THE YEAR THAT WAS | Boyd Cordner
Boyd Cordner has already achieved what some can only dream of in rugby league having experienced the ultimate victory at club, state and Test match level.
To do that all again in 2019, and for a second time as captain, the 27-year-old has all but sealed his place among the most esteemed leaders of the modern game.
With another State of Origin series win, a second consecutive NRL Premiership and a Test match victory over tier one nation New Zealand, all within one calendar year, Cordner accomplished a triple-crown that no NSW captain has achieved before him.
Even after lifting the State of Origin shield for the second time in as many years, Cordner’s end to a stellar season only spoke for itself as he led the Sydney Roosters to back-to-back premierships - breaking a 26-year drought, and was again named as Australian captain for Test matches against the Kiwis and Tonga Invitational.
Season Highlight
Preliminary Final v Storm – 14-6 W
As is usually the case with a player of Boyd Cordner’s ilk, his season-best form came to the fore at the business end of the season.
Cordner’s standout display against minor premiers the Melbourne Storm was no different - in just his second 80-minute game after a stint on the side-lines following a brutal Origin campaign.
His fitness was questioned in the lead-up to the Grand Final qualifier after leaving the field early in the Roosters’ dominant victory over South Sydney a fortnight prior, but Cordner dispelled those concerns with his best performance of 2019.
Cordner was utilised as a key attacking weapon throughout the 2019 finals series, and it continued to show when he opened the scoring in the 14th minute, making it his second try in two games.
Known for his direct ball-running style, the Eastern Suburbs captain showed another element to his game with plenty of lateral movement to bend the Melbourne line, proving too hard to handle for the Storm on this occasion.
Coming off a game-high two line-breaks in the first week of finals, Cordner also produced one against Melbourne, which was again a stat-leading tally in a victory built on defence.
Cordner went on to record five tackle-breaks from 159 run metres, including 56 post-contact, and made 21 tackles in a performance where the serial winner would simply not allow any opposition to stop him from making a third Grand Final appearance.
Representative Highlight
Oceania Cup International v New Zealand - 26-4 W
Since taking over from Greg Inglis as Australian captain in October last year, one accomplishment had still eluded Boyd Cordner as leader of his country.
A Test match victory over his trans-Tasman rivals.
His first foray into Test captaincy did not go as planned in 2018 when the Kiwis staged a dramatic 2nd-half comeback to secure the win, but this year’s result was quite the opposite as the Kangaroos captain became the first New South Welshman to earn Australian rugby league’s captaincy treble.
The Australians were dominant from the opening whistle in their 26-4 victory at WIN Stadium, and it was a fitting way for Cordner to cap off a memorable season that has seen him continue to develop as a leading figure on the field.
Standout Achievement
Back to back... Twice
One piece of history that Boyd Cordner created in 2019 should not be understated in all but solidifying his leadership credentials.
After the final siren on Grand Final night, Cordner had lifted both the State of Origin shield and premiership trophy for the second time in consecutive seasons, a feat that no dual club and state captain has accomplished since the inception of State of Origin.
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If 2019 is any indication, who’s to say the Sydney Roosters, New South Wales and Australian captain cannot reach those heights for a third year in row?