Phillip Duke

Phillip Duke is a former professional rugby league footballer who was selected to represent the New [South Wales state rugby league team|New South Wales Blues] in game III of the 1982 [Rugby League State of Origin series|1982 State of Origin] series.
Duke, playing for the Moree Boomerangs, was the first of three players in the Country Rugby League who were selected to play Origin without having played in first-grade competition. Duke earned his selection after playing for Country in the annual City vs Country confrontation and he was placed on the for the third and deciding match of the Origin series. Although he scored the only New South Wales try in the game, Duke's performance was marred by a missed pass from Phil Sigsworth. The ball intended for Duke went astray and Queensland state rugby [league team|Queenslander] Wally Lewis scooped it up, scored a try and won the game and the series for Queensland.
Duke later played two seasons with Western Suburbs Magpies, mainly as a winger.