Members of the triumphant 2005 NSW team joined current Blues players in the middle of Accor Stadium on Monday night, watching Origin highlights from both eras on the big screen before realising a number of uncanny similarities between the two sides.
For starters, Nathan Cleary is a future immortal like halfback Andrew Johns. Dylan Edwards is a workhorse fullback in the mould of Anthony Minichiello.
Mark Gasnier and Matt Cooper were a tall, powerful centre combination much like Latrell Mitchell and Stephen Crichton. Angus Crichton and Liam Martin are two country boys who give their all on an edge โ just like Craig Fitzgibbon. The No.14s, Craig Wing and now Connor Watson, both played with the Sydney Roosters.
The 2005 team won the previous series in 2004 before they triumphed in the 2005 decider. The current Blues regained the shield in 2024 and are looking to extend their reign in game three next Wednesday.
Each series featured a stirring Blues comeback that fell just short: the 2005 side fought back from 19-0 down in game one to lead 20-19 only to lose in golden point, while the 2025 Blues rallied from 26-6 down to be pipped 26-24 in Perth a few weeks ago.
Class of 2005 alumni Danny Buderus, Andrew Ryan, Matt King, Gasnier, Steve Simpson, Steve Menzies, Nathan Hindmarsh, Wing and Anthony Watmough were all in attendance, along with several former staffers including long-serving trainer, physio and doctor Ronnie Palmer, Liz Street and John Orchard.
The 2005 and 2025 NSW Blues get together on Monday night.Credit: Grant Trouville/NRL Images
King, now Daleyโs assistant coach, spoke about the eerie similarities between the sides โ including the tight bond within the respective groups.
โConnection is everything,โ King said. โOur team had it, now this group has it โ and itโs exciting knowing that connection is being re-created again.
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