The 19 reasons NSW have the edge over Maroons before Origin III

Even Flanno's backers are deserting him as pressure mounts over handling of son Kyle

Sydney Morning Herald

30 minutes ago

Sydney Morning Herald

Even Flanno's backers are deserting him as pressure mounts over handling of son Kyle

Winning will fix this issue in the short-term and last night was a start. But the problem for Flanagan snr is that the same people who didn't want him to coach the Dragons in the first place certainly haven't changed their minds. In fairness to the Dragons, Flanagan was the best option available at the time. They needed to sign a coach with experience and Flanagan has won a competition with the Sharks. The next few weeks may determine whether any request to extend his contract, which ends in 2027, is looked at favourably. At this point, he has not asked for one. All of this is happening while the Dragons have an obvious first-grade coach in their midst in assistant Dean Young, and up the road at South Sydney there is someone with the pedigree and development they need – the increasingly confident Ben Hornby. There is no evidence the Dragons are sounding out other coaches, though. The immediate issue for coach Flanagan are his comments defending Kyle in the News Corp press. 'To say Kyle is under pressure is ridiculous,' Flanagan said. 'He's been among our best players all year. It's not me, ask the other players and coaches. I'm probably harder on Kyle than any other player.' Those comments have gone down badly with those close to him at the club. Those who understand the media game told Flanno it would be a bad idea to make such statements. There was speculation the board was not impressed, but that has been denied. However, sections of the playing group certainly don't agree with Flanagan's appraisal and defence of his son. The quotes above have been talked about by members of the Dragons playing group and also by former players who have been in contact with the current group. It was brought to my attention by those close to the players, and I was asked to make it clear that they have not been well received. This columnist was even confronted by some at the Dragons after I said I felt sorry for Kyle. I was reminded that he's on a salary that he would not get at any other club, playing in a position that he would not be playing at any other club. I've also been told that former Dragons half Ben Hunt found it uncomfortable playing with Kyle. Some players have made comments about enjoying playing on the other side of the field to him. And other players are upset by the number of player of the match awards he's received from the coaching staff. PVL defends son's role in video game group NRL boss Peter V'landys has defended placing his son in a focus group to approve the code's newest video game, which is due to be launched next month. The game, Rugby League 26, is yet to be ticked off on or even promoted, and V'landys makes no apologies for bringing his family into the process. NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has also been linked to the process, and he is fuming on behalf of both men at questions over their involvement. They see it as an attempt to imply they are overstepping their roles and are going to launch an investigation into how this sensitive information made it into this column. I put information to V'landys and Abdo that detailed the use of focus groups to assess the game, which is due to be launched on July 17. Those with knowledge of the process, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the matter, told this column that V'landys wanted to show the game to his family and have that as part of the rigorous testing process before it could be approved and then launched. 'Persons that are saying this rubbish are either being mischievous or running an agenda,' V'landys said. 'We simply wanted a rigorous analysis by an independent focus group where my son would be one of many as he plays the other sports games. We want the game to be the best in the market, so we want an honest analysis not a confected one.' Abdo said: 'Stakeholder focus group testing is a normal part of the quality control testing process to ensure the best possible user experience.' V'landys considers these kinds of video games to be a big part of growing rugby league, citing the popularity of similar NBA and FIFA games. He explained that video games introduce young people to a sport they may not know a lot about, hopefully creating new fans for the code. We contacted the boss of the company, Big Ant Studios, that has developed the game and put questions to him about the influence of the NRL bosses on the product. Those queries were promptly shut down and I was referred to the NRL. It is fair to say the hunt is now on to discover how this information became public. Bellamy key in Origin III Whatever Craig Bellamy is being paid by the NSW Rugby League, he'll be worth every cent during the next 10 days. He is the man who can help Laurie Daley overcome any post-traumatic Origin syndrome that he may have as he approaches the biggest game of his coaching career. Daley wants this win badly. He has some wrongs to right in Origin and the key for him is to maintain the calm yet inspiring demeanour he has displayed to the players in private. This is very much Daley's Blues team, but don't underestimate the importance of Bellamy and his right-hand man at state and club level, Frank Ponissi, as the Blues get ready for the