June 10, 2008

Wally Lewis has been named captain of Queensland's rugby league team of the century.

The 17-man team was revealed at a special black tie dinner in Brisbane as part of rugby league's 100 year celebrations.

Lewis was joined in Queensland's 17-man squad by Australian players of the century Mal Meninga, Noel Kelly, Duncan Hall and Arthur Beetson.

But Beetson was selected in the second-row with Toowoomba strongman Mick Madsen chosen to partner Hall in the front-row.

Darren Lockyer, the only active player in the NRL, was named at full-back.

Modern day wingers Michael Hancock, Wendell Sailor, Kerry Boustead and Dale Shearer were overlooked for Cecil Aynsley and Denis Flannery.

Aynsley was an electrifying speedster who played 22 games for Queensland in the 1920s while Flannery was a champion sprinter whose sweet sidestep and swerve often left opponents bamboozled during the 40s and 50s.

Up front the likes of Shane Webcke and Petero Civoniceva could not win a front-row spot ahead of Toowoomba's feared Mick Madsen.

Madsen played 40 games for Queensland during the 1920s.

He forced another Toowoomba hardman Herb Steinohrt, who played 42 games for Queensland, onto the bench along with Jimmy Craig, Duncan Thompson and Gene Miles.

Bob Linder won a hotly contested battle for lock while champion No.7 Allan Langer was a unanimous choice at half-back.

Six-time premiership winner Wayne Bennett was named coach.

Queensland's Team of the Century
Darren Lockyer, Cecil Aynsley, Tom Gorman, Mal Meninga, Denis Flannery, Wally Lewis (c), Allan Langer, Mick Madsen, Noel Kelly, Duncan Hall, Brian Davies, Arthur Beetson, Bob Lindner. Res: Jim Craig, Duncan Thompson, Gene Miles, Herb Steinohrt. Coach: Wayne Bennett.