State of Origin 2018: NSW enforcer Jack De Belin reveals his history as a State of Origin choirboy
NSW fans are looking forward to Blues enforcer Jack De Belin giving Queensland some of his trademark physicality to next week. But his first Origin experience was much more wholesome.
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FROM hitting the high notes to hammering the Maroons.
If it wasn’t Origin, when stories of great toil and destiny are penned, we’d be accused of making this story up.
Even NSW enforcer Jack De Belin recognises his unorthodox first dose of state hatred 10-years ago is worth telling.
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“There is a story behind it,’’ De Belin smiled.
Yes, there is.
The first State of Origin match De Belin ever attended wasn’t as a fan, with his friends or even one of those magical father-son moments cheering on the Blues.
No, it was in 2008, as a Year 12 student, with the St Gregory’s Campbelltown school choir.
Dressed in school issue maroon blazer, grey trousers, blue-collared short and tie, De Belin’s tall 17-year-old frame is seen in the back row of this photo.
It was the highly-regarded choir from St Gregory’s — a renowned rugby league nursery which has produced more than 100 NRL players — which was chosen to sing prior to kick-off in Origin I 2008 at ANZ Stadium.
“We sang ‘You Raise Me Up’,’’ De Belin said. “And then we sang the national anthem.’’
It was school protocol that every student had to be part of the choir.
Alongside De Belin were fellow boarding students and future NRL players Alex McKinnon, Jack Stockwell and Matt Groat.
“That was my first Origin,’’ De Belin recalled, moments after being chosen as one of 11 debutants by Brad Fittler on Monday.
Asked if he felt he could ever hold a tune, De Belin said: “I don’t actually, but I remember we had to do auditions to do it.’’
De Belin and his classmates were able to watch Craig Bellamy’s NSW side win game one of the 2008 series, before ultimately losing 2-1 to Queensland.
“We had pretty decent seats,’’ De Belin said.
“I remember both (the singing and the game) and I remember (NSW winger) Anthony Quinn scored a try that game.
“That was my first taste of Origin.’’
De Belin’s irresistible form with St George-Illawarra made him impossible to leave out. So much so that he beat Kangaroos international Jake Trbojevic to the lock position.
“Anyone knows that has ever played with me or trained with me knows that I’m definitely suited to [Origin],’’ De Belin said.
“It was just about letting the selectors see that.
“This year I’ve stepped it up a little bit and certain aspects of my game are suited for Origin being such a physical game.’’