decider. Bellamy has been in the background and has largely avoided media requests because he knows this is Daley's side. But Bellamy is more attuned to the high pressure and cut and thrust of big games, and the preparation that is required at such times. It is exactly why Daley put his ego aside and made Bellamy the top priority on his coaching staff when he wanted to get the state job back. Daley would not be human if he didn't think about the close calls in his first coaching stint at the Blues, when his team lost narrowly in big games against the greatest Queensland side of all time. Daley won just six of 15 games in that first stint, but many of those losses were heartbreakingly close, and it could easily have been a very different story. Those losses do not sit well with Daley, and as one of the proudest men in Blues history, this is an opportunity for redemption that he does not want to let slip. He will need to channel that in the right way and Bellamy – the coach's coach – has a vital role to play in that. NRL fears record invasion Souths boss Blake Solly will have meetings with Alex Johnston, his manager, Steve Gillis, and the NRL to discuss a range of options to celebrate the Rabbitohs winger's looming try-scoring record. Johnston scored four tries against the Storm last weekend to move to 206, just six shy of Ken Irvine's once seemingly untouchable try-scoring record of 212. He may be closer this morning after the Rabbitohs took on the Dolphins last night. One thing the NRL doesn't want to happen is for fans to run onto the field to celebrate the moment. How they stop that is another matter. Central character I'm not into rappers, but this guy must be a big deal. Central Cee has 15 million followers on Instagram and Bulldogs star Bronson Xerri was quick to post this pic after the match against the Panthers. According to Wikipedia, Cee is UK rapper Oakley Neil Caesar-Su, and he's a big deal. I'll take their word for it. Sorry state of affairs Ryan Hoffman was always an honourable and decent bloke to deal with in the media, but his defence of Billy Slater, while well-meaning, was poorly thought-out. Queensland coach Slater apologised for referencing the late Maroons mentor Paul Green in a press conference where he linked Green's death to public criticism of coaches. He was responding to comments made on radio by Aaron Woods. Hoffman was angry Woods called Slater a grub. But he then upped the name-calling, labelling Woods – his NSW teammate in the Blues' 2014 series victory – a 'coward' on the ABC's Offsiders program. It destroyed his credibility in the argument, giving Woods another victory. There has been some speculation that Slater was advised by Queensland Rugby League boss Ben Ikin to apologise to Green's wife, Amanda. It was coming from good sources, but we have checked it out and have been told it was Slater's idea alone. Which is a good thing, as it shows he is truly sorry for what he said. We have been told the apology was as heartfelt as it gets. Ikin's blue comes up trumps Speaking of Ikin, he got the surprise of his life when he arrived at his Perth hotel for Origin II. The first person he bumped into was NSW coach Laurie Daley, who said, 'What are you doing here?' Ikin had booked himself into the Blues' team hotel. He was one of the few happy guests on Thursday morning after Queensland's surprise 26-24 win. Cobbo backers go quiet The apologists for Selwyn Cobbo have gone quiet in recent times as he embarks on an effort to re-establish his football career at the Dolphins. In fact, his chief cheerleader Gorden Tallis is now suggesting Cobbo and coach Michael Maguire had a personality clash. We will take Tallis at his word regarding Maguire, but it's worth noting that Tallis has it in for Maguire after he sacked him from a job at South Sydney. Maguire chose not to have Tallis as part of his coaching set-up when he took over at the Rabbitohs in late 2011. Tallis had a role at the club before Maguire's arrival. Tallis is the same person who has raged our revelation last year that Cobbo and the Queensland coaching staff were not on the same page. It is worth noting Cobbo has not played for the Maroons since our revelations and is now in the Queensland Cup. When we made those comments about Cobbo, a member of the Queensland coaching staff pulled me aside to say that I didn't understand Indigenous footballers. That was both racist and an admission that things had not gone smoothly in camp for Queensland with Cobbo. Cobbo is an introverted young man who is happier sitting in front of a PlayStation at home than being in the public eye. He is lifted by the love of his family and weighed down by an expectation to provide for them. Now that Tallis is telling the world that Cobbo may not be every coach's cup of tea, it stacks up to the issues we touched on last year. His issues at Queensland are very similar to the ones at the Broncos, in that his commitment to doing the small things that separate good footballers from great ones is not there. It also explains why the Broncos were only willing to offer Cobbo half of his current salary to stay at the club, and they had not prioritised his signing. Cobbo's teammate Billy Walters said publicly that the talented utility back needs to find his love for football again, which is something everybody in the game hopes will happen as he is a rare talent when he is fully focused on the task of being a professional footballer. Will Luai jump back in deep end?

