The NSWRL has paid tribute to True Blue Boyd Cordner after the former Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues captain announced his retirement from Rugby League effective immediately.
The Sydney Roosters and former Australian captain made the announcement today after a decorated career that included 181 games for the Roosters, 16 Origins for the Blues and 20 Tests for Australia.
Cordner, 29, has not played this season after a history of head knocks but had been targeting a return in Round 14. He elected to retire after recent medical advice.
“Boyd Cordner is a champion in every sense of the word, and he will always have a special place in NSWRL history after captaining the Blues to back-to-back series wins in 2018-19,” NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden said.
“He represented NSW with distinction both on and off the field and worked tirelessly to bring success to our organisation.
“Boyd will always be part of the Blues family and I wish him all the very best for the next phase of his life.”
Cordner was named the 19th NSW captain at the start of the 2017 Origin series and would go on to lead his state 10 times.
He was part of the team that won in 2014 to hand NSW their first series win in eight years. He also captained the Blues to their first back-to-back series wins in 2018-19 for the first time since they won three consecutive series from 2003-05.
Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler, who took over the reins as coach in 2018, said it had been an honour to work with Cordner.
“Boyd was an absolute warrior who wore his heart on his sleeve every time he pulled on a sky blue jumper,” Fittler said.
“He was as tough as any player I’ve ever seen play the game and he was the type of captain who led from the front and inspired other players around him.
“He was an integral part of the success we enjoyed in 2018-19 and he leaves a lasting legacy that every player should aspire to.”
Cordner also won three premierships with the Roosters (2013, 2018-19) and took over as Australian captain in 2018.
He became the first NSW captain to be appointed skipper of the Kangaroos since Danny Buderus in 2005. He also had the rare honour of captaining his club, his state and his country to wins that season.
