Can you believe that New South Wales won only two State of Origin series in the 1980s?
Sure Queensland were red hot, but the Blues fielded all-star-level teams up there, yet wins were few and far between. Super coach Jack Gibson even gave coaching NSW a shot and found out how hard it was.
For nostalgia’s sake I wanted to put together a New Wouth Wales side that could scare Queensland before they even put on a boot. So before the current series is over let’s take a walk down memory lane and have a discussion.
1. Garry Jack
An all-time great fullback, I’ve lost count of how many times he beat the first tackle. When a Queenslander makes a break, you want him there.
2. Eric ‘Guru’ Grothe
The most intimidating winger in the history of the game, his semi-final try against Canterbury is still mentioned by Ray Warren on NRL telecasts, and his strength and power is the reason. It still staggers me that he didn’t represent Australia post-1984.
3. Chris Mortimer
A centre with incredible defence. He’s the type of player who would pull out pins in his hand to play. He’s one of the main reasons New South Wales actually did win two series in the 1980s.
4. Michael O’Connor
He was a great centre whose pace, brilliance and goal kicking were a worry to the power centres of Mal Meninga and Gene Miles.
5. John ‘Chicka’ Ferguson
He was the most evasive running back in the history of the game. He was creaming tries when 35 for the Canberra Raiders. This winger would have ten ‘hardest to tackle’ awards in Rugby League Week polls.
6. Brett Kenny
He was the second greatest five-eighth of the 1980s, and if he wasn’t playing in that position, you were playing into the Queenslanders’ hands.
7. Tom Raudonikis
Loved punching any opposition player wearing Maroon, whether it was Queensland or Manly. This street fighter would be crucial in any game at Lang Park, and when the going got tough, this is the player you wanted on your side. He is to New South Wales what Arthur Beetson is to Queensland.
8. Steve Roach
A true enforcer whose size and block-of-units build gave it to Queensland hardmen like Greg Dowling.
9. Mario Fenech
A rugby league hooker in an era of fighters, Mario had one of the toughest jobs in sport, packing down in scrums in the 1980s. A true give-it-all player, whether it was Souths, Norths or NSW, and no need to bring up the Crushers.
10. Peter Kelly
To back up Steve Roach you need someone just as tough. Peter Kelly was that prop. Winning premierships with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and turning the chocolate soldiers at Penrith into Mountain Men.
11. Ron ‘Rambo’ Gibbs
His most famous contribution to rugby league in the 1980s was the line, “Pearce off Jack, Gibbs on” in the Twelfth Man comedy tapes. He was a formidable second-rower, and his nickname Rambo was no joke. He never played Origin. but he should have.
12. Mark Geyer
Tall, tough and skilful, he had to include the guy whose confrontation with Wally Lewis is still on Origin promotions all these years later.
13. Les Boyd
The most ‘white line fever’ player in the history of the game. He’s a player who didn’t read the room and see the new era of league that was cracking down on thug play. He was still an intimidating force for any Queensland opposition.
Latte Kid
Guest
I think what you forget about the 80s is that NSW had to play two games at Lang Park up until 1987. NSW players hardly prepared having a medical on the Sunday and then played on the Tuesday. This changed from 1985 when NSW players went into camp which is when NSW started to win. 1986 they swept the team with Wally, Miles, Meninga, Shearer, Dowling, Conescu - all fantastic QLD players. Going back to earlier years, in 1982 and 1983 there were deciders which NSW lost both. The 1984 series was a great series that NSW could have won. 1987 was a very close series where I think NSW were the better team but they brought out the Grasshopper for Games 2 and 3 and key moments went against NSW. The deck was stacked against NSW during those years but if NSW had won say in 1984 and 1987, Origin may not be what it is today as Origin is about QLD. 1988 was a strange series, NSW had a very good team that on paper should have won but they lost 3-0. I do think that the QLD forwards really gave it to the NSW pack and this is where QLD dominated , in the forwards. They just had tough no nonsense players that never gave up or took a backwards step.
Nat
Roar Guru
Is this a team just of the 80's? Very strong team but I think it's not far from the squads that were beaten in that time. By comparison the pack has bigger names, except Artie, but I cannot think of one of these guys I would replace for the Qld pack.
Contego
Guest
At least you’ve learnt one lesson and picked Kenny at 5/8th. Realistically however your forward pack would win the fight but lose the match. Even under 1980’s rules I’d be surprised if NSW finished with 13.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Great read mate. Good job. You know, as a Manly fan from the Middle Ages, there was only one player in the 80s that disconcerted me and that was Brett Kenny. He was magnificent. The other guy you mentioned was Les Boyd. He came to Manly from Wests. As purely a matter of personal opinion and with no intention to defame him, he played like an East End London underworld thug and enforcer. The remarkable thing was that he looked like a choirboy. Total, unrestrained violence and malicious intent. Beautiful to watch,
Rellum
Roar Guru
Every NSW team was considered vastly superior back then, it does not matter who you pick. 80's Wally is the GOAT and add in another immortal and a few near immortals and a real and fresh desire to really give it to those south of the border and you can see why we dominated and why, given the quality of the NSW teams in the 80's our best ever QLD team.
3 R M
Guest
A theoretical side to take them on M H Backo Turtle Artie Fullerton Smith Fatty Bobby Linder Alf The King Choppy Geno Big Mal Shearer Belcher You don't want to biff the back line a couple of golden gloves in there if I remember right How did Choppy get his nickname?
R N
Roar Rookie
I would have Clyde in there. Some of his front on defence as a 19 year old in his debut series was way more punishing then what some of these reputable hard men dished! This might be an unpopular opinion but Garry Jack was way overrated.
Crow
Roar Pro
David ‘Cement’ Gillespie is another uncompromising forward I would add to the team or at least the bench. I still think Queensland could win.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
The opposition would be in for some pain from that lot.
Tony
Roar Guru
That's a formidable side Mitchell. You could argue all day about who should or shouldn't be in the side, but they'd take some beating. One player the maroons wouldn't want to see trotting out in a blue jersey though is Les Davidson. Under the old rules and softening up period, you wouldn't want to encounter Les.