The Age

36 minutes ago

The Age

Even Flanno's backers are deserting him as pressure mounts over handling of son Kyle

Winning will fix this issue in the short-term and last night was a start. But the problem for Flanagan snr is that the same people who didn't want him to coach the Dragons in the first place certainly haven't changed their minds. In fairness to the Dragons, Flanagan was the best option available at the time. They needed to sign a coach with experience and Flanagan has won a competition with the Sharks. The next few weeks may determine whether any request to extend his contract, which ends in 2027, is looked at favourably. At this point, he has not asked for one. All of this is happening while the Dragons have an obvious first-grade coach in their midst in assistant Dean Young, and up the road at South Sydney there is someone with the pedigree and development they need – the increasingly confident Ben Hornby. There is no evidence the Dragons are sounding out other coaches, though. The immediate issue for coach Flanagan are his comments defending Kyle in the News Corp press. 'To say Kyle is under pressure is ridiculous,' Flanagan said. 'He's been among our best players all year. It's not me, ask the other players and coaches. I'm probably harder on Kyle than any other player.' Those comments have gone down badly with those close to him at the club. Those who understand the media game told Flanno it would be a bad idea to make such statements. There was speculation the board was not impressed, but that has been denied. However, sections of the playing group certainly don't agree with Flanagan's appraisal and defence of his son. The quotes above have been talked about by members of the Dragons playing group and also by former players who have been in contact with the current group. It was brought to my attention by those close to the players, and I was asked to make it clear that they have not been well received. This columnist was even confronted by some at the Dragons after I said I felt sorry for Kyle. I was reminded that he's on a salary that he would not get at any other club, playing in a position that he would not be playing at any other club. I've also been told that former Dragons half Ben Hunt found it uncomfortable playing with Kyle. Some players have made comments about enjoying playing on the other side of the field to him. And other players are upset by the number of player of the match awards he's received from the coaching staff. PVL defends son's role in video game group NRL boss Peter V'landys has defended placing his son in a focus group to approve the code's newest video game, which is due to be launched next month. The game, Rugby League 26, is yet to be ticked off on or even promoted, and V'landys makes no apologies for bringing his family into the process. NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo has also been linked to the process, and he is fuming on behalf of both men at questions over their involvement. They see it as an attempt to imply they are overstepping their roles and are going to launch an investigation into how this sensitive information made it into this column. I put information to V'landys and Abdo that detailed the use of focus groups to assess the game, which is due to be launched on July 17. Those with knowledge of the process, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the matter, told this column that V'landys wanted to show the game to his family and have that as part of the rigorous testing process before it could be approved and then launched. 'Persons that are saying this rubbish are either being mischievous or running an agenda,' V'landys said. 'We simply wanted a rigorous analysis by an independent focus group where my son would be one of many as he plays the other sports games. We want the game to be the best in the market, so we want an honest analysis not a confected one.' Abdo said: 'Stakeholder focus group testing is a normal part of the quality control testing process to ensure the best possible user experience.' V'landys considers these kinds of video games to be a big part of growing rugby league, citing the popularity of similar NBA and FIFA games. He explained that video games introduce young people to a sport they may not know a lot about, hopefully creating new fans for the code. We contacted the boss of the company, Big Ant Studios, that has developed the game and put questions to him about the influence of the NRL bosses on the product. Those queries were promptly shut down and I was referred to the NRL. It is fair to say the hunt is now on to discover how this information became public. Bellamy key in Origin III Whatever Craig Bellamy is being paid by the NSW Rugby League, he'll be worth every cent during the next 10 days. He is the man who can help Laurie Daley overcome any post-traumatic Origin syndrome that he may have as he approaches the biggest game of his coaching career. Daley wants this win badly. He has some wrongs to right in Origin and the key for him is to maintain the calm yet inspiring demeanour he has displayed to the players in private. This is very much Daley's Blues team, but don't underestimate the importance of Bellamy and his right-hand man at state and club level, Frank Ponissi, as the Blues get ready for the decider. Bellamy has been in the background and has largely avoided media requests because