For 45 years, rugby league legend Wally Lewis believed his iconic maroon jersey from the first-ever State of Origin match was lost to time. But in a twist worthy of Origin folklore, the treasured item resurfaced, just in time to inspire Queensland.
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When the Maroons took on New South Wales in Sydney to claim the 2025 Origin series, the jersey, once worn by “The King” himself, was the final image the current Queensland squad saw before taking the field. It was a powerful reminder of legacy, pride, and the enduring spirit of Origin.
The rediscovery came during a painstaking search through a storage unit, where Wally and his wife Lynda had spent hours sorting through bags and boxes, nearly giving up hope. Then, tucked inside a cardboard box labelled ‘rent-a-clothes’, they found it: the original jersey, safely sealed in a zip-locked bag. The moment moved them deeply, with the couple overcome by emotion.
Rather than risk losing it again, the couple decided to carry the jersey with them by hand, keeping it close every step of the journey to Sydney.
Straight from storage and still bearing the wear of history, the jersey featured in a guard of honour during the Wednesday night match. Lewis stood alongside 16 other players from that first Origin clash in 1980, a powerful tribute to the game’s roots.
Lewis, who has long been considering donating his personal memorabilia collection, saw that moment as part of a larger gesture—sharing his story and the state’s sporting heritage with the fans. Suncorp Stadium had already expressed interest in displaying some of the pieces.
Adding to the emotion of the night, Lewis watched one of his favourite current players, Cameron Munster, take the field while carrying the recent loss of his father. Lewis has previously said Munster’s talent ranks among the best he’s seen, and Wednesday had proved to be a defining moment in the playmaker’s career.
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From a dusty storage unit to the heart of a stadium filled with passion, Wally Lewis’ lost jersey has found its way back into Queensland’s story, right where it belongs.
Updated 14-July-2025
