Few people knew former Queensland Rugby League boss Ross Livermore’s fierce negotiating skills better than his long-time NSW counterpart Geoff Carr.
Carr, who was chief executive of both the NSW and the Australian Rugby Leagues, was on the end of Livermore’s almost daily telephone calls as he did his best to make sure Queensland’s Origin team was never dudded.
Carr and former ARL chairman and Manly stalwart Ken Arthurson were among almost 500 mourners – including a who’s who of the rugby league world – saying farewell to Queensland’s best administrator at Suncorp Stadium on Friday morning.
The 68-year-old father of two who died suddenly on Tuesday.
“Everyone knew Ross’s passion for Queensland, there were times when we spoke nearly every day about Origin,” recalled Carr.
“You always knew you were in a battle with Ross, but at the end of the day he was always fair.
“He was always about what was in the best interests of rugby league and to him, whatever was best for Queensland was best for rugby league.”
Nobody knew the rules better than Livermore, according to Carr.
“If there was a loophole, Ross would use it and get an advantage for Queensland,” he said.
“To him, that was always fair.
“He got around us one year when Petero Civoniceva was supposed to have been suspended, but somehow according to Ross he wasn’t, and it turned out to be within the rules.”
Livermore’s son Nicholas spoke emotionally and proudly about his father’s love of rugby league.
He delivered his eulogy at the northern end of the famous Brisbane ground with a photo of his father with his arms raised in triumph.
It was on a small table alongside a single stubbie of beer with his face on the label.
When Livermore stepped down in 2011 after 31 years, brewers Lion Nathan released a special limited edition of three cartons in his honour.
He promised Nicholas he would drink every drop – but he left one behind.
“It’s a tough day … but it’s a good day,” Nicholas told the gathering as he spoke warmly of some of the sacrifices his family made.
“Dad committed his life to the QRL and there were sacrifices for that,” he said.
“Behind every great man is a great woman and that is the case here.
“Ross only did what he could for rugby league because mum (Meralda) was standing behind him the whole time.
“You could always tell when they’d had a blow-up due to the stress, because dad would come dressed in a shirt and pants that didn’t match and the shirt wasn’t quite ironed.”
Nicholas described his dad as a man of integrity.
“He did put his work ahead of his family, but he was a provider and someone you could always count on,” he said.
“He was man of his word and a good bloke.”
Camped in the Suncorp stands were a collection of former Queensland greats, including Wally Lewis, Allan Langer, the Walters brothers (Steve, Kerrod and Kevin), along with recently retired Maroons captain Darren Lockyer.
Also with them was the man Livermore trusted more than any to coach Queensland Origin teams, Wayne Bennett.
Livermore is survived by his wife Meralda, 62, daughter Helen, 35, son Nicholas, 32, and grandchildren Amelie, three, and one year-old Aubrey.