he knows this is Daley's side. But Bellamy is more attuned to the high pressure and cut and thrust of big games, and the preparation that is required at such times. It is exactly why Daley put his ego aside and made Bellamy the top priority on his coaching staff when he wanted to get the state job back. Daley would not be human if he didn't think about the close calls in his first coaching stint at the Blues, when his team lost narrowly in big games against the greatest Queensland side of all time. Daley won just six of 15 games in that first stint, but many of those losses were heartbreakingly close, and it could easily have been a very different story. Those losses do not sit well with Daley, and as one of the proudest men in Blues history, this is an opportunity for redemption that he does not want to let slip. He will need to channel that in the right way and Bellamy – the coach's coach – has a vital role to play in that. NRL fears record invasion Souths boss Blake Solly will have meetings with Alex Johnston, his manager, Steve Gillis, and the NRL to discuss a range of options to celebrate the Rabbitohs winger's looming try-scoring record. Johnston scored four tries against the Storm last weekend to move to 206, just six shy of Ken Irvine's once seemingly untouchable try-scoring record of 212. He may be closer this morning after the Rabbitohs took on the Dolphins last night. One thing the NRL doesn't want to happen is for fans to run onto the field to celebrate the moment. How they stop that is another matter. Central character I'm not into rappers, but this guy must be a big deal. Central Cee has 15 million followers on Instagram and Bulldogs star Bronson Xerri was quick to post this pic after the match against the Panthers. According to Wikipedia, Cee is UK rapper Oakley Neil Caesar-Su, and he's a big deal. I'll take their word for it. Sorry state of affairs Ryan Hoffman was always an honourable and decent bloke to deal with in the media, but his defence of Billy Slater, while well-meaning, was poorly thought-out. Queensland coach Slater apologised for referencing the late Maroons mentor Paul Green in a press conference where he linked Green's death to public criticism of coaches. He was responding to comments made on radio by Aaron Woods. Hoffman was angry Woods called Slater a grub. But he then upped the name-calling, labelling Woods – his NSW teammate in the Blues' 2014 series victory – a 'coward' on the ABC's Offsiders program. It destroyed his credibility in the argument, giving Woods another victory. There has been some speculation that Slater was advised by Queensland Rugby League boss Ben Ikin to apologise to Green's wife, Amanda. It was coming from good sources, but we have checked it out and have been told it was Slater's idea alone. Which is a good thing, as it shows he is truly sorry for what he said. We have been told the apology was as heartfelt as it gets. Ikin's blue comes up trumps Speaking of Ikin, he got the surprise of his life when he arrived at his Perth hotel for Origin II. The first person he bumped into was NSW coach Laurie Daley, who said, 'What are you doing here?' Ikin had booked himself into the Blues' team hotel. He was one of the few happy guests on Thursday morning after Queensland's surprise 26-24 win. Cobbo backers go quiet The apologists for Selwyn Cobbo have gone quiet in recent times as he embarks on an effort to re-establish his football career at the Dolphins. In fact, his chief cheerleader Gorden Tallis is now suggesting Cobbo and coach Michael Maguire had a personality clash. We will take Tallis at his word regarding Maguire, but it's worth noting that Tallis has it in for Maguire after he sacked him from a job at South Sydney. Maguire chose not to have Tallis as part of his coaching set-up when he took over at the Rabbitohs in late 2011. Tallis had a role at the club before Maguire's arrival. Tallis is the same person who has raged our revelation last year that Cobbo and the Queensland coaching staff were not on the same page. It is worth noting Cobbo has not played for the Maroons since our revelations and is now in the Queensland Cup. When we made those comments about Cobbo, a member of the Queensland coaching staff pulled me aside to say that I didn't understand Indigenous footballers. That was both racist and an admission that things had not gone smoothly in camp for Queensland with Cobbo. Cobbo is an introverted young man who is happier sitting in front of a PlayStation at home than being in the public eye. He is lifted by the love of his family and weighed down by an expectation to provide for them. Now that Tallis is telling the world that Cobbo may not be every coach's cup of tea, it stacks up to the issues we touched on last year. His issues at Queensland are very similar to the ones at the Broncos, in that his commitment to doing the small things that separate good footballers from great ones is not there. It also explains why the Broncos were only willing to offer Cobbo half of his current salary to stay at the club, and they had not prioritised his signing. Cobbo's teammate Billy Walters said publicly that the talented utility back needs to find his love for football again, which is something everybody in the game hopes will happen as he is a rare talent when he is fully focused on the task of being a professional footballer. Will Luai jump back in deep end?

