True Blues honoured in NRL Hall of Fame
Two of the toughest True Blues to ever pull on a NSW jersey – Les Boyd and Ben Elias – have been recognised by the game as members of the 2024 inductees into the NRL’s Hall of Fame.
Boyd was a player no-one wanted to tackle, while Elias was a man who tackled anything that moved.
The two forwards are among 11 players to enter Rugby League’s Hall of Fame next week, Wednesday 21 August, when the NRL will announce the 14th Immortal.
“I would like to congratulate the NRL for recognising Les and Benny in this way,” said NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden.
“They were in slightly different eras but they were so similar in their toughness and passion for the game and their teammates.
“They never wanted to let anyone down, or run past them for that matter. That’s what being a fiercesome competitor means.
“Benny was the first of the modern-day hookers and arguably changed the way the game was played. I feel privileged to have had a close up view of his career.
“Les defined the Wests Magpies era of the 1980s.”
Boyd made his first grade debut in 1976 for the Western Suburbs Magpies after being part of the Australian Schoolboys side in 1972 that toured the UK without losing a game.
By 1978 Boyd was a member of the Australian Test team playing against Great Brittain in an Ashes series.
After four years with the Magpies, Boyd moved across town to arch-rivals Manly Warringah Sea Eagles and enjoyed five years there including the 1982 Grand Final loss to Parramatta (21-8).
He played eight games for NSW (1979-83) and was handed a 12-month suspension for breaking Maroons prop Darryl Brohman’s jaw in Origin 1983.
After 142 first grade games in Sydney, Boyd left in 1984 to join Warrington in the UK.
He played 17 Tests in the engine room for Australia starting in the second row or at prop.
Elias made his debut in 1982 and ended up playing 235 matches for Balmain along with 19 games for NSW including the historic 1994 Origin shield (pictured above) by being the first Blues side to win the decider in Brisbane.
The nuggety hooker helped Balmain to consecutive grand finals in 1988 and 1989 losing to Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and the Canberra Raiders consecutively.
He was a much-loved one-club hero at the Tigers for his entire career, alongside 18 Tests for the Kangaroos.