South Sydney legend George Piggins relives his infamous 1973 battle with Manly enforcer Malcolm Reilly

WARNING: You are about to read graphic detail from the two men who kicked, punched, headbutted and gouged each other in the most violent incident in rugby league history.

WARNING: You are about to read graphic detail from the two men who kicked, punched, headbutted and gouged each other in the most brutal and violent incident in rugby league history.

After 44 years, South Sydney Rabbitohs legend George Piggins and Great Britain enforcer Malcolm Reilly have caught up at the scene of their crime.

In front of the old Ladies Stand at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

It was the Saturday afternoon of July 21, 1973. Round 18 of the then NSWRL. Souths v Manly.

The day Piggins gouged Reilly so viciously that his eye momentarily popped out.

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Rugby league greats Reilly and Piggins return to the SCG. (Brett Costello)

Today these warhorses are so different. This is the first time, in Piggins’ memory, they have met since the judiciary hearing in which they both got three-week bans.

They are still tough old men but absolute gentlemen. Piggins 73, Reilly 70.

Reilly arrives first and we talk about the dirty old days. He points to his teeth: “They’re all implants.” Then his knees: “They’re both titanium.”

Then Piggins walks in. Their greeting is beautiful. A handshake and a warm embrace.

There is this incredible respect. Like Reilly, Piggins is now paying for his footy days.

He’s had one knee replacement and needs another. Two shoulder reconstructions. He takes a tablet to ease the arthritis pain every six hours.

He reveals his dad, Wally Piggins, asked him to quit rugby league after the game such was the brutality.

Reilly and Piggins go at it.

“It’s something now that you almost regret being part of,” Piggins says, “It’s obviously not a good advertisement for rugby league.

“You wouldn’t want your grandchildren looking at, put it that way.”

Reilly interrupts: “It’s not something you’re proud of but I guess these things happened in the heat of battle.

“The game was so much different. You expected a blue most weeks. Especially Souths and Manly and all the rivalry. And none of them liked Poms.”

They exchange some friendly banter.

“I wish you’d picked on a bigger bloke,” Piggins said.

Reilly: “Hold on, you picked on me.”

Neither can even remember the score. From that day it’s all been about the brawl, not the scoreboard.

I asked Reilly if it was true that his eye actually come out and he replies: “I think it did.

“George was so formidable, tough and so game but it’s a good thing they’ve cleaned it up now.”

Piggins went into more detail about the fight in his old book.

“He came down on me and as he got up he virtually played the ball on top of me, and his boot crashed down onto my jaw, the sprigs raking my mouth, ripping and tearing flesh from around my teeth.

“When that happened I thought, “You bludger, you did that on purpose” and I whacked him. We grabbed each other and there were a couple of headbutts and punches thrown.

“The ref warned us ‘If you keep going, I’II send you off’. We had hold of each other at that point.

Piggins in his Souths heyday circa 1979.

“I relaxed my hold and next thing he let me have it — a big Liverpool kiss. Then it was really on. I grabbed him and came up hard with my head in close. I had a bit of strength and I was able to fling him to the ground.

“I’m trying to give it to him. In that sort of situation, I am a street fighter. It’s win at all costs.

“Anyhow, it got a lot worse when he shoved a finger in my eye — I don’t know whether it was deliberate or not, it could have been accidental. But I saw red. “Oh, you want to gouge, you bastard!” I yelled at him. I went straight for one of his eyes, and I’ll swear I had it out in my hand.”

Reilly never minded getting in amongst it.

Monday’s reunion came out of preparations for an appreciation dinner for Piggins on Saturday night to honour his contribution to the South Sydney Rabbitohs. All proceeds go to his favourite charities. It sold out weeks ago.

Reilly has been in Australia for Christmas and the New Year with his son in Newcastle, the city from where he steered the Knights to that unforgettable 1997 grand final victory.

He flies home on Wednesday and couldn’t make the dinner. On Monday they caught up at the SCG then enjoyed some old stories over lunch at Bar Reggio. Both with their wives.

I ask Piggins are today’s NRL forwards as tough as the old days.

“Bloody oath they are,” Piggins said, “They just can’t get away with some of the stuff we used to do and that’s a good thing.”

The two warhorses are from another era for the game. (Brett Costello)

Reilly says he does not enjoy rugby league as much as he used to.

“It’s a bit stereotyped and defence oriented,” he said, “There’s not enough offloads. It’s lacking some creativity. There’s three or four in tackles to slow it down. That stops some of the entertainment. It’s still a terrific game but it could be better with a bit less structure.”

They sit next to each other at the restaurant. Reilly on orange juice, Piggins lemonade and they just keep on chatting.

Piggins invites his old combatant to dinner in his own home when he next returns to Australia.

“We’re best of mates now and that’s what’s important,” Reilly says,” He’s a great bloke.”

Originally published as South Sydney legend George Piggins relives his infamous 1973 battle with Manly enforcer Malcolm Reilly