He belted Australia’s captain in a French supermarket without even knowing who he was - and then smashed him on the way to World Cup glory.
Friday marks 50 years to the day since rugged forward Brian Lockwood helped Great Britain claim the trophy in Lyon. A 10-10 draw against the revered Kangaroos - after beating them, hosts France and New Zealand in the group stages - did the job as the iconic Clive Sullivan guided them home. But no side from these shores has claimed the World Cup since that historic moment, something Shaun Wane’s England hope to correct in the coming days.
Seven of the 10 surviving members of the 1972 squad, including ex-Castleford second-row Lockwood, will be guest of honours at Friday's Elland Road semi-final between Australia and New Zealand. Lockwood, 76, recalled: “It was a great time and I’m really proud of what we achieved. But I did get into a bit of trouble beforehand in France. My wife Anne, who’s my rock and I love to bits, wanted some perfume.
“I headed to this supermarket and bumped into this chap. He just turned around and called me Pommie this and Pommie that with a few swear words thrown in. I apologised. But he carried on. I ended up knocking seven bells out of him. My team-mates Paul Charlton and Chris Hesketh dragged me off him and asked me if I knew who it was? He’d got this Australian tracksuit on but I didn’t have a clue.
“I’d not played against Australia before. It was Graeme Langlands, their captain! When we did play them, I tackled him, got into him again and said ‘can you remember me?’ He left with a few stitches that day, too. I can’t believe I was doing stuff like that.”
Times have certainly changed since but one thing that hasn’t is England’s long wait for success. Wane invited Lockwood to the team hotel to present the players their jerseys before the group win over France. As they look to finally achieve glory, starting with Saturday's semi against Samoa, he reminded them how he initially felt out of his depth in 1972. Lockwood, Lance Todd Trophy winner in Hull KR’s 1980 Wembley triumph, recalled: “When we walked out on the field, I couldn’t believe how big the Aussies were. Their scrum-half was bigger than me. I did think I was out of my comfort zone.
“But the first tackle I made I realised they’re not that hard and I got right into it. When Shaun asked me in, I basically told the players that - and don’t be scared of anything. They’re as good as anyone in this World Cup. And I want them to win. I watched them the other week and I do think they’re favourites now. After seeing Australia and New Zealand play, I feel we've a great chance. Shaun’s got them playing the way he wants and above what I expected. There’s some good young kids, too, and I was amazed at just how big they all are. I wouldn’t want Tom Burgess running at me two or three times a game...”
