When a rivalry lasts over 140 years, it’s only natural to see players cross state boundaries and don opposite colours. NSW v Queensland is no different.
The Waratahs and Reds will write the latest chapter of Australia’s oldest sporting battle on Friday, a perfect way to begin the celebrations of 30 years of Super Rugby.
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Within this period lies a storied history of players crossing the Tweed and playing for the team they once despised.
50-cap Wallabies hooker Michael Foley helped the Reds to the inaugural Super Rugby victory over the Waratahs, a 15-13 win, having grown up in Sydney before the emergence of Phil Kearns saw him head north.
The Waratahs hit straight back when they nabbed Queensland icon and former Wallabies captain Jason Little to play in the sky blue against his former side, and brother-in-law David Wilson, whose kids have both pulled on the Waratahs jersey.
Code-converters Wendall Sailor and Lote Tuqiri both played Origin for the Maroons but pulled on the sky blue to the ire of those who once saw them yell ‘Queenslander.’ Sailor, in particular, drew plenty of attention after his move in 2006 following 47 appearances for the Reds.
Chris Latham, Drew Mitchell, Morgan Turinui, Kane Douglas, Bryce Hegarty, Rob Simmons, Karmichael Hunt, Izaia Perese, Taniela Tupou. Players linked with the history of both sides as Super Rugby has involved.
This extends well into Super W as well, with Anabelle Codey, Lori Cramer, Eva Karpani and Layne Morgan all making the switch.
The Codey family is perhaps the most symbolic of NSW-Queensland converts, with David playing for both states within a six-week period, first in the sky blue before moving north for work.
“The word ‘traitor’ was thrown about, but nothing too damaging,” Codey told Rugbycomau in 2022.”
Now, it’s the chance for a new generation of state swappers to make their mark and their own history.
The Brial name is synonymous with NSW and the small town of Narrabri, which has become a regular host of trials between the two teams and the Santos Festival of Rugby.
Michael Brial was a part of that first Super Rugby season 30 years ago and captained the side, yet he will have divided loyalties as his son Joe turns out for Queensland in the back row.
The 24-year-old is a lone ranger of sorts in the family, with younger brother Toby flying the NSW flag in Super Rugby Next Gen against Queensland on Sunday.
“[Playing Waratahs in Sydney] is always one on my calendar that I’m looking forward to…there’s a lot of emotion behind it,” he told Rugby.com.au
“I have probably 20 to 30 family members at the game so it's definitely one that I look forward to.”
Angus Blyth is another to cross the line. Blyth grew up in Kingscliff and played his Rugby on the Gold Coast before joining the Reds.
Blyth infamously shaved ‘REDS’ into his hair for the 2020 Super Rugby AU Final, but was delighted to return home.
“I remember when Taniela came when he left the Reds and I was going, ‘Oh no, now I have to tackle him.’ But I'm looking forward to locking horns with those guys,” he said and laughed.
“It's really exciting because these are my close mates of eight years. Someone like Tate [McDermott], even like Fraser [McReight] and ‘Wilso’ [Harry Wilson] coming up when they were in their 20s and then joined the main Reds squad.”
Reds skipper McReight has seen plenty of his ex-teammates make the switch, with fellow Brothers title-winner Lawson Creighton named at ten after his shift last year.
He got a taste of facing his good mates during the trial at the end of last month and was excited for round two after the heavy 49-19 loss.
“‘It was pretty funny, me and ‘Blythy’ were talking beforehand and he’s such a character, he makes me giggle, and I’ve tackled Lawson few times and got him at the bottom of the ruck and tried to elbow him but that’s the beauty of Rugby,” McReight believes.
“You make these friendships and spend a lot of time with people and you see them move on and do really well. It’s like old times, not much has changed and I’m really looking forward to round one.”
For his fellow back-rower Brial, it’s a familiar feeling, holding the unique history of playing for the Australia Schoolboys and New Zealand U20s.
But he knows any hostilities remain on the field as the two states battle for supremacy.
“It is always interesting but at the end of the day, some of them are good friends, but the longer you're playing your mates, it just adds another level, and it's always, it's a bit of fun,” he believes.
“So, although they're on the other team, we’ll be mates at the end of the day and it’s good to get stuck into them.”
“I think once you step over that white line, it's all about Queensland versus New South Wales, it's back to winning, and how can you win a rugby game is by performing your job as an individual for the team, and doing it as best and as high as possible,” McReight added.
