Emotions flowed at Suncorp Stadium as members of Queensland’s last non-Origin side to beat NSW 54 years ago stood side by side with coach Mal Meninga’s current stars.
Meninga sprung a surprise on 450 guests at Monday night’s Origin dinner as members of the victorious 1959 Queensland series were introduced on stage along with his players to contest this year’s interstate series.
Members of the `59 team swapped commemorative jerseys with Meninga’s current crop after the Maroons squad was read out.
“1959 was a pretty significant year when you talk about Queensland rugby league,” said Meninga, clearly moved by the occasion.
“It was the last year a Queensland representative team beat New South Wales in a series prior to Origin, so that’s a long time.”
It was a special moment as players from the `59 Maroons – including Barry Muir, the man who dubbed the Blues “cockroaches” – mingled with the players who’ll attempt to secure an eighth straight series win under Meninga’s leadership.
The `59 side was captained by Toowoomba’s Bobby Banks and coached by South Sydney Immortal Clive Churchill.
Ranked massive underdogs, they took the first game of the annual interstate series 17-15 at Brisbane’s Exhibition Ground before NSW hit back 24-14 in the second game at Lang Park.
In those days the interstate series was decided over four games, with Queensland going on to win the last two games 23-11 and 18-14 to clinch a memorable series 3-1.
Despite their commanding 3-1 result and their clear dominance, Queensland managed to get just seven players in the 26-man Kangaroos touring squad which further fuelled the interstate rivalry.
Legendry Ipswich hooker and noted hard man Noel Kelly, named in Queensland’s team of the century, laid the platform for the series upset in a pack that bristled with toughness.
Former Queensland selector Dud Beattie, unassuming back-rower Elton Rasmussen, who played 18 Tests for Australia and won five grand finals with the Dragons, rugged second-rower Henry Holloway and Ipswich legend Garry Parcel were part of an uncompromising pack.
Meninga said State of Origin only started because the state’s best players were lured across the border by cashed-up NSW clubs and ended up playing for NSW against Queensland.
“As Queenslanders it’s important we acknowledge our past, and in doing that we realise that even though we have won seven in a row in recent times, we are still way behind NSW and their supremacy,” he said.
“When you look deeper into our history prior to Origin you quickly discover that NSW dominated interstate footy for many, many years and we’ve just had patches of success along the way.
“We don’t want to go thinking ‘it is NSW’s time’ …. we want to make sure we stay focused, work hard and keep on preparing so every time we play for Queensland we remember their dominance.”