1990 Rugby League State of Origin series
Encyclopedia
Game I at the Sydney Football Stadium was a typical Origin arm-wrestle and resulted in the lowest score in the series' 10 year history to that point. Queensland's Wally Lewis
withdrew pre-match due to a hamstring tear (only the 2nd Origin match he had missed in the series' history), Maroon's hero Gene Miles
had retired and Tony Currie, Michael Hancock
and Kerrod Walters
were all out with injuries.
New South Wales' captain Benny Elias
played what was regarded as his finest representative performance with a copybook dummy-half display. Photogenic Blues' centre Mark "Sparkles" McGaw
, who went on to become a Gladiator in the Australian television series, played like one on the night and scored the only try of the match. He outplayed his opposite, the formidable Mal Meninga
and pulled off a covering tackle on winger Alan McIndoe
that was so comprehensive that both McIndoe's boots came flying from his feet. The win was the Blues' first since the post-series exhibition match in 1987.
. As one of the toughest and most intense Origin duels it gave Victorians a taste of what the contest is all about, with the match hanging in the balance till the end.
In his halcyon days Allan Langer
like Wally Lewis
and Steve Mortimer
was always able to leave an indelible mark on an Origin series. Unfortunately his stealing of the ball from Blues replacement prop Glenn Lazarus
was not among his finest moments and it helped spell the end of three years of Queensland State of Origin dominance which had included two consecutive series clean sweeps from 1988. Langer's steal was a defining moment giving Rod Wishart
the chance to put the Blues ahead 8-6. Shortly afterwards Brad Mackay
swooped on an intercept and streaked away for the try that put the game out of reach for the Maroons.
landing a wide conversion after Gary Belcher
had taken the earlier kicks. Canberra Raiders
' forward Steve Jackson
who the year before had scored a Grand Final try to give his club the premiership scored an almost identical try to give Queensland the game and a face-saving sole victory in the series.
Wally Lewis
Walter James "Wally" Lewis AM is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer and coach. Currently a commentator of the sport, he is widely regarded as the greatest rugby league player of all time...
withdrew pre-match due to a hamstring tear (only the 2nd Origin match he had missed in the series' history), Maroon's hero Gene Miles
Gene Miles
Gene Miles is a retired Australian rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative centre, he played his club football in the Brisbane Rugby League premiership before joining the Brisbane Broncos whom he captained.-BRL:A...
had retired and Tony Currie, Michael Hancock
Michael Hancock (rugby league)
Michael John "Mick" Hancock is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s, 90s and 2000s. An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative winger, he played in the Brisbane Broncos' 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grand final victories...
and Kerrod Walters
Kerrod Walters
Kerrod Walters is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative hooker, he played most of his club football with the Brisbane Broncos, with whom he won the 1992 and 1993 NSWRL Premierships...
were all out with injuries.
New South Wales' captain Benny Elias
Benny Elias
Benjamin Elias is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. He played primarily as a hooker for Balmain in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership. He was one of the leading hookers from the mid 1980s until his retirement at the end of the 1994 season...
played what was regarded as his finest representative performance with a copybook dummy-half display. Photogenic Blues' centre Mark "Sparkles" McGaw
Mark McGaw
Mark McGaw is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. He achieved national and state representative honours in the sport and following his retirement became one of the Gladiators in the Australian version of the TV show...
, who went on to become a Gladiator in the Australian television series, played like one on the night and scored the only try of the match. He outplayed his opposite, the formidable Mal Meninga
Mal Meninga
Malcolm Norman Meninga AM is an Australian former rugby league test captain and current coach of Queensland's State of Origin team. As a player he was a legendary goal-kicking centre, counted amongst the finest footballers of the 20th century...
and pulled off a covering tackle on winger Alan McIndoe
Alan McIndoe
Alan McIndoe is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative winger, he played club football in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership for the Illawarra Steelers, with whom he topped the League's...
that was so comprehensive that both McIndoe's boots came flying from his feet. The win was the Blues' first since the post-series exhibition match in 1987.
