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To finish off this greatest ever Origin team series, it is time to name the best-ever team – regardless of state – to play State of Origin since 1980.
Just in case you need a recap, I named a greatest ever NSW team, a greatest ever Queensland team, and then compared the two to see which would win.
So who makes the side? Let’s find out.
Fullback – Tim Brasher versus Darren Lockyer
Darren Lockyer revolutionised the fullback position in modern rugby league and was also one of the best ever captains to play for Queensland, there is no way you can go past him. Plus, Brasher didn’t have the attacking angle Lockyer had.
Wingers – Andrew Ettingshausen versus Rod Wishart versus Wendell Sailor versus Dale Shearer
The first wing spot goes to Wendell, because in his prime he was the best winger in the world and if he hadn’t gone to rugby union he would have ended up playing a lot more games for the Maroons. The other spot goes to Andrew Ettingshausen because of his natural ability.
Shearer and Wishart were good, but they were never in the same class as Ettingshausen and Sailor if all players were to be judged in their prime.
Centres – Ryan Girdler versus Matt Cooper versus Mal Meninga versus Greg Inglis
How can you go past Meninga and Inglis? They have size, speed, creativity, just about everything a footy player could want in terms of honours and accolades within the game, and Inglis holds the State of Origin try scoring record.
Five-eighth – Brad Fittler versus Wally Lewis
Lewis is in another class to any five-eighthh who has ever played rugby league and therefore gets the spot, even though Fittler was a very good player for the Blues for a prolonged period of time.
Halfback – Andrew Johns versus Allan Langer
Both of these halfbacks are brilliant, having led teams to winning games at club, state and national level. Both Johns and Langer have also captained their state in the Origin arena, however Johns the eighth immortal narrowly gets the spot over Langer because of the little bit more talent he possessed.
Front rowers – Glen Lazarus versus Paul Harragon versus Shane Webcke versus Petero Civoniceva
Webcke is the first front rower picked for the team. One of Lazarus or Harragon has to be in the side as well, which means unfortunately Civoniceva misses out by a whisker.
I am giving the spot to Harragon due to the fact he has played the most Origin games of a forward, never was overlooked for selection, and was a scary sight when running the footy.
Hookers – Cameron Smith versus Danny Buderus
I don’t think this requires any debate. Cameron Smith is the hooker.
Second rowers – Paul Sironen versus Steve Menzies versus Gorden Tallis versus Sam Thaiday
Gorden Tallis gets the first spot as he is clearly the best second rower listed out of the four and captained his state on multiple occasions.
The other spot comes down to the two New South Wales second rowers. Menzies or Sironen? Both were great no matter what game they were playing in however I am giving the spot to Menzies. He just had a bit more talent than Sironen and played a few more games.
Lock – Wayne Pearce versus Bob Lindner
I am giving the spot to Lindner due to the fact he played more Origin games and had far more talent than Pearce.
Interchange bench
The bench will feature one utility backline player and three hard-hitting forwards.
The backline utility player comes down to Brad Fittler versus Allan Langer and for obvious reasons the spot goes to Alf.
The three forward spots go to Danny Buderus, Glen Lazarus and Petero Civoniceva. Buderus has to be there because of the fact he is the Blues most successful captain and holds the record for most consecutive Origin matches ever played. Lazarus and Civoniceva, the other two on the bench, I judge to be of greater talent and therefore value to the side than Wayne Pearce, Paul Sironen and Sam Thaiday.
The greatest ever Origin team
1. Darren Lockyer (Queensland)
2. Wendell Sailor (Queensland)
3. Mal Meninga (Queensland)
4. Greg Inglis (Queensland)
5. Andrew Ettingshausen (New South Wales)
6. Wally Lewis (Queensland)
7. Andrew Johns (New South Wales)
8. Shane Webcke (Queensland)
9. Cameron Smith (Queensland)
10. Paul Harragon (New South Wales)
11. Gorden Tallis (Queensland)
12. Steve Menzies (New South Wales)
13. Bob Lindner (Queensland)
14. Allan Langer (Queensland)
15. Danny Buderus (New South Wales)
16. Glenn Lazarus (New South Wales)
17. Petero Civoneciva (Queensland)
Coach: Arthur Beetson (Queensland)
Analysis
In the article in this series about who would win between the best two teams, I gave it to Queensland in a close game. This team re-confirms my analysis.
There are only 6 Blues players out of 17. While the Blues wouldn’t be far off the mark, the Maroons have probably had a few more superstars over the years.
Captain
The greatest ever Blues captain was Buderus and Queensland’s was Lockyer, so this team has to be captained by Lockyer.
Coach
Forget for a minute that he is actually playing in this team, the best coach in Origin history, statistically speaking, is Mal Meninga. As coach he has won eight straight series.
Yet I read a comment on The Roar a couple of days ago that said “My Grandma could coach that lot, Mal doesn’t know how to spell coach”. Obviously he has some talent to be able to fuse the group together, but I don’t think he is in the same class as some who have coached Origin.
Other coaches who must be considered are Phil Gould, Wayne Bennett and the great Arthur Beetson. Gould won 14 games from 24 (58 per cent), Bennet won 11 from 22 (50 per cent) and Beetson won 11 from 16 (69 per cent).
Based on that, Beetson must be the coach.