomba coach Duncan Thompson convinced ‘Steiny' to fight
back, and then make his decision again. After a month's training
in secret, Herb returned to the field for Valleys, Toowoomba, then
for Queensland.
With
the health concerns behind him, Steinohrt was part of a remarkable
event as the entire Toowoomba XIII was included in the Queensland
squad for the trip to Sydney.
In
the second match against NSW, an even rarer occurrence unveiled
itself - the Toowoomba XIII took the field as the Queensland side!
Steinohrt's
performances in the state games was praised by the NSW selectors
and he was pressured hard to make himself available for the Kangaroo
tour. Herb had been given the captaincy of the 1933 Kangaroos!
Steinohrt
though knew that his chest condition would ensure his visit to England
would be in vain, even perhaps dangerous. On returning to Brisbane
he announced that he was retiring immediately from all State and
Test football, unselfishly leaving his place in the Queensland team
vacant for other aspiring tourists.
He continued to play for Valleys and Toowoomba in 1934 and 1935
before considering retiring, Herb was now 36. But the thought of
playing for the Clydesdales against the 1936 Lions saw Steinohrt
continue on.
When
the English arrived the Toowoomba side included Fred Gilbert and
Vic Hey, along with Steinohrt and may fine players. Fearing another
loss to Toowoomba, the Lions chose a near Test side.
Excitement was high in the region, and special charter trains were
put on to transport fans from Brisbane who wanted to see the game.
No one was disappointed as both teams put on a thrilling two-try
each performance.
A
wayward conversion attempt by Toowoomba ultimately let the Lions
off as the visitors hung on to record a 10-8 win. A week later the
Lions thrashed Brisbane 35-13, proving again where the power in
the Queensland rugby league resided.
Herb
Steinohrt retired in 1938 ending a grand rugby league playing career.
But for Herb that was not enough as he coached and selected Queensland
sides over the decades that followed.
He
also took a particular interest in developing junior players, and
coached locally well into his later life.
There are few men who have left a greater legacy upon rugby league
in Queensland than Herb Steinohrt.
Thanks
to the Steinohrt family for providing access to Herb Steinohrt's
personal archive and to the biography: "The Gentle Clydesdale
- The Story Of Herb Steinohrt" by Jim Sweeney (Cranbook Press
- Toowoomba - 1975).
Copyright
© 2006 - Sean Fagan. All rights reserved - the article above may
not be reproduced (in full or part) in any form without written
permission.
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