Game Two
The public relations exercise to showcase the game in Melbourne proved a success with a sell-out crowd of 28,500 cramming into Olympic ParkOlympic Park, Melbourne
The Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Precinct is a series of sports venues and stadia, located in Melbourne, Victoria, in Australia. The precinct is situated around 3 km east of the Melbourne city centre, between the suburbs of East Melbourne and Richmond, and close to the north-eastern bank of...
. As one of the toughest and most intense Origin duels it gave Victorians a taste of what the contest is all about, with the match hanging in the balance till the end.
In his halcyon days Allan Langer
Allan Langer
Allan "Alfie" Langer AM is an Australian former multi-award-winning rugby league footballer of the 1980s, 90s and 2000s who works as an assistant coach for the Australian national team and Brisbane Broncos...
like Wally Lewis
Wally Lewis
Walter James "Wally" Lewis AM is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer and coach. Currently a commentator of the sport, he is widely regarded as the greatest rugby league player of all time...
and Steve Mortimer
Steve Mortimer
Steve Mortimer OAM, , nicknamed Turvey after Turvey Park in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, where he hailed from, is an Australian former rugby league halfback. Mortimer played a Canterbury-Bankstown club record 272 first grade games between 1976–88. Mortimer's two younger brothers Peter and Chris...
was always able to leave an indelible mark on an Origin series. Unfortunately his stealing of the ball from Blues replacement prop Glenn Lazarus
Glenn Lazarus
Glenn Patrick Lazarus is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s who has been named amongst the nation's finest of the 20th century. He primarily played at prop forward, representing Australia internationally and New South Wales in State of Origin...
was not among his finest moments and it helped spell the end of three years of Queensland State of Origin dominance which had included two consecutive series clean sweeps from 1988. Langer's steal was a defining moment giving Rod Wishart
Rod Wishart
Rod Wishart is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s. A New South Wales State of Origin and Australia international representative goal-kicking winger, he played club football with the Illawarra Steelers and the St...
the chance to put the Blues ahead 8-6. Shortly afterwards Brad Mackay
Brad Mackay
Brad Mackay is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A versatile Lock Forward for the St George Dragons, Illawarra Steelers, Western Reds and the merged St...
swooped on an intercept and streaked away for the try that put the game out of reach for the Maroons.
Game Three
In Game III the Blues led 10-4 after just 24 minutes and looked set for a series whitewash. Then the Maroons clawed back to 10-all early in the second half with their Origin "King" Wally LewisWally Lewis
Walter James "Wally" Lewis AM is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer and coach. Currently a commentator of the sport, he is widely regarded as the greatest rugby league player of all time...
landing a wide conversion after Gary Belcher
Gary Belcher
Gary Belcher is an Australian rugby league football commentator and former player of the 1980s and '90s. An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative goal-kicking fullback, he played club football in the Brisbane Rugby League premiership for Souths and in the NSWRL...
had taken the earlier kicks. Canberra Raiders
Canberra Raiders
The Canberra Raiders are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the national capital city of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. They have competed in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership since 1982...
' forward Steve Jackson
Steve Jackson
Steve Jackson may refer to:* Steve Jackson , set theorist at University of North Texas* Steve Jackson , co-founder, with Ian Livingstone, of Games Workshop...
who the year before had scored a Grand Final try to give his club the premiership scored an almost identical try to give Queensland the game and a face-saving sole victory in the series.
