July 06, 2009
Australian Fijians invade Melbourne for Origin 1
 
The AFRL certainly made its presence felt on Origin 1 in Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night with 2007 Petero Civinoceva Medalist Jarryd Hayne stealing the show in what many believe was a man of the match performance despite being in a losing side. Jarryd Hayne son of AFRL Vice-Chairman Manoa Thompson is currently in career best form and his performance the other night already adds to his Origin highlight reel where back in 2007 he scored what was ranked by Inside Sport as the third greatest ever origin try in history.
 
AFRL Patron Petero Civinoceva also was a Queensland standout in Game 1 and he is now one game away from being part of the first ever origin team to win four straight series wins.
 
The AFRL also had presence in the curtain raiser for the U/16’s match with Steve Driscoll (trainer) and Tony Thompson (massage therapist) being selected as part of the staff for that respective New South Wales team. The AFRL will also have it be mentioned that Kemeli Seru (2009 AFRL U/16’s player of the year) narrowly missed selection for this team that was defeated 30 – 10 by a slick Queensland outfit.
 
Also present at the match as pictured below were fellow board members and staff Manoa Thompson (Vice-Chairman), Elenoa Bola (Board Member) and Shane Jacobs (AFRL Team Manager)showing their support for their fellow Fijians and respective states.
 
Game 2 for Origin ’09 will be held in Sydney on June 24 at ANZ Stadium.

Pictured From Left: AFRL Team Manager Shane Jacobs, AFRL and NSW U/16’s Trainer Steve Driscoll and AFRL and NSW U/16’s Massage Therapist Tony Thompson at Etihad Stadium.
 

Above: Petero Civinoceva on the rampage again in Origin.
 

Above: Jarryd Hayne lights up Origin 1 in Melbourne with a stellar performance.