Part two: NSW Blues Origin one hit wonders
In the final installation of a two-part series, James Phelps looks at the men who pulled on the NSW Origin jersey on just one occasion in the State of Origin arena.
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PART ONE: NSW Blues players with one cap
JAIL OR NRL? Decision that saved NSW rookie
From the legendary Tommy Raudonikis, to Newcastle grand final hero Darren Albert, there’s been a number of rugby league stars to don the NSW Blues Origin jersey just once.
In the final installation of a two-part series, we look at the players called upon for NSW for a single appearance.
Mark Sargent (Newcastle Knights)
Game III, 1990
Few came tougher than Sargent. After cutting his teeth with the “Dogs of War” in the 80s, Sargent made the switch to Newcastle to become a Knights legend. He was picked by the Blues after winning the Rothman’s Medal in 1989.
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Steve Carter (Penrith Panthers)
Game II, 1992
A one-club man who played 244 games for the Panthers, Carter was a popular pick on the bench in the Blues’ 5-4 loss to the Maroons. He was overlooked for the utility spot with coach Phil Gould picking Tim Brasher for the decider.
Scott Gourley (St George Dragons)
Game III, 1993
The son of an Irish rugby union international, towering back-row forward Gourley also played rugby before making the switch to play for the Dragons. The move paid off in the sixth year of his career when he was made a Blue. Gourley replaced Jason Croker on the bench in a dead-rubber defeat.
Craig Hancock (Manly Sea Eagles)
Game I, 1995
The lesser-name Manly winger was another surprise selection, although he was dropped along with another eight players following a 2-0 loss.
Brett Rodwell (Illawarra Steelers)
Game II, 1995
One of eight changes coach Phil Gould made following NSW’s 2-0 first up loss. The Illawarra centre scored a try but was overlooked for a bench spot in Game III as Gould axed 11 players after another defeat.
John Hopoate (Manly Sea Eagles)
Game II, 1995
One of rugby league’s most controversial players, Hopoate’s selection was reward for a scorching start to the season where he scored 11 tries in 11 matches. Hopoate was also selected to play in Game III but had to withdraw because of injury.
David Hall (North Sydney Bears)
Game III, 1995
The North Sydney veteran replaced John Hopoate on the wing. Hall could do nothing to prevent a whitewash with Queensland winning 24-16.
Michael Buettner (North Sydney Bears)
Game III, 1997
A club-level champion who played 267 top-grade games, Buettner’s sole appearance came off the bench.
Tony Butterfield (Newcastle Knights)
Game III, 1998
A no-nonsense prop from Penrith went on to become a famous Knight and was in the twilight of his career when he was picked to play for NSW. Debuting in 1986 with the Panthers, Butterfield replaced Knights teammate Paul Harragon for his Origin debut in a 19-4 loss.
Darren Albert (Newcastle Knights)
Game I, 1999
Regarded as the fastest man in rugby league, Albert’s Origin debut came two years after scoring THAT try that secured the Knights the ARL premiership. Albert failed to impress in NSW’s 9-8 loss and fellow Knight Adam McDougall replaced him for the rest of the series.
David Peachey (Cronulla Sharks)
Game I, 2000
Peachey, with 257 first-grade games to his credit, was considered extremely unlucky to have played just one Origin game. After scoring a try in the Blues’ 20-16 win, Peachey was replaced by Tim Brasher and never picked again.
Ryan O’Hara (Canberra Raiders)
Game I, 2004
The 2001 rookie of the year was tipped for stellar Origin career. But a succession of shocking injuries left him in a fight just to make it onto the football field.
Hazem El Masri (Canterbury Bulldogs)
Game III, 2007
The Lebanese born super boot finally realised his Origin dream after being constantly overlooked, despite becoming the game’s highest ever point scorer. El Masri scored 10 of the Blues’ 18 points with a try and three goals to lead NSW to victory.
Jarrod Mullen (Newcastle Knights)
Game I, 2007
The 20-year-old halfback was supposed to be the next Andrew Johns and was thrust into the Origin cauldron after just nine games as a starting half with the Knights. But injury, form and then off-field problems cost him his NSW career.
Steve Turner (Canterbury Bulldogs)
Game II, 2008
A surprise call-up to replace suspended winger Jarryd Hayne, Turner had a tough night with Greg Inglis running riot as Queensland thrashed NSW 30-0.
Terry Campese (Canberra Raiders)
Game I, 2009
Another failed halves selection. Campese was dropped for veteran Trent Barrett following the 28-18 loss.
Jamal Idris (Canterbury Bulldogs)
Game I, 2010
Most thought it would be the start of a great NSW career. It wasn’t. Idris vanished from the Origin scene — and later rugby league altogether — after just one game. A talent never fully realised, the giant scored a try in the 28-24 loss to Queensland after coming off the bench to replace Matt Cooper in the centres.
Michael Gordon (Penrith Panthers)
Game III, 2010
“Flash’’ got his Origin shot when Ricky Stuart put him on the wing and he kicked three in the Blues’ 23-18 loss. He was overlooked for Brett Morris, Akuila Uate and Josh Dugan the following year.
Dean Young (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Game I, 2011
Selected as 18th man in 2006, Young finally got to follow in the footsteps of his famous father Craig when he was selected ahead of Michael Ennis to start at hooker. A knee injury cost him his spot for the rest of the series before ultimately ending his career.
Keith Galloway (Wests Tigers)
Game III, 2011
Called on by coach Ricky Stuart to add some mongrel to the NSW pack, except he was kept on the bench until late in the second half and had little impact as Queensland blitzed the Blues.
Jamie Buhrer (Manly Sea Eagles)
Game I, 2012
A no-name member of a star-studded Sea Eagles pack when he was selected for his only NSW appearance during Manly great Bob Fulton’s time as a selector.
Nathan Merritt (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Game II, 2013
Enigmatic but freakishly fast and talented, critics questioned Merritt’s size and he was terrorised by his South Sydney teammate Greg Inglis in a 26-6 hiding.
Tariq Sims (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Game III, 2018
Part of the Blues’ squad last year, Sims was awarded a Blues cap as a starter in the dead rubber. The back-rower was overlooked for the extended squad this year in favour of Victor Radley and Ryan Matterson.
Matt Prior (Cronulla Sharks)
Game II, 2018
The veteran’s tireless club efforts were rewarded when he replaced the injured Reagan Campbell-Gillard for NSW’s series clinching win. He wasn’t even mentioned as a contender this year.
Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Penrith Panthers)
Game I, 2018
The 25-year-old Origin and Test prop will hope to remove his name from this list soon. He’s had a stint in reserve grade this year as he paid the price for Penrith’s horror season start.
Originally published as Part two: NSW Blues Origin one hit wonders
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