Forty-four years ago to the day, a young, nervous Mal Meninga ran onto Lang Park determined to do his state proud and not let Queensland down.
On his 20th birthday -- happy birthday big fella from the FOGS and Queensland fans -- and in the company of the great Arthur Beetson, Meninga toe-poked a perfect seven-from-seven with the boot to launch a phenomenon now known as State of Origin.
Meninga knew the experiment was hugely important, but he and others who took the field that night had no concept of the sporting contest they were giving birth to on July 8, 1980.
Asked on his 64th birthday if he remembered what he was doing 44 years ago, Meninga quipped: “Probably laying on my bed in my hotel room feeling very, very nervous,” FOG #4 told Fogs.com.au
“My feet would have been dangling over the end of the single bed and I would have been trying to have a bit of a sleep before the game.”
“I remember none of us wanted to let Arthur Beetson and our state down.
Meninga said the players all knew it was important to Beetson and Queensland Rugby League boss, Senator Ron McAuliffe and coach John McDonald that they go out and play really well against a NSW side that had dominated interstate games using Queensland's best players.
“It was a concept which had been in the wind for a while but without those three men, Origin would probably not be what it is today,” said Meninga.
“We just followed Artie (Beetson). We didn’t want to let those three men down but we had no idea of the phenomenon Origin would become.”
Beetson, whom McAuliffe plucked out of reserve grade to lead Queensland, had a “Jordanesque” aura about him according to Meninga.
“Just his actions. When Artie spoke you sat and listened. Cracker (the late John McDonald) was good and the Senator was the Senator with his “every man has to do his job” speech.
“We knew the responsibility of what we were going into and putting on the maroon jersey and playing for Queensland resonated with me and the other players.
“At the end of the day, we didn’t want to let Beetson or the jersey down.”
Meninga said his part in helping create history in 1980 was not filled with memories despite scoring Origin's first points and kicking a perfect seven-from-seven with the boot.
“I remember how enjoyable the night was but to be honest, I don’t remember a lot else,” he said.
“We were announced individually as we ran onto the field but I don’t remember too much about the game.
“We did have a few bonding sessions staying in the Melbourne Hotel in south Brisbane.
“We got given Adidas runners and our sponsors were Stubbies, which is a lot different to how the players are outfitted today.
Meninga, who eventually wore the maroon jumper 32 times and coached Queensland to 20 match wins from 30 games, said while NSW won easily in Melbourne to level the series, he believed Queensland could win at Suncorp next week.
“Queensland weren’t at their best in game two but back at home in front of a full house, I have every faith Billy will present the team in a way that is going to do Queensland proud,” he said.