The Maroons

The Maroons exposes the family factors that helped forge the resolve of every player to represent Queensland in the first 40 years of State of Origin.

This is more than a rugby league book. It's a book about the children of fruit pickers, butchers, military personnel; of truckers and railway workers. It's the story of kids who were told they weren't good enough. And the story of those seemingly always destined for greatness. It's about Broncos, Titans and Cowboys.

It's a book about resilience, leadership, Queensland's history - both proud and shameful - and those who would stop at nothing to realize their united footy dream. Collectively, the stories explain why the northern state has held an edge over its bitter southern rival.

About the Author

Robert Burgin is a Queenslander and a lifelong rugby league tragic. Rob played 'The Greatest Game of All' in Queensland for 30 years, from the age he was 10 until 40. He has been writing about league for almost as long. For 20 years he was the Queensland contributor for the world's largest-selling rugby league magazine, Rugby League Week, often writing under his previous name Robert Rachow. Robert was also the media manager for Queensland Rugby League for four years and later the lead digital producer for QRL.com.au, providing him a close relationship with many former and current State of Origin players.

At various times he has also worked with the Brisbane Broncos, the North Queensland Cowboys and the Sunshine Coast Falcons, feeder team to the Melbourne Storm. In the past 10 years Robert has devoted his life to growing the game internationally, particularly in Latin America and India. He was the founding president of Latin American Rugby League and has assisted more than 10 nations with development projects and establishing a pathway to international participation. At the time of completing this book he was General Manager of Brasil Rugby League. Above all else he's a Queensland boy. Takes one to know one.