State of Origin: Turbo Tom and Blues honour Tom Raudonikis with huge win
NSW wanted to do it for the late Tommy Raudonikis. Blues star Tommy Trbojevic ensured they did.
NSW wanted to do it for the late Tommy Raudonikis. Blues superstar Tommy Trbojevic ensured they did.
Raudonikis was the larrikin first captain of the NSW State of Origin side. A trucker-mouthed, beer-swilling, chain-smoking coach in his later years, a wildly passionate figure who started the infamous cattledog call that signalled his desire for the biff against the Queenslanders he openly “hated”.
Fighting was never on the cards in this squeaky clean new age of league but after the Blues spent time in the Townsville locker room to rev themselves up with tales of the passion and prowess of Raudonikis, who passed away in April, coach Brad Fittler’s red-hot side did him proud on Wednesday night, winning 50-6.
Halfback Nathan Cleary had blood pouring down his face. Raudonikis would have licked his lips at that. The first half ended in push and shove. Raudonikis would have approved of that, too.
The Blues had a dream night despite a 27,000-strong crowd roaring for the Maroons in the first Origin clash in north Queensland. What an ambush, highlighted by an absolute masterclass from “Turbo” Trbojevic, who scored three tries. He made effortless inroads as if he was back in the Under 12s on Sydney’s northern beaches.
Rookie Blues winger Brian To’o scored an emotional double. To’o has dedicated his league career to his little sister Dannielle, who passed away at the age of eight. He was nine when she died.
He said before the game that Dannielle would be out there with him, and they had a fine old time together.
The Blues take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series to Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on June 27.
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