Greats Of Origins. Blues Legends On The Toughest Footy Known To Man. Maroons Legends On The Toughest Footy Known To Man

In 1980 the State of Origin series was born at Lang Park in front of a crowd of 33,000, a hard-fought game in an electrifying atmosphere. Little has changed in three decades, the intensity and determination of the players running onto the field is the stuff from legends. Only now it has become Australia's premier sporting event, attracting a huge television audience and constantly sells out the stadium. Cadigan interviews the highest profile players of the game, including Allan Langer, Mal Meninga, Wally Lewis, Andrew Johns, Ricky Stuart, Phil Gould, Wayne Bennett and Steve Mortimer amongst others, discovering what Origin means to them, how it has changed from 'their day' and what they think of their old foes.;Greats of Origin : Blues legends on the toughest footy known to man -- Greats of Origin : Maroons legends on the toughest footy known to man. Told through the eyes of those who were at the centre of the controversies, conquests and conflicts, Greats of Origin delves deeply into the fabric of the toughest physical and psychological test rugby league can offer: State of Origin.
Neil Cadigan takes you behind the scenes and into the minds of the players, coaches and officials who played a part in league′s greatest innovation, from its conception in the 1970s to its first night on 8 July 1980 when 35-year-old front-rower Arthur Beetson inspired Queensland and an emerging generation of legends like Wally Lewis, Mal Meninga and Chris Close, right through to the five-year domination of the current Maroons.
Including reflections on Origin from league legends Steve Mortimer and Wally Lewis; stories never before told about the greatest upset in league history - the 3-0 series victory of Paul Vautin′s Maroon ′imposters′ of 1995; Allan Langer′s dramatic comeback from England in 2001; a compelling insight into rugby league life from Origin father and son representatives Wayne and Mitchell Pearce; plus all-new interviews with modern heroes Darren Lockyer and Kurt Gidley and the most successful Origin coaches, Wayne Bennett, Phil Gould and Mal Meninga.
This book is not just about the famous names but the emotion, sacrifices and pride of some of the lesser lights who have represented their state and stepped up to meet the challenge. A must-read for fans on both sides of the border.
In 1980 the State of Origin series was born at Lang Park in front of a crowd of 33,000; a hard-fought game in an electrifying atmosphere. Little has changed in three decades, the intensity and determination of the players running onto the field is the stuff from legends. Only now it has become Australia's premier sporting event attracting a huge television audience and constantly sells out the stadium; 167 players have put on the Maroon jersey, 237 for the Blues. After 30 years of competition of pride representing their state there is little more memorable than these clashes and the iconic memories taken from the epic victories: Steve Mortimer on his knees punching the ground in relief in the 1985 NSW series win; Allan Langer's fairytale return from England in 2001; Mark Geyer's push and shove with Lewis in 1991 after the two teams brawl because of Geyer's haymaker in the tackle on Steve Walters. Cadigan interviews the highest profile players of the game - including Allan Langer, Mal Meninga, Wally Lewis, Andrew Johns, Ricky Stuart, Phil Gould, Wayne Bennett and Steve Mortimer, amongst others - discovering what Origin means to them, how it has changed from 'their day' and what they think of their old foes.