Blues heroes from 1980 to form emotional guard of honour for NSW at decider

NSW’s courageous State of Origin pioneers will welcome the current generation of Blues heroes onto the field in Origin III, hoping to inspire a courageous series victory.

NSW’s first State of Origin team in 1980 (L-R back row): Robert Stone, Graeme Wynn, Bob Cooper, Greg Brentnall, Mick Cronin, Graham Eadie.
(Middle row) Ted Glossop (coach), Jim Leis, Gary Hambly, Steve Rogers, Chris Anderson and Alf Richards (trainer)
(Front row): Terry Parker (manager), Steve Edge, Craig Young, Tommy Raudonikis (C), Alan Thompson, Steve Martin and John Fleming (manager).

NSW’s courageous State of Origin pioneers will welcome the current generation of Blues heroes onto Accor Stadium as they hope to inspire a courageous series victory.

Ten NSW players from the inaugural Origin match played 45 years ago will form a stirring guard of honour for Laurie Daley’s Blues before Wednesday night’s blockbuster.

They are NSW’s guardian angels.

The brainchild of Maroons legend Wally Lewis, NSW’s 10 players will be joined by seven stars from Queensland to recognise the 1980 originals.

All 17 players, from the maiden Origin match, will inspire their state’s finest players as both teams enter the Sydney cauldron.

The first-ever Origin game was played at Lang Park on July 8, 1980 with Queensland famously winning 20-10 before a rabid Lang Park crowd.

Fights broke out during the match.

The NSW players attending on Wednesday night will be Graham Eadie, Chris Anderson, Mick Cronin, Greg Brentnall, Alan Thompson, Jim Leis, Graeme Wynn, Craig Young, Steve Edge and Steve Martin.

“It was a historic game back in 1980,” said Young. “No one knew at that point what State of Origin would develop into. Everyone was hoping, and they were right. It is an honour to be recognised and to catch-up with my ex-teammates. Without the people that dug the well, rugby league wouldn’t be the game it is today.”

The Queensland contingent at Accor Stadium will include Lewis, Kerry Boustead, Allan Smith, Rod Reddy, John Lang, Rod Morris and Norm Carr.

The Telegraph front page the day after the match.

Cronin recalled that first-ever Origin game and the doubts which surrounded the concept’s future.

“It will be nice catching up with blokes I haven’t seen for years – not too many get to Gerringong,” said Cronin, who still lives on the south coast.

“State of Origin is a great concept and, outside of grand finals, it’s the biggest thing in the game. Everyone talks about Origin these days, even people who don’t play rugby league. It’s been great for the game.

“The incentive for the winning side back then (in 1980) was $5000 which was split among the players. That was for the winning side, the losing side lost two days’ pay.

“We were going into the unknown back then, no-one knew whether it was going to takeoff, but it wasn’t fun getting beaten that night.

“The old interstate series was being played at Leichhardt Oval – I don’t know how many people were there but I don’t think the players had much fun – and everyone realised something had to be done. It was a different game back then.”

Tommy Raudonikis and Greg Oliphant share a beer after the first Origin game in 1980.

Four NSW originals – Tom Raudonikis, Robert Stone, Steve Rogers and Bob Cooper – have passed away.

Wednesday night’s sellout crowd could be become the biggest since 2013 when 83, 813 people attended a Sydney decider.

“We’re expecting the biggest Origin crowd since the installation of the Great Southern Screen, with well over 80,0000 fans on track for the deciding match of the series,” said Venues NSW chairman, David Gallop.

“The match will cap a massive few days for sport in Sydney and by kick-off, more than 200,000 people will have attended either Origin, NRL, the Waratahs-Lions match or AFL at the SCG, Allianz and Accor stadiums since last Saturday.”

The massive crowd is expected to gorge on 11,000 pies, 60,000 waters and soft drinks, 1000 pizza slices, 3000 hot dogs, 1.5 tonne of chicken, six tonne of hot chips and 20,000 litres of beer.

Caterers and staff have worked 5000 hours to prepare kitchens and bars throughout the stadium. Around 120 chefs and 1700 catering staff are working on Wednesday night.