Sydney, AUSTRALIA – Sam Backo, a Queensland State of Origin legend, has passed away at the age of 64, leaving behind a legacy as a wonderful player and lovable teammate.
Backo died on Sunday, surrounded by family in his hometown of Cairns, after battling a melioidosis infection in recent months and suffering a heart attack two years ago.
The former Canberra and Brisbane forward played seven Origins for the Maroons between 1988 and 1990, earning him a reputation as a dominant force on the field.
He became the first front-rower to be named man of the match in two straight Origins, contributing to Queensland’s 3-0 sweep in his rookie series.
“Sam was a wonderful player for Australia and Queensland, where he was always entertaining in our team bus with his dry humour,” said Gene Miles, Backo’s teammate at the Broncos and Maroons.
“He was an old-fashioned front-rower but very quick for his size too.
He always made plenty of yards every time he took the ball up.”
Backo’s impressive career includes six Tests for Australia in 1988 and 1989, and he was named in the Indigenous team of the century in 2008.
Away from rugby league, he worked in the Indigenous space after his 1990 retirement, assisting people on their release from jail through a community development program.
ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys paid tribute to Backo, stating, “Sam was as tough as they come, a larger-than-life character who was as recognisable as he was resilient… A member of the Indigenous Team of the Century, Sam was also a generous and selfless man who was passionate about Indigenous health and advocacy away from the field.”
Fans and friends are invited to share their condolences and memories of Sam Backo on social media using the hashtag `#RIPSamBacko`.