Best State of Origin Debuts

<p>Representing your state is widely considered to be the highest honour that can be bestowed upon a rugby league player.</p> <p>While getting selected for Origin is one thing, delivering on the big stage is another.</p> <p>Some falter, some thrive, and some become legends. But there are only a select few who get it right the very first time.</p> <p>Not all of the players on this list went on to have legendary representative careers, but things couldn’t have started much better for them in the Origin arena.</p> <p>Below are the best State of Origin Debuts for both New South Wales and Queensland.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Best NSW Debuts</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Brett Hodgson (Game 1, 2002)</strong></em></p> <p>Legendary fullback Brett Hodgson’s time in the Origin arena is probably best remembered for two meme-worthy incidents.</p> <p>First, he was the victim of Gordon Tallis’ famous jersey sling tackle. Then he threw the infamous intercept to Darren Lockyer, ending NSW’s Origin streak and starting QLD’s decade of dominance.</p> <p>People probably don’t remember that he had one of, if not the best, debuts in State of Origin history.</p> <p>Hodgson made his interstate bow in Game 1 of the 2002 series and finished with a stats card that read like the “big kid in under 12s” – a try, a try assist, six line breaks, 14 tackle breaks and 390 run metres. No, the stats guy’s cat didn’t accidentally run across the keyboard; he really did all that in one game.</p>

<p><em><strong>Anthony Minichiello (Game 1, 2003)</strong></em></p> <p>Another NSW fullback who shone on debut for the Blues is Roosters’ legend, Anthony Minichiello.</p> <p>Mini enjoyed a prolific career at both club and representative levels, and he set the tone for things to come from the very start of his rep career.</p> <p>Making his debut in the 2003 series opener, Minichiello crossed for a brace, making 11 tackle breaks and running for over 200 metres in the process.</p> <p>This helped NSW secure a rare win at Suncorp Stadium and laid the platform for a NSW series win.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Brian To’o (Game 1, 2021)</strong></em></p> <p>Outside backs seem to enjoy debuting for NSW. Another flyer who thrived from the jump is metre eater and current Blues’ winger Brian To’o.</p> <p>Pulling on the Blues jersey for the first time in 2021, the Penrith winger didn’t let the occasion get to him. “Bizza” bagged two tries and topped his sides tally for run metres, post-contact metres and line breaks.</p> <p>NSW would go on to win the match and the series, and To’o was a big reason why.</p>

<p><em><strong>Les Davidson (Game 1, 1987)</strong></em></p> <p>One for all the oldies out there. Travelling all the way back to 1987, renowned hardman Les Davidson made his debut for the Blues and boy, was it one to remember.</p> <p>He became one of only two players to win Man of the Match honours in his maiden Origin game.</p> <p>The fiery Bunnies' big man had a blinder in the middle of the park, offloading at will, making over 30 tackles, and even jagging a try to help his side to a 20-16 win over their bitter rivals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Best QLD Debuts</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Gary Belcher (Game 2, 1986)</strong></em></p> <p>Kicking things off for QLD and their crop of instant hits is legendary fullback, Gary Belcher.</p> <p>One in a long line of decorated QLD No.1s, Belcher was thrown straight into the deep end for his Origin debut.</p> <p>Forced to make his bow in Game 2 of the 1986 series, QLD had lost the opening game of the series and needed to win to keep the series alive.</p> <p>Although they ultimately lost the match and conceded the series, debutant Belcher did everything he could to fight the dying light.</p> <p>He recorded over 300 run metres, 17 tackle breaks, five offloads, and three line-break assists, setting the tone for what would be an illustrious career in the Maroons jersey</p>

<p><em><strong>Billy Moore (Game 3, 1992)</strong></em></p> <p>There might be no one more synonymous with QLD than Billy Moore. He was more than just a man shouting in a tunnel, though; he always backed it up on the field.</p> <p>No more so than in his Origin debut. Moore took the term “workhorse” to a whole new level in his first outing for Queensland.</p> <p>The big man made 48 tackles and took 20 runs. He even capped off his inaugural Origin shift with a meat pie. QUEENSLANDER indeed.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em><strong>Cameron Munster (Game 3, 2017)</strong></em></p> <p>From a former QLD hero to a current one, Maroons' current main man Cameron Munster has been delivering for the Cane Toads from day one.</p> <p>For someone deputising for an injured Johnathan Thurston in a Game 3 decider, Munster was alarmingly assured.</p> <p>He guided QLD to yet another series win at Suncorp Stadium, and since getting his hands on that famous Maroons jersey, he is yet to release it from his grip.</p>

<p><em><strong>Harry Grant (Game 3, 2020)</strong></em></p> <p>Rounding out our list of day-one wonders is dynamic dummy half Harry Grant.</p> <p>All Grant needed was 27 minutes off the bench to forever etch his name into Queensland and State of Origin folklore.</p> <p>The Storm hooker was injected into the Game 3 decider of the 2020 series and completely changed the match's complexion.</p> <p>In those 27 minutes, he made more linebreaks than anyone on the field, made the second most tackles for his side and scored the match and series-sealing try for QLD.</p> <p>Not bad for someone on his interstate debut, with only 17 games of NRL experience to his name.&nbsp;</p>