Sam Backo, beloved Raiders and Origin player, dies at 64 after battling illness.
Canberra Raiders and Queensland State of Origin legend Sam Backo has been hailed as wonderful player and loveable teammate, after his death at age 64.
One of the heroes of the Maroons' domination of Origin in the late 1980s, Backo died surrounded by family in his home town of Cairns on Sunday.
The former Canberra (115 games) and Brisbane forward had been battling a melioidosis infection in recent months, and suffered a heart attack two years ago.
Backo played seven Origins for the Maroons between 1988 and 1990, but his impact was immense.
The front-rower became the first front-rower to be named man of the match in two straight Origins, as Queensland romped to a 3-0 sweep...