BRENT Tate and Matt Cooper were “On The Road to Origin” in Tamworth on Saturday.
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The former Origin stars, still heavily involved with rugby league as NRL ambassadors, stopped off at the Tamworth Minor League Fields on Riverside for a bit of a BBQ and get- together with the young (and old) rugby league players and supporters.
It might have been a bit wet and windy but the two former NRL stars were only too willing to have happy snaps, sign autographs and have a run around with a few West Lions, Quirindi Grasshoppers and Manilla Tigers.
West Lions Junior Rugby League Club also received $1000 from Holden as part of the Holden Home Ground Advantage program.
For Cooper and Tate, State Of Origin is a wonderful time of year.
They have many great memories of the various games and series they played in.
Tate, 34, was born in Roma (home of the late Arthur Beetson and Australian great Darren Lockyer) and played 23 games for Queensland, as well as 229 NRL games for the Brisbane Broncos, NZ Warriors and North Queensland Cowboys as well 26 Tests for Australia.
One game, amongst many great games, stands out for Tate.
“I played the final State of Origin in 2006,” he said.
“That kicked off our nine straight series wins.
“That night in Melbourne was one I will never forget.”
He said the friendships and bonds made from those State Of Origins are everlasting.
Saturday was his first time in Tamworth and he was preparing for a tough “test” for his Cowboys that night.
“I still do a lot of work with the NRL, Queensland and the Cowboys,” he said.
“Tonight will be a big test for our depth (St George Illawarra Dragons beat the Cowboys 14-10 in Wollongong).”
Winning the NRL premiership last year was a great result for the Cowboys club and watching the likes of Johnathan Thurston repeat those heights so far again this season has been “amazing”.
“He’s an immortal in waiting,” Tate said of the Cowboy and Queensland superstar.
Cooper, 37, was born in Port Kembla and played all his NRL career with St George.
He played 13 State Of Origins for NSW and seven Tests for Australia.
The centre has been in Tamworth a number of times, especially with the charity Hogs On Tour motorbike ride.
He and Tate have been on a two-week tour promoting the Holden Road to Origin.
“We’ve had a great response everywhere we’ve been.
“It’s great to see so many kids out and playing rugby league.”
He played all of his 14 NRL seasons at St George and rates their 2010 grand final triumph as the highlight of his career.
“Nothing better than that,” he said on Saturday.
“But I’ve had some great memories.
“Playing Origin was a highlight too.
“Winning the 2004 and 2005 series was a big highlight for me and getting to play for Australia too.”
He’s extremely proud of all those achievements and will be cheering on the NSW Blues Wednesday night.
“They’ve picked the right squad,” he said.
“I would have licked to have seen Darren Frizell still there though.
“I would have him in my starting second row.
“His form warranted it and he’s a very good player, very strong, very quick too.”