How Queensland toppled the mighty British and Irish Lions in 1971

News.com.au

5 hours ago

News.com.au

How Queensland toppled the mighty British and Irish Lions in 1971

With a pre-match steak from a local pub settling in their stomachs, hope in their eyes and will in their hearts, the 1971 Queensland rugby team played themselves into folklore by beating the British Lions 15-11 at Ballymore. Fifty-four years later Queensland will again play the Lions - on Wednesday at Suncorp Stadium. And each and every member of the current Reds side would do well to take the leaf out of the books from the class of '71 whose deeds against the odds reached sporting miracle status. Back in 1971 the Barry Honan-captained state side arrived at Ballymore for the midweek match after mustering for lunch at the Belfast Hotel where they ingested a steak, potato, salad and also a rousing pre-game speech from coach Bob Templeton. 'Tempo said they (the Lions) are expecting to beat us handsomely, but that this was a fantastic opportunity,'' skipped Honan recalled. 'He said you can play season long for your club and Queensland, but these one-off games, if we won, would be something people would remember for the rest of their lives.'' Queensland fullback Lloyd Graham, a field goal hero after his staggering 55m goal from an angle helped his side win, said while it was backs to the wall stuff, coach Templeton gave the team hope. 'Tempo said we are up against some pretty heavy stuff. But he virtually said if we all buckle down, we can make a game of this and possibly win,'' Graham said. 'We all looked at each other and thought 'that is ridiculous'. 'But by the time we got to Ballymore we had convinced ourselves that we were a chance. 'We couldn't wait to get on the field and see how good we could be. 'And we won it on defence. 'It was a funny thing. We were standing in the showers after the game and we could not believe what we had just done.'' Yet the day had started like any other for the players. Like any other Tom, Dick or Harry, the Queensland players had gone to their workplaces in the morning, unaware by day's end they would be sporting heroes. What a contrast it was for someone like skipper Honan. A schoolteacher, he took a maths class in the morning, but by day's end he was mobbed by a euphoric home crowd who had rushed onto the field to sweep the Queensland heroes away on an emotional magic carpet ride. 'We'd come from work that morning, had our big steak at the Belfast Hotel. We just arrived in individual cars and some of us, well, they tried to lock some of us out at the gate,'' Honan said, in reference to a gatekeeper not recognising one car load of players. The game was a pitched battle, which suited the Queensland forwards of the day just fine. Three penalty goals by winger Jeff McLean, a first half field goal by champion fullback Graham, and then a second, soaring 55m field goal in the second half by Graham was enough to give Queensland the win. It took tons of courage for Queensland to withstand the British battery, time and again, throughout the second half. A rallying Lions were coming to get Queensland in the second half and seemed certain to win, but they never did as the hometown heroes avoided capture due to their daring guts and desperation. After the match Lions captain John Dawes presented Barry Honan with the Lion that a British supporter had purchased in Singapore and handed to the Dawes so the side had a mascot for the tour. 'Up for grabs in the match was the Lion (mascot),'' Honan said. 'It was their official mascot and the idea was their captain John Dawes would present this Lion to the first team on tour to beat them on the tour of New Zealand or in their matches against Queensland and New South Wales. 