True Blues Peter Sterling and Boyd Cordner were announced tonight (Monday 18 May) as the latest inductees into the NSWRL Hall of Fame in front of almost 500 guests at The Star Event Centre in Pyrmont.
The showpiece event was attended by Westpac NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley and the Westpac NSW Blues, Westpac NSW Blues Women’s coach John Strange, who last week steered the Westpac NSW Blues Women to back-to-back Ampol Women’s State of Origin series, NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden, NSWRL Chair Carolyn Campbell, the NSWRL Board, and almost 100 True Blues.
True Blue and Hall of Famer Harry Wells, aged 94, who played 26 games for his state between 1952-61 winning seven series, was also a special guest after making the trip down from Port Macquarie. He was joined by other Hall of Famers Danny Buderus, Ron Coote, Daley, Ben Elias, Andrew Johns and Steve Roach.
“The annual True Blues dinner is a signature event on the NSWRL calendar as it brings together different generations of players who have donned the mighty sky blue jersey for their state,” NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden said.
“There is plenty of excitement around the Westpac NSW Blues with the squad being named today, and we also get a chance to acknowledge the performance of the Westpac NSW Blues Women, who last week showed tremendous resolve and determination to go back-to-back in the Ampol Women’s State of Origin series.
“One of the core values of the NSWRL is legacy and we were fortunate tonight to be joined by 94-year-old True Blue Harry Wells, who made the trip down from the mid-north coast. I am sure that every other True Blue here tonight appreciated the chance to catch up with him.
“We also inducted two legendary True Blues into the NSWRL Hall of Fame in Peter Sterling and Boyd Cordner, who always gave everything any time they pulled on the jumper for their state and thoroughly deserve their place alongside our other champions.”
Sterling, 65, duelled with fellow Hall of Famer Steve Mortimer for the coveted NSW No.7 jersey during the 1980s and went on to make 13 appearances for his state. A halfback who possessed an immaculate kicking game, was a shrewd tactician, a great defender and a tremendous ball player, Sterling had the distinction of playing in the first 3-0 series win for NSW in 1986.
The dual Dally M medallist also captained the Blues on one occasion, for the historic exhibition State of Origin match in Los Angeles in 1987, won by NSW.
Cordner, 33, was a tough-as-teak back-rower who put his body on the line with his tough carries, was fearless in defence and knew how to score a try. He played 16 games for NSW, with his greatest achievement coming in 2018-19 when he captained his state to back-to-back series wins, before he elected to retire for medical reasons in 2021.
He was the youngest player to captain NSW to a series victory since Brad Fittler in 1996.
The NSWRL Hall of Fame includes the 11 Immortals and 25 other players who have represented their state with distinction.
The qualification for the NSWRL The Star Hall of Fame is:
a) The player must have played 10 games or more for NSW; or, alternatively, the player must have captained NSW; and
b) The player must have also played for Australia: and
c) The player must also have been retired for at least five seasons.
