Wynnum Manly Halfback Terry Saunders knew he was never going to pass his fitness test after gaining selection as halfback for the State of Origin
Terry Saunders was never going to pass the medical for last Tuesday night’s State of Origin rugby league match, but who could blame him for trying. After all, the maroon jersey had eluded him for the interstate series despite impressive form for Brisbane and South Queensland. Saunders has taken those disappointments well and has bounced back with outstanding performances for his club, Wynnum-Manly.
State of Origin selector, Jack Reardon was at Kougari Oval, last Sunday and liked what he saw of the 22-year-old half’s game against Wests. Saunders had played for only 58 minutes before leaving the field with a shoulder injury.
He had scored one of his scintillating tries front the scrum base to take his tally for the season to 13 – two more than second leading try scorer in the in Brisbane division, Bruce Astill. But the writing was on the wall last Sunday night that Saunders would not make his debut for Queensland. He was left out of the Wynnum Manly side to play Valleys this Sunday – to allow him to fully recover from the shoulder injury.
When the Wynnum selectors heard Saunders’ name in the Queensland team, they conferred with the little half about the injury. “I’ll be right,” Saunders told the selectors and they hurriedly put him back into first grade so as not to affect his chances of playing for the state. The gesture was to make no difference.
Footnote: It is now history that Norths Devils Ross Henrick, was chosen as Saunders replacement at halfback for the interstate series and played a major role Queensland’s magnificent win.
Story Source: The Courier Mail 1981
Photo Source: The Wynnum Manly Rugby League Football Club