'Well they did not know at the time that the Lion would last just one game after we had that historic victory.'' Graham believed the Queensland squad had been hardened by a long tour of New Zealand the year before. 'That was when we learnt a lot of things,'' he said. 'Our forwards toughened up. They realised how tough and how strong they had to be and how much defence we needed to do to improve. 'So it probably did not surprise me that we were capable of defending like we did that day against the Lions.'' In the Lions team were champions like Willie John McBride, Mike Gibson, David Duckham, Ian McLauchlan and captain Dawes. Queensland's win that day against the Lions, and then the Queenslanders 1980 victory over the All Blacks, are high tide moments in the code's history in this state. The living members of the Queensland side will be guest of the Australian Rugby Union at Wednesday's match. The Queensland team. Where are they now: 15. Lloyd Graham (GPS): A prodigious kicker, Graham has long retired from his work as an advertising executive and now lives in Brisbane's inner west. He was a big, strong fullback as a runner, but his kicking was out of this world. 'Against the Lions it did not surprise me to see the ball sailing back over my head after Lloydie kicked it,'' said Queensland captain Barry Honan. He kicked it a mile.'' 14. Jeff McLean (Brothers): Now deceased. McLean was 'the best winger in Australia at the time'' and the team goal kicker. 'He was internationally rated,'' Honan praised. 13. Alex Pope (Brothers): Still alive and living in Queensland, Pope was a tremendous defender, Although he had quick hands, it was his defence which stood out. Boy on boy, he was feared in defence. 12. Barry Honan (Brothers): Honan was the team's backline flagship, an Australian representative teammates looked up to. Lloyd Graham said of Honan: 'When I came into the team I said to myself 'stick around this bloke and he will make life easier for me'. Honan lives on the Sunshine Coast. 11. Richard Miller (University): Tall and athletic, Miller was a big winger for his era. He made the Brisbane U19 side after leaving school and improved with more experience. He lives locally in SEQ. 10. Geoff Richardson (Townsville): Living in Brisbane, dual international had no weaknesses in his game. He had played for NSW earlier in his career, but was in North Queensland when he was named for this match. He was simply a remarkable talent. 9. Mick Barry (Brothers): Now deceased, blindside specialist Barry 'was arguably the most underrated rugby player the country has ever seen,'' according to Honan. In his era were NSW champions John Hipwell and Ken Catchpole, so Barry played second fiddle. 'But in his own way he was every bit as good as them,'' Barry said. 'He won more games for Queensland and Brothers than anyone.'' 8. Keith Bell (University) A country boy from the Goondiwindi district, he was a Churchie boarder who played second row in the GPS First XV competition. He was a big, strong bloke, country tough who went on to play prop for Australia on a tour of the British Isles. He still lives on the Sunshine Coast. 7. Mick Flynn (Brothers) Tragically Mick Flynn died aged 23, but the Marist old boy was recognised as the finest flanker of his era. 'He had as much potential as any one around that time. He was a genuine athlete and a great loss. He would have played for Australia.'' 6. Rod Kelleher (Brothers) Kelleher currently lives in New Zealand. He was not a big bloke, but he had 'the heart of a Lion''. 