Tumut and Gundagai to bring Maher Cup back to life as part of 100 year celebrations

A blockbuster Group Nine season opener between Tumut and Gundagai will celebrate 100 years since the introduction of the Maher Cup, 50 years after the last game was played.

Tumut Blues Rugby League Old Boys have spectacular celebrations planned, highlighted by a Maher Cup reunion where they hope to attract 200 plus to Tumut Golf Club on Saturday night.

The Maher Cup will be on the line between the two clubs, and will again be played for when the two teams meet in the return bout at Anzac Park in June.

NSW Rugby League (NSWRL) has also thrown their support behind the celebration and provided heritage strips for both teams to wear.

Tumut Blues Rugby League Old Boys secretary Ray Carr says celebrating the rich history of the Maher Cup was important to many people.

"It means a great deal to us. It's a tradition in rugby league that we'd like to keep alive," Carr said.

Tumut and Gundagai played off in the first ever Maher Cup match on April 3, 1921, with the Blues taking a 5-0 win.

Custodianship of the Maher Cup was granted to Tumut Blues Rugby League Old Boys by the then Group Nine board after the last game in 1971.

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The winning club on Saturday week will keep the Maher Cup until the return bout, with the victor on that occasion able to hold the prestigious silverware until season's end, before it returns to the old boys.

Tumut are going to make the most of the Maher Cup return.

"Without giving too much away, we've got the Cup coming to Twickenham by helicopter, like they do in Sydney. We're going to have it dropped there," Carr said.

"The two clubs involved will both warm up on the ground like they do in Sydney in the NRL games. Little things like that are just something a little bit different that we'll do on the day."

The great granddaughter of Tommy O'Brien, the first captain of Tumut, and the granddaughter of John Hobby, Tumut's last Maher Cup captain, will deliver the Cup to Twickenham.

Gundagai secretary Martin Hay said the club was honoured to be part of the historic occasion.

"It's a fantastic idea. All the players are behind it, all of the committee. Everyone is really happy about it," Hay said.

Both clubs are 100 years old this year. Gundagai will hold their centenary celebrations when the two teams meet at Anzac Park on June 26.

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