NRL cult hero George Rose praised the toughness of the Newcastle All Blacks after inspiring Walgett Aboriginal Connection to a 28-16 victory over them in the Koori Rugby League Knockout final at Raymond Terrace on Monday.
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The Melbourne Storm prop was named player of the tournament after leading Walgett to the title for the first time since they went back-to-back in 2010.
Since then Hunter sides Mindaribba (2011) and Newcastle Yowies (2012 and 2013) have dominated the event and with it kept hosting rights at Lakeside Sporting Complex.
But now the annual tournament will head west and likely be held again at Bathurst.
The win on Monday came after Walgett fought back from 16-4 down early in the second half as draining heat took its toll on Newcastle, who had to overcome controversy and a gruelling semi-final win over the Timana Tahu-led Yowies just to make the decider.
Toomelah Tigers protested against the All Blacks on Sunday, claiming forward Michael Lingwood was not indigenous and therefore not eligible to compete.
The protest was dismissed but it forced the delay of the All Blacks’ quarter-final against North-West Warriors to Monday morning.
The All Blacks, which featured Penrith five-eighth Will Smith and 1997 Clive Churchill Medal winner Robbie O’Davis, won but had to back up 90 minutes later against defending champions the Yowies, who included NRL players Tahu, Dane Gagai, Travis Waddell and Maurice Blair.
However, Tahu and Waddell, along with All Blacks forward Isaac Briggs, were sent off after a brawl in the first half. Both sides finished with 11 players after All Blacks winger Aaron Simon was marched in the 50th minute for a high shot.
Down 26-18 with eight minutes left, the All Blacks scored twice to knock out the Yowies.
But the hectic schedule told in the second half against Walgett, who scored through fullback George Krepa and halfback William Wright in final 10 minutes to win and claim the $67,000 first prize.
As well as Rose, Dragons back-rower Joel Thompson and former NRL player Rod Jensen were headline acts in the Walgett side.
Rose said both sides showed heart in the heat.
“The whole squad really dug deep and we had to against a squad like the Newcastle All Blacks, who I’ve always thought are one of the best sides in this competition,” Rose said.
“Full credit to them, because they really gave it to us and made us work hard for it. It was a massive effort. It was a hot weekend with tough football all weekend. There’s so much talent on the field.”
Rose, a NRL premiership winner with Manly in 2011, said success in the knockout was always special.
“We’ve had a few tough years but I always thought we had it in us to go further, but this year we just really dug deep and really worked hard for each other,” he said
“All these boys are my brothers or cousins or close mates, so it’s the best feeling to win with them.
“And you’re playing for the pride of your community.
“The first win in 2009 was really emotional.
“We’d worked hard for a good 10 years for that one and this one again, we were working hard to build our reputation back up, so this means a lot.”
All Blacks skipper Scott Briggs, who scored a try and set up one of Matt Simon’s two four-pointers with a precision kick, was proud of his side’s fighting spirit as they tried to give the group a first knockout title since 1987.
“It’s a really good effort from the boys,” Briggs said.
“We had to play two games today to get to the final and it takes it out of you but I can’t fault the boys.
“In the final we had three troops down as well.
“The semi-final really took it out of us, but we did well to get here and give them a good run for their money.”