'He was a bloke you learned to hate because he was always in your face tackling you,'' Graham recalled. Honan said Kelleher played above his weight and was a great teammate. 'He was a guts man with no fear,'' Honan said. 5. Stuart Gregory (University) Nick-named the Sandshoe, he lives around the corner from Graham in the inner west. A BBC old boy, he was an athlete who played many years for the Wallabies. He was not a big second rower, but he was a fine sportsman and a grand set piece performer. 4. Alan Skinner (Townsville) Whereabouts unknown, Skinner was named from the Queensland Country side. Like his second row mate Gregory, Skinner was no giant, but he was tall enough and a fine athlete with a high work rate. A former business executive, Skinner also represented NSW. 3. David Dunworth (Brothers) Now living on the Sunshine Coast, the Gregory Terrace old boy and former real estate agent had surprising speed for a big prop. 2. Mick Freney (Brothers) Freney was a noted improver the more his career unfolded. He was not a schoolboy prodigy - indeed he played Second XV at Nudgee - but the more he played, the better he got. 'To the point where he was good enough to play for Australia,'' Honan said. 1. Bruce Brown (University) An accountant, he was a front row tradesman notorious for his high work ethic. He was a veteran by the time the Lions match was played, having first represented Queensland in 1965. Reserves: Jules Guerassimoff (University) A breakaway still living locally, Guerassimoff was a magnificent competitor who was the elder statesman of the squad having first represented Queensland 10 years earlier. A Wallaby, he was a legend of his era, a hard worker who was a great mentor to younger players. Stan Pilecki (Wests) Now deceased, the ex-draftsman known as the 'Pole'' had broken into the Queensland side on the tour of New Zealand 12 months earlier. He was a front row giant, a man with hands the size of wicket keeper gloves who contributed in all forward phases. Honan described him as a player who would 'scare the life out of the opposition'' before a match even started. John Corness (Teachers-Norths) A farmer from New Zealand, Corness broke into representative football representing the Queensland Country side in 1968 and worked his way into the Queensland squad where he was a fine halfback. 'If Mick Barry was not around, he would have played a lot more for Queensland,'' praised Honan. David L'Estrange (Brothers) Still playing touch football, L'Estrange had lovely hands and good speed as a fullback and then as a centre. Nicknamed Lizard, he was a stylish player of his era who represented Queensland and Australia with distinction. He was also a noted defender. British Lions team: 15. R Hiller, 14. A Biggar, 13. J Dawes, 12. J Spencer, 11. D Duckman, 10. M. Gibson, 9 R Hopkins, 8. P Dixon, 7. F Slattery, 6. D Quinnell, 5. W McBridge, 4. G Brown, 3. F Lynch, 2. F Laidlaw, 1. J McLoughlin. Reserves: A Lewis, G Edwards, J Pullin, M Roberts

The 19 reasons NSW have the edge over Maroons before Origin III

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Even Flanno's backers are deserting him as pressure mounts over handling of son Kyle

Even Flanno's backers are deserting him as pressure mounts over handling of son Kyle

How Queensland toppled the mighty British and Irish Lions in 1971

The 19 reasons NSW have the edge over Maroons before Origin III

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Even Flanno's backers are deserting him as pressure mounts over handling of son Kyle

Even Flanno's backers are deserting him as pressure mounts over handling of son Kyle

How Queensland toppled the mighty British and Irish Lions in 1971

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