Cordner wants Yeo to feel what only he has in 20 years

The Advertiser

9 hours ago

Boyd Cordner wants nothing more than for Isaah Yeo to join him in NSW's most illustrious group.
A group so small, that for the past 20 years Cordner has been the sole Blues captain to join it.
Only three times since NSW moved to the Olympic Stadium in 1999 have the Blues men lifted the Shield on their home turf.
Brad Fittler was the first in 2000 after NSW's last 3-0 clean sweep, before Danny Buderus did so four years later.
But for the past two decades, only Cordner has received the shield at home.
In the time since 2005 the Blues have wrapped up both the 2014 and 2018 series at home, before travelling to Brisbane and having the presentation after a loss in a dead rubber.
NSW's entire 2021 series win was played north of the Tweed, while last year's historic victory in the game-three decider was also at Suncorp Stadium.
It means that for most Blues in the current NSW team, the only time they can remember seeing their state lift the shield at home is Cordner's celebration in 2019.
"As cool as that is to have next to my name, I am really hoping there are two of us (from the past 20 years) come next week," Cordner, now on NSW's staff, told AAP.
"It's honestly the best-ever feeling. It's hard to put into words.
"The year before we won it in two games (in 2018), and then went up there and lifted it. It's a different feeling.
"But to go into the decider at home knowing that whoever wins it is going to be celebrating, it's such a good feeling."
NSW's 2019 win remains arguably their most epic of all at Accor Stadium, with James Tedesco scoring the match-winner in the final minute.
Cordner labels the match as the highlight of his Origin career, one of just two times NSW have won a decider in Sydney this century.
Yeo has spent most of this series trying not to think about the emotions of game day, having adopted a stay-in-the-moment approach as captain.
But he can see the potential for some history on Wednesday, shocked by the fact Cordner was the only Blues captain to lift the trophy at home in the past 20 years.
"You just want to win for your state, no matter what position you are in," Yeo said.
"You want to be lifting the shield because it means you are having for success for your state. That's why you do it."
NSW players were given Friday off, and train again in the Blue Mountains on Saturday with Brian To'o's problem knee of high interest.
The team travel on Sunday to Sydney, where destiny could await for Yeo after they let a chance to wrap up the series in Perth slip last month.
"It'd be incredible," second-rower Liam Martin said.
"It was obviously disappointing not to get the job done in Perth. But when it all settles you go you're playing a decider in front of your home crowd.
"So if you can do it in front of your family and the whole of NSW, it would be pretty special."
Boyd Cordner wants nothing more than for Isaah Yeo to join him in NSW's most illustrious group.
A group so small, that for the past 20 years Cordner has been the sole Blues captain to join it.
Only three times since NSW moved to the Olympic Stadium in 1999 have the Blues men lifted the Shield on their home turf.
Brad Fittler was the first in 2000 after NSW's last 3-0 clean sweep, before Danny Buderus did so four years later.
But for the past two decades, only Cordner has received the shield at home.
In the time since 2005 the Blues have wrapped up both the 2014 and 2018 series at home, before travelling to Brisbane and having the presentation after a loss in a dead rubber.
NSW's entire 2021 series win was played north of the Tweed, while last year's historic victory in the game-three decider was also at Suncorp Stadium.
It means that for most Blues in the current NSW team, the only time they can remember seeing their state lift the shield at home is Cordner's celebration in 2019.
"As cool as that is to have next to my name, I am really hoping there are two of us (from the past 20 years) come next week," Cordner, now on NSW's staff, told AAP.
"It's honestly the best-ever feeling. It's hard to put into words.
"The year before we won it in two games (in 2018), and then went up there and lifted it. It's a different feeling.
"But to go into the decider at home knowing that whoever wins it is going to be celebrating, it's such a good feeling."
NSW's 2019 win remains arguably their most epic of all at Accor Stadium, with James Tedesco scoring the match-winner in the final minute.
Cordner labels the match as the highlight of his Origin career, one of just two times NSW have won a decider in Sydney this century.
Yeo has spent most of this series trying not to think about the emotions of game day, having adopted a stay-in-the-moment approach as captain.
But he can see the potential for some history on Wednesday, shocked by the fact Cordner was the only Blues captain to lift the trophy at home in the past 20 years.
"You just want to win for your state, no matter what position you are in," Yeo said.
"You want to be lifting the shield because it means you are having for success for your state. That's why you do it."
NSW players were given Friday off, and train again in the Blue Mountains on Saturday with Brian To'o's problem knee of high interest.
The team travel on Sunday to Sydney, where destiny could await for Yeo after they let a chance to wrap up the series in Perth slip last month.
"It'd be incredible," second-rower Liam Martin said.
"It was obviously disappointing not to get the job done in Perth. But when it all settles you go you're playing a decider in front of your home crowd.
"So if you can do it in front of your family and the whole of NSW, it would be pretty special."
Boyd Cordner wants nothing more than for Isaah Yeo to join him in NSW's most illustrious group.
A group so small, that for the past 20 years Cordner has been the sole Blues captain to join it.
Only three times since NSW moved to the Olympic Stadium in 1999 have the Blues men lifted the Shield on their home turf.
Brad Fittler was the first in 2000 after NSW's last 3-0 clean sweep, before Danny Buderus did so four years later.
But for the past two decades, only Cordner has received the shield at home.
In the time since 2005 the Blues have wrapped up both the 2014 and 2018 series at home, before travelling to Brisbane and having the presentation after a loss in a dead rubber.
NSW's entire 2021 series win was played north of the Tweed, while last year's historic victory in the game-three decider was also at Suncorp Stadium.
It means that for most Blues in the current NSW team, the only time they can remember seeing their state lift the shield at home is Cordner's celebration in 2019.
"As cool as that is to have next to my name, I am really hoping there are two of us (from the past 20 years) come next week," Cordner, now on NSW's staff, told AAP.
"It's honestly the best-ever feeling. It's hard to put into words.
"The year before we won it in two games (in 2018), and then went up there and lifted it. It's a different feeling.
"But to go into the decider at home knowing that whoever wins it is going to be celebrating, it's such a good feeling."
NSW's 2019 win remains arguably their most epic of all at Accor Stadium, with James Tedesco scoring the match-winner in the final minute.
Cordner labels the match as the highlight of his Origin career, one of just two times NSW have won a decider in Sydney this century.
Yeo has spent most of this series trying not to think about the emotions of game day, having adopted a stay-in-the-moment approach as captain.
But he can see the potential for some history on Wednesday, shocked by the fact Cordner was the only Blues captain to lift the trophy at home in the past 20 years.
"You just want to win for your state, no matter what position you are in," Yeo said.
"You want to be lifting the shield because it means you are having for success for your state. That's why you do it."
NSW players were given Friday off, and train again in the Blue Mountains on Saturday with Brian To'o's problem knee of high interest.
The team travel on Sunday to Sydney, where destiny could await for Yeo after they let a chance to wrap up the series in Perth slip last month.
"It'd be incredible," second-rower Liam Martin said.
"It was obviously disappointing not to get the job done in Perth. But when it all settles you go you're playing a decider in front of your home crowd.
"So if you can do it in front of your family and the whole of NSW, it would be pretty special."