Almanac Rugby League – One for the Maroons

Former Maroons’ forward Billy Moore is credited with starting the fabled “QUEENSLANDER” chant that echoes eerily around Lang Park when Queensland take on NSW in State of Origin action.

Have you ever found yourself wondering why – beyond the obvious rivalry between the two States –  it means so much to the Maroons?

To understand the depth of feeling behind the chant, you need to go back to the Super League wars of 1995.

With the retirement of Mal Meninga and a host of other stars ruled ineligible due to their Super League contracts including Alf Langer, Gorden Tallis, Wendell Sailor, The Walters brothers and Willie Carne, a Queensland origin series win was considered improbable at best, impossible at worst.

History shows that the Maroons went on to create one of Australian sport’s greatest stories.

Michael Westlake and Paul Malone from the Queensland Courier-Mail look back on the ‘Miracle of 1995.’

 

In 1995, rugby league was at war.

The Super League split had divided the code and turned clubs, teammates and friends against each other depending on their view of “loyalty”.

By the time that year’s Origin series rolled around, the Maroons were familiar with the word crisis.

Facing their fourth series defeat in a row, King Wally Lewis had abdicated the coaching throne for 1995, so Wayne Bennett could try to right the ship he had steered to series wins in 1987 and 1988.

But Super League, and more directly the role of Bennett’s club the Broncos within it, meant the dramas had only just begun.

 

READ MICHAEL WESTLAKE AND PAUL MALONE’S FULL ARTICLE

 

 

And, if you haven’t already, re-live JTH’s match report from the last time State of Origin Rugby League visited Melbourne HERE

 

 

Leave a Comment

*