Why the Blues want to win for New South Wales legend Tommy Raudonikis

The Blues have pledged to lift in Origin I for ailing New South Wales legend Tommy Raudonikis with Latrell Mitchell revealing the impact the former halfback has had on the team.

When NSW run onto Suncorp Stadium for Origin I against Queensland on Wednesday night, the team’s thoughts will be with one of the bravest Blues to don a boot.

Legendary Wests and Newtown halfback Tommy Raudonikis will go down in rugby league history has one of the game’s toughest players.

But it is Raudonikis’s courageous battle with neck, testicular and throat cancer that has inspired the Blues to honour the knockabout former No.7 with a standout performance on Origin’s grandest stage.

Tommy’s determination to defeat cancer three times has a personal connection for star NSW centre Latrell Mitchell.

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Mitchell is one of the Blues stars. Picture by Phil Hillyard.

Mitchell’s aunties have battled and beaten breast cancer, so he has an understanding and appreciation for the challenges Raudonikis has experienced in recent years.

“It was a sad and hard time but my aunties were strong enough to get through it just like Tommy,” Mitchell said.

“You have to get through it together as a family. I’ve also had diabetes and heart disease run through the family but you can overcome anything.

“Tommy is proof and I wish him on the best – he is a legend.”

Mitchell, 21, wasn’t old enough to watch Raudonikis play but his admiration for the ex-NSW coach is through the roof.

Matty, Kenty and Finchy dissect both Origin teams and a game looming as a classic, recount the best of Tommy Raudonikis and Matty recalls Mitchell Pearce’s sleepover at the Johns household.

The Roosters speedster particularly adores Tommy’s passionate dislike for all things north of the border.

“He hates Queensland – I love it,” he grinned.

“Tommy came and had a yarn with us last year and it really pepped us up and we went out and did it for the old fella.

“Tommy told us about his Origin stories and that is what we want to listen to.

“He put a fire in a belly, so hopefully we can win for him next week.”

Blues halfback Nathan Cleary has been equally inspired by Raudonikis’s inspirational fight with cancer.

Cleary said the loveable former half will be at the forefront of the players’ minds when they battle the Maroons.

Raudonikis presented jerseys to the Blues side before Game III last year.

“If Tommy can beat cancer three times, then we can beat Queensland,” Cleary said.

“He is a Blues legend and he has done some great things for the game.

“He is a fighter to beat cancer so many times and come out the other side.

“It is good inspiration for us to do that in the game.”

Cleary hasn’t been directly affected by cancer but he knows plenty of friends that have been impacted.

“It is a horrible thing and it takes a lot of people’s lives but a few family friends have gone through it all and come out the other side, which is good,” he said.

“It is a shame with Tommy but he is an absolute fighter and I wish him all the best.”

Blues captain Boyd Cordner also knows how heartbreaking cancer can be.

Cordner lost his mother to breast cancer when he was only three, so he can relate to Raudonikis’s plight.

“What Tommy has been through goes to show the man’s character and what he is all about as a person,” Cordner said.

“Having cancer three times and beating it plus a quadruple bypass is pretty amazing.

“He loves the Blues and is really passionate about this state.

“To see him still looking pretty healthy and positive is inspirational.”