Rugby league: The best CQ Capras team ever, as selected by journeyman commentator Jason Costigan
Drumroll please... in Grand Final Week 2022 we’ve tracked down arguably Queensland’s most experienced rugby league commentator and asked him to name the best CQ Capras team ever to play. SEE THE LIST.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Jason Costigan, or “Costo” as he is widely known, is arguably one of Queensland’s most experienced rugby league commentators.
He called a lot of footy at Browne Park in the 1990s when he was a sports reporter and presenter for WIN TV in Rockhampton.
The original voice of the Cowboys, Costo has called more than 200 NRL games including an NRL Grand Final, almost 50 Tests or internationals including a World Cup Final, and even English Super League.
After serving three terms as an MP in the Queensland parliament, Costo has returned to calling the NRL and international rugby league.
In fact, Costo has now called the game in 10 countries including war-ravaged Ukraine, whose grand final he broadcast last year.
Costo has also called grand finals in Ireland (twice), Serbia, and Fiji where he said “Bula” in front of the cameras three weeks ago in between reading the news in Sydney and tweeting about the game he loves.
So who better to ask to select the best Central Queensland Capras team ever to play?
Before we get to the side Costo came up with - 1 to 13 plus four interchange players, an 18th man and two reserves - here’s an appetiser.
First Player Picked:
Greg Reynolds. From all reports, from the very beginning, Greg epitomised what the Capras jersey stood for. From the Berserkers to Blackwater and beyond, he was fiercely passionate about the jersey and led from the front. Greg could also play in the centres or in the back-row and his leadership on the field is the stuff of legends. Even today, after serving as a great player for the Capras, as captain, coach and whatever else, he continues to talk up the Capras in the local community and I admire that enormously.
The Captain:
I couldn’t split them - Greg Reynolds and Ian Thinee. I remember when I first met Ian at Raffles in North Rocky about 30 years ago, well after his playing days. He was a gutsy and incredibly tough player who was a tackling machine especially in his days at Redcliffe and it was no surprise that when he came back to Rocky, he was co-captain of the Capras alongside Greg. As I understand, the great Johnny Rhodes was responsible for that as coach. Don’t forget that Ian played for Queensland well before State of Origin came along and his opposite number for NSW back in 1975 was the great Ron Coote. In fact, that Queensland side beat NSW which was rare in those days. So yes, in my team, he shares the captaincy with Greg, like they did when the Capras took the field in that inaugural season of the Winfield State League.
Modern Day Maestro:
Look no further than Cameron Munster. I had the privilege of calling plenty of NRL and international footy involving the likes of Thurston, Lockyer, Johns, Marshall, Jones etc, and Munster may well join that sort of company. Come to think of it, who was the Bulldogs official who rejected him when old boy (and then Capras coach) Jason Hetherington suggested they sign him? Perhaps it was the same bloke who let Thurston go to the Cowboys!
Goal-kicker:
Paul Iles was a natural. In fact, he was a freak when it came to goal-kicking and kicking in general play and I fondly remember calling him at Browne Park. He was a super talent and it was a shame he never fulfilled that huge potential. I was sorry to learn of Paul’s passing many years ago because he was always obliging and ever so humble.
The X-Factor:
Paul Iles, once again. He was just an incredible talent at five-eighth and I can remember the late Arthur Beetson raving about him, likewise Wayne Bennett. In fact, everyone raved about Paul because he could turn a game in a flash. If the Capras needed a big play, at least from what I remember, Paul was the go-to man. I should also mention Troy White, who won a game for the Capras with a breathtaking individual try against Fiji in Gladstone in 1993. He had plenty of X-factor - at fullback, centre or wing.
The Bolter:
Campbell Powder. What an excitement machine and what a name as well. I really loved calling him at Browne Park when Woorabinda played in the Extended League and how the fans would go nuts when he was on the fly or smashing blokes in defence. I think I needed tablets when he got the pill. Gun Powder, as he was called, literally brought people through the gates! I’m sure his heroics at Gordon Henry Oval, home of the once mighty Warriors, is part of folklore in that community. Great memories. I got Campbell in as my 18th man.
Hard Luck Stories:
PJ Marsh is unlucky not to make my team - as for hooker, I went for Greg “Turtle” Conescu who was the Maroons and Australian hooker when he was with Brothers in Gladstone in ‘84.
I also have Graham White on my bench. He was a specialist hooker whom I always thought would crack the big time but for some reason, it didn’t work out that way. Gee (White) had a brain for reading the play like few others and was the central figure of a very successful Capras team. I wanted to select PJ especially as I had called a lot of his footy in the NRL when he was at the Warriors. In fact, I was in Blackwater to interview his parents the very day he got picked for Queensland but in the end, I couldn’t go with three hookers in my 18.
The other unlucky player I’ve nominated who missed out in my 20 is Guy Williams who is very much revered as a Capras clubman. His commitment was second to none.