New South Wales
| Position | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fullback | Andrew Ettingshausen Andrew Ettingshausen Andrew Ettingshausen is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. He played his first grade Australian club football for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, retiring with the record of most games at a single club, with 328... |
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| Wing | Rod Wishart Rod Wishart Rod Wishart is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s. A New South Wales State of Origin and Australia international representative goal-kicking winger, he played club football with the Illawarra Steelers and the St... |
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| Centre | Michael O'Connor | Brad Mackay Brad Mackay Brad Mackay is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A versatile Lock Forward for the St George Dragons, Illawarra Steelers, Western Reds and the merged St... |
Michael O'Connor | |||
| Centre | Mark McGaw Mark McGaw Mark McGaw is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. He achieved national and state representative honours in the sport and following his retirement became one of the Gladiators in the Australian version of the TV show... |
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| Wing | Ricky Walford Ricky Walford Ricky Walford is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. He played for the Sydney Roosters, North Sydney Bears and the St. George Dragons... |
Graham Lyons Graham Lyons Graham Lyons, an Indigenous Australian, is a former professional rugby league footballer who played for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Penrith Panthers and Balmain Tigers in the New South Wales Rugby League competition... |
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| Five-Eighth | Laurie Daley Laurie Daley Laurie Daley OA is an Australian rugby league football commentator and former player of Indigenous Australian descent. He represented Australia on 26 occasions and has since been named as one of the nation's finest players of the 20th century... |
Des Hasler Des Hasler Des Hasler is an Australian former professional rugby league player and current head coach of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. He played in 309 matches in a first-grade career spanning 16 seasons. Most of his career was spent with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, with whom he won two premierships... |
Brad Mackay Brad Mackay Brad Mackay is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A versatile Lock Forward for the St George Dragons, Illawarra Steelers, Western Reds and the merged St... |
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| Halfback | Ricky Stuart Ricky Stuart Ricky Stuart is an Australian rugby league football coach and former player of the 1980s and 90s. He is currently the head coach of the New South Wales State of Origin team, having replaced Craig Bellamy following a fifth consecutive failure in the 2010 series... |
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| Prop |  Steve Roach |
 Glenn LazarusGlenn Lazarus Glenn Patrick Lazarus is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s who has been named amongst the nation's finest of the 20th century. He primarily played at prop forward, representing Australia internationally and New South Wales in State of Origin... |
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| Hooker | Ben Elias (c) |
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| Prop | Ian Roberts | |||||
| Second Row |  David GillespieDavid Gillespie David "Cement" Gillespie is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A sturdy forward, he played for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Western Suburbs Magpies, Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, New South Wales and for the Australian national side... |
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| Second Row | Bruce McGuire Bruce McGuire Bruce McGuire is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A New South Wales State of Origin and Australian international representative forward, he played in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership for the Balmain Tigers and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs... |
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| Lock | Bradley Clyde Bradley Clyde Bradley Clyde is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s, 90s and 2000s who, at the peak of his playing career was widely acknowledged as the best lock forward in the game.... |
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| Replacement | Glenn Lazarus Glenn Lazarus Glenn Patrick Lazarus is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s who has been named amongst the nation's finest of the 20th century. He primarily played at prop forward, representing Australia internationally and New South Wales in State of Origin... |
 Mark SargentMark Sargent Mark Sargent is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and '90s. A New South Wales State of Origin and Australian international representative forward, he played in the NSWRL premiership for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and Newcastle Knights, winning the... |
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| Replacement | Paul Sironen Paul Sironen Paul Sironen is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who was a prominent second rower for the Balmain Tigers during the late 1980s and early 1990s... |
