Newtown Rugby League Football Club - 1908-2008

Hear Arthur and Tommy relive the moment that Origin was born - 8 July 1980.

Book now! Don't miss your chance to hear Tommy and Arthur Together on stage, telling the inside story of that first state-against-state mate-against-mate contest at Lang Park. Read the Courier Mail article of 9 July 1980: Thanks a million, Artie

Date

30 October 2008

Venue

Bowlers Club
95 York St, Sydney

Time

7.00pm for 7.30pm

Cost

$80 per head
[includes show, meal, beer, wine, soft drinks]

RSVP 28 October

Stuart McCarthy
0447 046 516
stuartmccarthy@undercovermusic.com.au

Details of the First Origin

Venue: Lang Park
Date: July 8 1980
Referee: Billy Thompson
Crowd: 33 210
Man of the Match: Chris Close (Qld)

Footnote by the World of Rugby League Webmaster to the reprint of the Courier Mail article

"This match started off a great institution and [28] years on, State of Origin is now one the most anticipated moments in the Rugby League calendar. There were two interstate matches played before the inaugural State of Origin game: NSW won both games 35-3 (at Lang Park) and 17-7 (at Leichhardt Oval). The late great Ron McAuliffe, then QRL chairman, is accustomed to being the creative force behind the concept. McAuliffe vigorously pushed the idea to the NSWRL and they (eventually) agreed to play the third game of 1980 under State of Origin rules. The rest, as they say, is history."