By CASEY O’CONNOR
AS WE begin the countdown to Origin there is always speculation and discussion around the birth of Origin and our famous Queensland Origin spirit. Of course the Qld-NSW rivalry extends a lot further back than State of Origin. In fact as we know Origin was born out of previous clashes. 2013 marks 105 years of intense interstate rivalry between Queensland and NSW Rugby League.
Not only is the league celebrating this milestone, the XXXX Queensland Maroons, their coach Mal Meninga and the QRL will be paying tribute to the effort of all Qld teams past and present in true Queensland style. Most notable of these will be the last Queensland team to win an interstate series prior to the birth of Origin in 1980. That was the 1959 Queensland team – it certainly was a long time between drinks for Queenslanders and it never ceases to amaze me that NSW just don’t get where our passion comes from.
That very special 1959 side – which won the series three zip in a whitewash – have received special invitations from the QRL to attend the 2013 XXXX Queensland Naming of the Team Dinner at Suncorp Stadium on 27 May.
Among those recognised in that 1959 side will be someone with very close ties to Stanthorpe Rugby league, former captain-coach of the 1964 Stanthorpe side Bobby Cook. Cook coached Stanthorpe in 1964 and at that time it was widely reported he was the highest paid coach in Queensland, such was the strength of country rugby league back then. It was obviously money well spent – in that year Stanthorpe won the coveted St George Cup, the Warwick and District Rugby League Premiership.
The Qld team of 1959 will be presented to the 400 guests at the Suncorp function and will be involved in naming the 2013 Maroons side. I am sure it will be a great honour and thrill for Bobby – those who remember him well will agree that while he was a terrific player and coach above all else he is a great bloke. Congratulations Bobby Cook.