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| Replacement | Geoff Toovey Geoff Toovey Geoffrey "Geoff" Toovey is an Australian rugby league coach and former professional player of the late 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. He was educated at Davidson High School... |
 Andrew FarrarAndrew Farrar Andrew Farrar is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He played for the Canterbury Bulldogs, Western Suburbs Magpies, Wigan Warriors and Illawarra Steelers. Farrar also played for New South Wales in the State of Origin on several occasions and played for Australia in the 1988... |
Des Hasler Des Hasler Des Hasler is an Australian former professional rugby league player and current head coach of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. He played in 309 matches in a first-grade career spanning 16 seasons. Most of his career was spent with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, with whom he won two premierships... |
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| Replacement |  Graham LyonsGraham Lyons Graham Lyons, an Indigenous Australian, is a former professional rugby league footballer who played for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Penrith Panthers and Balmain Tigers in the New South Wales Rugby League competition... |
 Brad FittlerBrad Fittler Bradley Scott "Freddie" Fittler AM is an Australian professional rugby league football coach and former player. The current coach of NSW City team in the City vs. Country clash, he coached in the NRL for the Sydney Roosters between 2007 and 2009. As a player, Fittler captained both New South Wales... |
Greg Alexander Greg Alexander Gregory Peter Stephen "Greg" Alexander is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s who has since become a commentator. A goal-kicking half-back, in his career he played for and captained the Penrith Panthers and the Auckland Warriors clubs and also represented his country... |
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| Coach |  Jack GibsonJack Gibson (rugby league) Jack Arthur Gibson OAM was an Australian rugby league identity – a player, commentator and most notably a coach... |
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Queensland
| Position | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fullback | Gary Belcher Gary Belcher Gary Belcher is an Australian rugby league football commentator and former player of the 1980s and '90s. An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative goal-kicking fullback, he played club football in the Brisbane Rugby League premiership for Souths and in the NSWRL... |
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| Wing | Alan McIndoe Alan McIndoe Alan McIndoe is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative winger, he played club football in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership for the Illawarra Steelers, with whom he topped the League's... |
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| Centre |  Dale ShearerDale Shearer Dale Shearer is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative winger/fullback of Aboriginal heritage, he played club football in Queensland, New South Wales and England... |
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| Centre | Mal Meninga Mal Meninga Malcolm Norman Meninga AM is an Australian former rugby league test captain and current coach of Queensland's State of Origin team. As a player he was a legendary goal-kicking centre, counted amongst the finest footballers of the 20th century... |
Peter Jackson Peter Jackson (rugby league) Peter Jackson was an Australian professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and '90s. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative back, he played club football in both Queensland and New South Wales as well as a season in England... |
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| Wing | Les Kiss Les Kiss Les Kiss is an Australian former professional rugby league player in the New South Wales Rugby League, former rugby league coach and current rugby union coach.- Playing career :... |
Willie Carne Willie Carne William Carne is an Australian former rugby league footballer who played for the Brisbane Broncos from 1990 to 1996, as well as representing both Queensland and Australia... |
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| Five-Eighth | Michael Hagan Michael Hagan Michael Hagan is an Australian rugby league football coach and former player. He currently works as assistant coach under Mal Meninga for the record-breaking Queensland rugby league team... |
Wally Lewis Wally Lewis Walter James "Wally" Lewis AM is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer and coach. Currently a commentator of the sport, he is widely regarded as the greatest rugby league player of all time... (c) |
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| Halfback | Allan Langer Allan Langer Allan "Alfie" Langer AM is an Australian former multi-award-winning rugby league footballer of the 1980s, 90s and 2000s who works as an assistant coach for the Australian national team and Brisbane Broncos... |
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| Prop | Martin Bella Martin Bella Martin Bella is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A prop forward, he achieved national and state representation and played club football for various teams in Queensland, New South Wales and England. He is of Italian descent.... |
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| Hooker | Steve Walters Steve Walters Steve Walters is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s, who at the peak of his career, was considered the best hooker in the game. An Australian Kangaroos and Queensland Maroons representative, he played in the Canberra Raiders' 1st, 2nd and 3rd grand final... |
