NSW skipper Boyd Cordner reveals his late mother Lanai was his last thought when leaving the field
NSW captain Boyd Cordner’s eyes are red and welling with tears.It’s close to midnight on Sunday and his hands are still shaking from the reality that finally, Queensland’s reign is over.
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NSW captain Boyd Cordner’s eyes are red and welling with tears.
It’s close to midnight on Sunday and his hands are still shaking from the reality that finally, Queensland’s reign is over.
Still wearing his Blues jersey, Cordner is standing inside the NSW dressing room in the bowels of ANZ Stadium, with ice bags strapped to his knee and calf.
His head is still ringing from crashing it into the hip of Maroons forward Dylan Napa, five minutes before history was made.
Such was the severity of the collision, Cordner originally asked the Blues trainers why had he been sin-binned.
Yet amid the exhaustion and joy from Origin series success and man-of-the-match honours, Cordner shows why he’s a born leader, held together by intense passion, grit and an ache in his heart, that powered him towards victory on Sunday night.
With his ever-present father Chris holding a blue can of Tooheys for himself in one hand, and one for his son in the other, Cordner turns and says: “My mum, she was the last person I thought of when I was out on the field.
“Before I play I always think of her. I wish she was here.
“I know she would be proud of me.’’
Just to the side, Chris nods knowingly.
Cordner and his brother Dane lost their mother Lanai to breast cancer in 1997.
The Blues captain was four.
Juggling work as a plumber, Chris raised his two boys on rugby league and with the support of the Taree and Old Bar Communities.
“I love you Dad — that’s what Boyd wrote in a text message to me before the game,’’ Chris said.
“I text him before and after every game. I told him to leave nothing behind, rip in and that ‘I love you son’.
“To see this win, it’s overwhelming.
“He’s had six campaigns and we haven’t been all that successful.
“He’s pretty self-driven.
“That’s the calibre of the person he is.
“The more you get to know him, the more you understand who he is. He’s amazing.’’
Cordner was immense as captain on Sunday night.
Similar to his inspirational performance in Origin I at the MCG, Cordner was the only NSW forward to run for more than 100 metres in game two.
“It doesn’t surprise me, that’s his normal game. That’s his bread and butter, he just plays like that on a Saturday or Sunday as well,’’ Chris said.
Which is why Cordner admits Phil Gould’s call that he should be overlooked prior to Origin I, stung.
But still, he never doubted he could respond by brining the shield back to NSW.
“It did hurt because of how much this (pointing to his jersey) means to me,’’ Cordner said.
“Obviously the stature of Gus and what he has done for NSW is huge, but I was always comfortable within myself and my ability.
“The way I play, I knew that I could lead these boys well again, if I got that opportunity.
“I was really grateful for Freddy showing faith in me.
“I just wanted to work hard for him and get it done.
“It’s the best-ever feeling.
“It’s the one thing that’s been driving me and it’s been bugging me.
“I’ve wanted this so bad and the feeling and emotion now is relief and happiness.
“I haven’t had the best run in the origin arena with success, but my passion for this jersey and what this jersey means to me, I can’t really explain.
“I get so emotional when I talk about NSW and this jumper, I just wanted this so bad.
“Being around the boys in camp, they did too.’’
Declaring he “would’ve scored for sure” after being taken out by Queensland’s Ben Hunt, which led to the Blues being awarded a penalty try prior to halftime, Cordner said it was imperative he and his teammates completed the series by beating Queensland 3-0 nil.
“We’ve started this journey together and we’ve gone through a lot,’’ Cordner said.
“The challenge is to go 3-0 nil. There’s no doubt that we’ll want to work hard and do that.
“We’re in a good position to do it.
“I can’t wait to get back into camp and to sit down and work for that.
“But first, I’ll have a beer with Dad.’’