‘I hated Queensland and I still do’: Bradman Best lights Origin fuse six years after his famous try

Bradman Best scored one of the greatest tries in junior Origin history. Now he’s ready to rip in against a Queensland team he’s always hated.

Bradman Best will make his NSW debut six years after he scored a famous try for the Blues in the under-16s Origin game.

Bradman Best grew up wanting to fight the kids at school who supported Queensland and got to celebrate State of Origin series wins every year, but he gets to inspire the next generation of kids after he was picked to make his NSW debut.

The 21-year-old hasn’t seen too many Blues victories after he had to watch the Maroons win eight series in a row, which is why he rates the 2014 triumph as his favourite Origin moment,

It’s also why he can’t stand anyone north of the border.

Bradman Best is one of seven new faces for the Blues. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images

“I hate them,” he said.

“You go to school and you want to have a punch on with the boys who go for Queensland.

“I hated Queensland and I still do.”

The Knights centre said it was a “dream come true” to make his Blues debut, but he already has fond memories of representing his state after he scored one of the most famous tries that still gets replayed these days.

Best was playing for the NSW under-16s side at Suncorp Stadium in 2017 when the scores were locked at 16-all with under two minutes to go.

Josh Schuster had earlier set up a try with a no-look pass but it looked like the Maroons would steal another late victory, only for a long-range field goal to land short.

Best scored a try six years ago that is still being celebrated today.

The ball stayed in the in-goal and was picked up by Albert Hopoate who ran to his right, beat a few defenders and passed to Best, who raced away to win the game.

Brad Fittler was the coach that night, so it’s fitting he was the one to hand Best his debut for next Wednesday’s game which will be six years to the day since that famous try.

“Coming through the juniors, Freddy was my coach. It’s pretty special that he’s still my coach and he’s given me this opportunity,” he said.

“You always dream of it because it’s the pinnacle of rugby league and now I get to live out my dream.

“It was the best feeling (scoring that try). We did it at Suncorp in enemy territory. That was the best feeling. Even when we scored the try, all the boys got around us. When we beat them it was such a great feeling.”

Best is one of seven fresh faces in the squad after the Blues lost the series in Brisbane, with the young gun coming in for the injured Tom Trbojevic.

He wasn’t on everyone’s radar but burst into contention on the back of three tries in Newcastle’s 66-0 win over the Bulldogs, although Fittler says he was always on his radar.

Best was a shock selection but rocketed into contention on the back of his three tries against Canterbury. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

“I’ve been coaching him since he was 16 and he’s always been a star coming through,” the coach said of Best, who has scored eight tries this season.

“Whether it’s been injury or form – I don’t think the Knights have had much success over the past couple of years – I’ve always wanted to see how he’d go at the next level.

“He’s someone I always thought would end up being a State of Origin player, and now he gets that opportunity.”