Snow Davis returns to Darwin 61 years on from historic rugby league clash between the NT and France

IN 1960 Ian ‘Snow’ Davis represented the NT in the first ever rugby league international match in Darwin against France at Garden’s Oval. And now exactly 61 years later Davis has returned to the Territory in awe of the progress the Territory sport has made.

Ian ‘Snow’ Davis holding his jersey from the 1960 game between the NT and France in Darwin.

IN 1960 Ian ‘Snow’ Davis represented the NT in the first ever rugby league international match in Darwin against France at Garden’s Oval.

And now exactly 61 years later Davis has returned to the Territory in awe of how far the sport has come in the Top End since that historic game.

Davis, a front rower, played for the ACS (Airfield Construction Squad) and was introduced to the game he loves almost immediately upon arrival in Darwin.

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“I had never been here before in my life, went up to the beer hall and went up to order my beer,” Davis told the NT News.

“A bloke came up to stand beside as I ordered a beer and said ‘You’re new here mate, do you play football?’ I said yes and then he directed me to the squadron leader Bluey.

“I met the squadron leader and he contacted headquarters saying “we’ve got a new driver posted in, AC Davis, if you want any drivers that need to go to quarry he’s not going.’

“After that he told me where training was and that was my introduction to rugby league in Darwin and I thoroughly enjoyed it.”

From there Davis and his ACS squad developed a reputation as one of the strongest in Darwin frequently featuring in the season’s game of the round.

Those strong showings earned the young gun a spot in the NT side set to face France in the first ever international with the coach being Bill Palmer.

Davis weighing in at around 12 and a half stone at the time faced off against heavy French prop Angelo Boldini in the battle of the front row.

Ian Snow Davis in his playing days.

And to his good fortune Snow scored one of two tries for the NT side in their spirited 42-14 defeat making his mark on the the milestone game for the Territory.

Also in the NT side was Kevin Boyd who played for the RAF Greens who was well renowned for his speed referred to frequently as ‘nippy winger’.

Boyd lived for the game playing as often as he could and it was his speed and athleticism that earned him a place on the NT side.

The NT crest worn by the rep side against France in 1960.

“We trained pretty hard for the game though not quite as physically as guys would train today,” Davis said.

“The match created a lot of interest at the time. It was a big deal and we met the Frenchmen in town when they arrived to get to know them.

“We were pretty nervous ahead of the game but it turned out alright. Though the biggest disappointment was the coach’s last words saying we had no chance of beating them.

“We got out there and did the job. I was fortunate to score a try against them, with the final score being 42-14 in their favour which wasn’t too bad considering who they were and where we came from.

“There were huge crowds at Gardens Oval because league was a big deal back then. Everyone enjoyed themselves and that night we had a barbecue at the racecourse.”

The program and teamsheet of the rugby league game played between the NT and France in 1960.

NRL NT life member and former league writer Frank McPherson OAM was another who left a lasting impression on Davis from his time in

And when back in Darwin in 2010, many years after that match, Snow went to visit McPherson, who instantly recognised the former player despite being in a poorly state at the time.

“It was a Sunday morning when we went to see Frank and he was looking very poorly at the time,” Davis said.

“I said ‘hello Frank, it’s many summers since we’ve spoken’ and he looked up and said ‘you used to play for army navy.’”

“I said ‘no, not army navy’ and then he said ‘Snow Davis, ACS’ and his wife and nurse looked at me and shook their heads because even in that state he remembered that about me.”

And even now upon his most recent return to the Top End 61 years after running out against the French as a 20-year-old Snow is in awe of how far sport and the town he used to call home has grown.

“It interests me a lot when you see the teams that have developed up here such as Litchfield and how far it has come,” Davis said.

“Rugby league and other sport up here has come along come 1000 per cent and that’s great to see.

“If some of my mates could come back and see this now they would be amazed, it’s fantastic.”