Coach:
Murray Hurst. Murray was at the helm during a golden age for the Capras just before the start of the Queensland Cup as we know it today. He’s got an incredible record as Capras coach and I remember the night they somehow beat North Queensland when everyone, me included, thought they were gone for all money. The fact that Murray went on to coach at NRL and international level is testament to his work at the Capras, in addition to other coaching jobs he took on. It’s a shame Murray departed the Cowboys because he deserved better.
Jason Costigan’s best CQ Capras team ever:
1. Cameron Munster.
2.Troy White. A fantastic talent who had speed to burn. He was a superstar for the Capras in those years I was a regular calling their games. Against the touring Fijians, he won the match with a brilliant solo try right at the death. I’d love to watch his highlights reel, if anyone has got such a thing.
3. Gary Larson. Started his career as a speedy centre out of Gladstone before Miriam Vale’s favourite son became a State of Origin legend via North Sydney. He was a tackling machine that should have been patented.
4. Greg Reynolds (c).
5. Matt Sing. I called Matt playing for the Roosters and Cowboys and the Kangaroos. I did not see him play for the Capras but how can I leave him out? I could rave about him all day, having first laid eyes on him at the Dysart Bulls. A freakish try-scorer who also saved plenty.
6. Paul Iles.
7. Greg Upkett. Greg was a magical player at both club and rep level. He could change a game very quickly and deceptively attack the line. He was a mainstay for the Capras who’s revered to this day.
8. Will Tarry. The fact that Will represented Queensland outside the Origin arena should serve as a reminder to how good and tough he was. He would have commanded so much respect in that Capras jersey back in the 80s. No powderpuffs playing the game then. Will was quite the opposite. A force to be reckoned with who smashed blokes.
9. Greg Conescu. I didn’t just pick him for his ability to impersonate Stefan. The “Turtle” was the Queensland and Australian hooker when he was playing out of Gladstone in ‘84. It was a huge thing back then and this former Origin great certainly raised the bar for the Capras in that one season he played for them.
10. Marshall Leisha. He was probably better in the second row but Marshall could play up front and with plenty of starch. He did the dirty work for the Capras and was hugely popular with his team-mates. Marshall was also loved by local footy fans, regardless of club allegiances. He is gone but not forgotten.
11. Dave Taylor. The original “Coal Train” was Shane Robinson but this version took it to another level. On his day, was there anyone more frightening with the ball? I loved calling the Coal Train (Dave) in the NRL and can only imagine the following he enjoyed among all railway workers in Central Queensland. In fact, had I been his manager, I’d have organised a sponsorship with Aurizon or Pacific National.
12. Matt Rua. I didn’t see him play at the Capras but he must have been on fire when he came to Browne Park - enough to convince the Storm to get him back in the NRL. In fact, I called his comeback match on TV out of Auckland. Matt was such a destructive runner of the ball and in defence, you’d probably have to check your ribs after every time he got you. Super player.
13. Ian Thinee (c).
INTERCHANGE:
14.Graham White. Small frame but a big brain and with plenty of heart too. Graham, or “G” as we called him, was super quick between the ears. He went up to the Cowboys and I still can’t work out why he never made it. He was central to the Capras’ success in the early to mid-90s.
15. Wayne Alberts. He had skill, commitment, toughness and more. Wayne’s history in the halves shouldn’t be overlooked but he was also a gun at the back of the scrum to accommodate Upkett and McCaffery. Wayne was also in the inaugural Gold Coast team in the Winfield Cup.
16. David Wright. David was good enough like a few people in this side to represent Queensland Residents. I think one of the highlights of his career was representing the Capras in his hometown against the touring Fijians. He was a great competitor who left zero in the tank.
17. Francis Rolls. Plenty of go-forward from big Frank, whom I remember playing in various places including Mt Isa where I reported on his Foley Shield side for News Corp in the early 90s. He was tough as teak and wherever he went, teams performed better with him leading their engine-room.
18TH MAN:
18. Campbell Powder.
RESERVES:
19.PJ Marsh.
20. Heath Egglestone. I remember the start of Heath’s career and to score 99 tries for the Capras is something to be immensely proud of. You don’t score that many meat pies with no ability. His long-time service to the team also deserves the highest praise. Who didn’t love the Egg?
COACH:
Murray Hurst.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS TEAM?
You too can put your selector’s cap on and have your say on who you think should have made the team. You can add your comments in the comments section at the bottom of this story. Remember, play friendly. It might be the greatest game of all, but it’s still just a game.
NEED SOME HELP PICKING YOUR TEAM?
View a list of every player to have worn the Capras jersey HERE.
* You can follow Jason Costigan on Twitter @CostoJason
REVEALED: QLD’s top strikers, players and football officials
BEST OF THE BEST: We reveal the best strikers, players, coaches and volunteers who made their mark on Queensland football this season. Find out who cracked the list here.
‘Devastating’: Greyhound’s ghastly track injury, death reignites racing debate
The death of a greyhound following a neck-breaking crash at a Qld meet has attracted the furore of anti-racing advocates, but industry chiefs insist it was a “freak” accident on “one of the best tracks” in the state. *Distressing content.