When New South Wales was defeated in the first State of Origin match in 1980, the side wearing the sky blue at Lang Park included Steve Edge as number 12 and Michael Cronin landing two from three goals.
In the next three decades they were joined in Origin folklore by Ray Price, Brett Kenny, Eric Grothe and Eric Grothe Junior, Peter Sterling, Steve Ella, Peter Wynn, Michael Vella, and Nathan Hindmarsh.
And tonight at ANZ Stadium, Eels fullback Jarryd Hayne makes his seventeenth appearance for the New South Wales Blues against the most dominant generation of Maroons in Origin history.
With only two appearances in the sky blue fullback jersey, Hayne will be looking for his first win from the NSW custodian's position.
And even more so, New South Wales fans are hungry to break the seven year drought and reclaim the Origin shield.
The Maroons boast the most intimidating spine in representative footy with captain Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk, and an apparently recovered - from a 'mystery virus' - Johnathan Thurston.
Meanwhile the Blues' strength sits firmly in their forward pack, on the shoulders of James Tamou and the tireless Paul Gallen, Luke Lewis, Ryan Hoffman, Greg Bird and Robbie Farah.
All six are familiar with the Kangaroos jersey, while bolters Andrew Fifita and Josh Reynolds will sit alongside veteran Anthony Watmough and relative newcomer Trent Merrin on the bench.
And while Queensland's line-up is almost identical to 2012, the Blues will be placing their faith in the combination of Farah, Hayne, Mitchell Pearce and debutant James Maloney to spark the New South Wales attack.
Parramatta Eels coach Ricky Stuart brought the Blues within one heartbreaking field goal of victory last year, and his successor Laurie Daley will attempt to better the effort in 2013.
Aside from his high-profile decision to add Josh Reynolds rather than John Sutton to the bench, Daley's preparation has been relatively low-key, but Sydney has picked up the slack, with Blues fans rushing to buy tickets to the series opener, and the Vivid Festival organisers even helping to turn the Sydney Harbour Bridge blue.
The Parramatta Eels will be at the match to update our fans on every play, and to support Jarryd as he looks to topple the mighty Maroons.
Up the Blues!
Jarryd Hayne
Brett Morris
Michael Jennings
Josh Morris
Blake Ferguson
James Maloney
Mitchell Pearce
Paul Gallen (c)
Robbie Farah
James Tamou
Ryan Hoffman
Luke Lewis
Greg Bird
Interchange:
Anthony Watmough
Andrew Fifita
Trent Merrin
Josh Reynolds
Billy Slater
Darius Boyd
Greg Inglis
Justin Hodges
Brent Tate
Johnathan Thurston
Cooper Cronk
Matt Scott
Cameron Smith (c)
David Shillington
Nate Myles
Sam Thaiday
Ashley Harrison
Interchange:
Corey Parker
Matt Gillett
Ben Teo
Chris McQueen
In the next three decades they were joined in Origin folklore by Ray Price, Brett Kenny, Eric Grothe and Eric Grothe Junior, Peter Sterling, Steve Ella, Peter Wynn, Michael Vella, and Nathan Hindmarsh.
And tonight at ANZ Stadium, Eels fullback Jarryd Hayne makes his seventeenth appearance for the New South Wales Blues against the most dominant generation of Maroons in Origin history.
With only two appearances in the sky blue fullback jersey, Hayne will be looking for his first win from the NSW custodian's position.
And even more so, New South Wales fans are hungry to break the seven year drought and reclaim the Origin shield.
The Maroons boast the most intimidating spine in representative footy with captain Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk, and an apparently recovered - from a 'mystery virus' - Johnathan Thurston.
Meanwhile the Blues' strength sits firmly in their forward pack, on the shoulders of James Tamou and the tireless Paul Gallen, Luke Lewis, Ryan Hoffman, Greg Bird and Robbie Farah.
All six are familiar with the Kangaroos jersey, while bolters Andrew Fifita and Josh Reynolds will sit alongside veteran Anthony Watmough and relative newcomer Trent Merrin on the bench.
And while Queensland's line-up is almost identical to 2012, the Blues will be placing their faith in the combination of Farah, Hayne, Mitchell Pearce and debutant James Maloney to spark the New South Wales attack.
Parramatta Eels coach Ricky Stuart brought the Blues within one heartbreaking field goal of victory last year, and his successor Laurie Daley will attempt to better the effort in 2013.
Aside from his high-profile decision to add Josh Reynolds rather than John Sutton to the bench, Daley's preparation has been relatively low-key, but Sydney has picked up the slack, with Blues fans rushing to buy tickets to the series opener, and the Vivid Festival organisers even helping to turn the Sydney Harbour Bridge blue.
The Parramatta Eels will be at the match to update our fans on every play, and to support Jarryd as he looks to topple the mighty Maroons.
Up the Blues!
VB New South Wales Blues:
Jarryd Hayne
Brett Morris
Michael Jennings
Josh Morris
Blake Ferguson
James Maloney
Mitchell Pearce
Paul Gallen (c)
Robbie Farah
James Tamou
Ryan Hoffman
Luke Lewis
Greg Bird
Interchange:
Anthony Watmough
Andrew Fifita
Trent Merrin
Josh Reynolds
XXXX Queensland Maroons
Billy Slater
Darius Boyd
Greg Inglis
Justin Hodges
Brent Tate
Johnathan Thurston
Cooper Cronk
Matt Scott
Cameron Smith (c)
David Shillington
Nate Myles
Sam Thaiday
Ashley Harrison
Interchange:
Corey Parker
Matt Gillett
Ben Teo
Chris McQueen
