Boys light up: The country bush kids on Origin stage

Bush footy has long been viewed as the lifeblood of rugby league in Australia and the tale continues today with an impressive line-up of country stars set to contribute to the Origin arena on Wednesday night. 

The battle between states has not only revived a hunger of Origin for the game’s biggest talent, but has provided a renewed passion to the plethora of country towns whose local stars have made their way to succeed in the big smoke.

Former Blues five-eighth Laurie Daley, who coached NSW in five Origin series, knows this better than most, growing up in one of the Riverina’s proudest bush footy towns, Junee.

“When you’re playing for NSW not only are you representing your state but you’re representing where you’re from, your town and community and that’s what makes State of Origin so great,” Daley, the highest capped Country Origin player, told NRL.com.

“I certainly know as a country boy, you take great delight in playing for Country, State and representing the people in the bush.

I think it’s amazing how the country boys like to stick together and it’s always great to see some boys from the bush in the Origin sides.

NSW Blues great Laurie Daley

It is a novelty for some, but Daley grew up in a community which still holds just over six thousand people. He’s experienced first-hand the special feeling that can come of having an entire community throwing its support behind you.

“Because they’re only small communities in the country, you know most of the people in the town and they know you or your family,” he said.

“You know everyone will be watching and you know everybody’s got your back, supportive of you and want to see you do well.”

While rugby league is the beating heart of many bush towns across both states, Daley is adamant that the representation of country players is paramount to keeping the game alive in these precious communities.

“Once the little kids from those towns identify those players and realise they’re from the same place, it resonates with them. They have a very strong connection with them and they follow that player’s career,” he said.

“They know they played at the same oval and went to the same school; they know everything about that player because they can relate with them and that’s really important for bush footy to keep the game strong in country towns.”

From Dubbo to Dingo, here’s Australia’s outback stars ready to set Suncorp Stadium alight in the decider.

Queensland

Selwyn Cobbo - Cherbourg, QLD

The flying 20-year-old Maroons winger was born in the Aboriginal community of Cherbourg, southeast Queensland. Cobbo grew up playing for the Cherbourg Hornets, before becoming the first Indigenous school captain at Murgon State High in the 75-year history of the school. Not many towns will be cheering louder than Cherbourg on Wednesday night.

Cameron Munster – Rockhampton, QLD

Munster was born in Rockhampton, Queensland — a strong town with a rich history. Munster played his junior rugby league for the North Knights at five-eighth and inspired his under 16s and 18s teams to premierships. Although he won't feature for the Maroons on Wednesday night due to COVID-19, the 27-year-old is on track to being one of the greatest players to come from a country region and consistently perform on the Origin stage. 

Ben Hunt – Blackwater, QLD

Born in Rockhampton, Ben Hunt grew up in Dingo, a small town in Central Queensland with a population of just 340 people. Hunt played junior rugby league with the Blackwater Crushers, where he predominantly featured as a hooker, before attending St. Brendan's College in Yeppoon (where Origin teammate Harry Grant is from). Hunt made his debut with the Brisbane Broncos in 2009 at just 19-years-old.

Tino Fa'asuamaleaui - Gympie, QLD

While he was born in Orange, NSW, Fa’asuamaleaui moved to the 750-person town of Widgee, just outside Gympie at a young age. The 22-year-old Titans captain played his junior rugby league for the Gympie Devils and was later signed by the Brisbane Broncos as a teenager.

New South Wales

Isaah Yeo – Dubbo, NSW

Born and raised in Dubbo, star second-rower Isaah Yeo is the son of former North Sydney Bears and Balmain Tigers player Justin Yeo. Yeo (Isaah) played his junior football for the St Johns, Dubbo and Dubbo CYMS, before being signed by the Penrith Panthers and progressing through the ranks there.

Matt Burton – Dubbo, NSW

In a similar fashion to Yeo, Origin II star Matt Burton was born in Dubbo and played junior rugby league for St Johns, Dubbo and Dubbo CYMS in the Group 11 competition. Burton made his debut for the Panthers in 2019 before moving to the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs this year, where he has continued to shine.

Liam Martin – Temora, NSW

Hailing from Temora, Martin went to school at West Wyalong High School but has called Penrith home since joining the Panthers SG Ball squad in 2015. Cousin of former NRL footballer Trent Barrett, Martin played for the Temora Dragons in his junior years.

Angus Crichton – Young, NSW

Crichton played junior rugby league for the Young Cherrypickers. Crichton moved to Sydney in his high school years to attend the Scots College where he played for the Australian Schoolboys rugby union team. Crichton later returned to rugby league, coming through South Sydney’s pathways system before making his NRL debut for the Rabbitohs in 2016.