Herb Steinohrt
A Giant of Australian rugby league
Born Pittsworth, 1899. Died Toowoomba, 1985
National Rugby league Hall of Fame
Queensland Sports hall of Fame 2009 (Original Inductee)
PITTSWORTH-born HERB STEINOHRT was a giant of Australian rugby league whose name remains one of the most revered in the game's history.
Herb - affectionately known as "Steiny" - was a prop and second-rower for Toowoomba Valleys club from 1922-33 who went on to represent Queensland 51 times and play 31 matches for Australia, including nine Tests.
He was renowned as a "raw-boned" hard man with great strength but was regarded as a "gentleman" off the field.
Herb was of German descent and moved to Toowoomba in 1922.
He represented the city 125 times and was a member of the champion "Galloping Clydesdales" of the 1920s and 1930s who overpowered all comers.
Queensland also dominated New South Wales during the 1920s and Herb was an "automatic" Australian selection for three straight Test series in 1928, 1929-30 and 1932.
He led Australia in all three Tests against England in 1932.
Herb continued working for rugby league in retirement as an administrator and coached up until his 75th year.
Legendary Toowoomba player and coach Duncan Thompson described Herb as a player who "had strength and stamina and a football brain to go with it."
Herb was also a champion Toowoomba cricketer whose bowling record stood for almost 100 years.
More Herb Steinohort career highlights:-
In 1933 Herb was part of a Queensland squad that included the entire Toowoomba representative team.
In 1992 he was rated number 52 in Rugby League Week's Top 100 Players.
As part of the ARL's Centenary Year celebrations, Herb in 2008 was named one of Australia's greatest 100 players (1908-2007).
The same year he was chosen in the QRL Team of the Century.
Also in 2008, Herb was named in the front row of the Toowoomba and South West Team of the Century.
The Toowoomba Valleys rugby league ground is named in his honour.
Herb represented Queensland Country cricket team against England in 1928.
He was the subject of a 1975 biography by Jim Sweeney titled "The Gentle Clydesdale".
Herb was appointed MBE in 1976.