Rugby League: training

A reporter from the Ten Network interviews Arthur 'Artie' Beetson, player-coach for the Eastern Suburbs Roosters, during a light training session for his team. Beetson became the first Aboriginal Australian to captain for Australia in any sport and is frequently mentioned as the best postwar forward in Australian rugby league history.

The clip also features 'Rocket' Rod Reddy, named as such because he hailed from Rockhampton, Queensland. Reddy played for St George for 11 years and also represented Australia in 17 matches.

The men are discussing the final of the 1978 Amco Cup, which Easts won 16-4. The Amco Cup was a mid-week competition held between 1974 and 1989. It was usually a knock-out series although other formats were tried between 1979 and 1982. Sponsorship changed over the years and it was also variously named the Tooth Cup, KB Cup, National Panasonic Cup and Panasonic Cup. Given the intensity of the regular competition and the State of Origin series, it's hard to imagine players these days also participating in a mid-week series.