Kerrod Walters Kerrod Walters Kerrod Walters is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative hooker, he played most of his club football with the Brisbane Broncos, with whom he won the 1992 and 1993 NSWRL Premierships... |
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| Prop | Dan Stains Dan Stains Dan Stains is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He played primarily for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, usually as a , and as a .He played for Halifax and captained Cronulla... |
Sam Backo Sam Backo Sam Backo is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s who has been named as one of the greatest Aboriginal players of the 20th century. He represented Australia and Queensland, and played club football in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership for the Canberra... |
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| Second Row |  Paul VautinPaul Vautin Paul Vautin , is an Australian sports television personality and former rugby league footballer and coach. He currently hosts the NRL Footy Show and provides commentary for the Nine Network's coverage of rugby league matches... (c) |
Dan Stains Dan Stains Dan Stains is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He played primarily for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, usually as a , and as a .He played for Halifax and captained Cronulla... |
Trevor Gillmeister Trevor Gillmeister Trevor Gillmeister is an Australian former rugby league player who is currently signed on as an assistant coach at the Gold Coast Titans. During his playing days Gillmeister played for the Sydney Roosters, Brisbane Broncos, Penrith Panthers and the South Queensland Crushers as well as... |
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| Second Row | Wally Fullerton-Smith | Gary Coyne Gary Coyne Gary Coyne was a rugby league player for the Canberra Raiders. Originally from Ipswich, He was a part of the Raiders' competition-winning side of the 1989 and 1990 seasons... |
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| Lock | Bob Lindner Bob Lindner Bob Lindner is a former Australian representative rugby league player and coach. He represented his country in the sport and is one of a handful of players to be man-of-the-match in State of Origin football more than once... |
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| Replacement | Mark Coyne | Trevor Gillmeister Trevor Gillmeister Trevor Gillmeister is an Australian former rugby league player who is currently signed on as an assistant coach at the Gold Coast Titans. During his playing days Gillmeister played for the Sydney Roosters, Brisbane Broncos, Penrith Panthers and the South Queensland Crushers as well as... |
Kevin Walters Kevin Walters Kevin David Walters is an Australian professional rugby league football coach and former player. He is currently the assistant coach for NRL club Melbourne Storm. He joined them from French club Catalans Dragons of Europe's Super League as their head coach. Before that he was head coach of the... |
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| Replacement | Kevin Walters Kevin Walters Kevin David Walters is an Australian professional rugby league football coach and former player. He is currently the assistant coach for NRL club Melbourne Storm. He joined them from French club Catalans Dragons of Europe's Super League as their head coach. Before that he was head coach of the... |
Andrew Gee Andrew Gee Andrew Gee is an Australian rugby league administrator and the current football operations manager at the Brisbane Broncos of the NRL... |
Michael Hagan Michael Hagan Michael Hagan is an Australian rugby league football coach and former player. He currently works as assistant coach under Mal Meninga for the record-breaking Queensland rugby league team... |
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| Replacement | Gary Coyne Gary Coyne Gary Coyne was a rugby league player for the Canberra Raiders. Originally from Ipswich, He was a part of the Raiders' competition-winning side of the 1989 and 1990 seasons... |
Mark Coyne | Andrew Gee Andrew Gee Andrew Gee is an Australian rugby league administrator and the current football operations manager at the Brisbane Broncos of the NRL... |
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| Replacement | Trevor Gillmeister Trevor Gillmeister Trevor Gillmeister is an Australian former rugby league player who is currently signed on as an assistant coach at the Gold Coast Titans. During his playing days Gillmeister played for the Sydney Roosters, Brisbane Broncos, Penrith Panthers and the South Queensland Crushers as well as... |
Kevin Walters Kevin Walters Kevin David Walters is an Australian professional rugby league football coach and former player. He is currently the assistant coach for NRL club Melbourne Storm. He joined them from French club Catalans Dragons of Europe's Super League as their head coach. Before that he was head coach of the... |
Steve Jackson |
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| Coach |  Arthur BeetsonArthur Beetson Arthur Henry "Artie" Beetson, OAM , was an Australian rugby league footballer and coach. He represented Australia and Queensland from 1964 to 1981. His position was at prop. Beetson became the first Indigenous Australian to captain his country in any sport. and is frequently cited as the best... |
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Sources
- Big League's 25 Years of Origin Collectors' Edition, News Magazines, Surry Hills, Sydney