Operation CATALYST: Image Gallery
12 June 2008
State of Origin
Any members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) not on duty in Iraq crowded around every available television on Wednesday afternoon (local time) to watch the second State of Origin rugby league match between Queensland and New South Wales.
In the field of Australian sport, State of Origin football games are famous for pitching mate against mate and state against state. That rivalry extended even to Baghdad where Origin fever ignited friendly but keen sporting rivalry among soldiers, sailors and airmen serving at the Australian Middle East Headquarters and at Security Detachment Baghdad.
| 20080611adf8237885_231 For a short time Wednesday afternoon in Baghdad, it was mate against mate as Queensland and New South Wales supporters barracked for their teams. (Date taken: 11 June 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080611adf8237885_232 Private Steven Ronayne (centre) is outnumbered by his Queesnland mates from Security Detachment Baghdad. For a short time Wednesday afternoon in Baghdad, it was mate against mate as Queensland and New South Wales supporters barracked for their teams. (Date taken: 11 June 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080611adf8237885_234 New South Welshman Private Steven Ronayne (centre) is outnumbered by his Queesnland mates from Security Detachment Baghdad, Corporal Tyrone Cashin (left ) and Sergeant Clayton Haack. For a short time Wednesday afternoon in Baghdad, it was mate against mate as Queensland and New South Wales supporters barracked for their teams. (Date taken: 11 June 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080611adf8237885_235 Members of Security Detachment Baghdad get ready for the big game. The match was beamed into Iraq via satellite. (Date taken: 11 June 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080611adf8237885_238 Queenslanders Corporal Tyrone Cashin (l) and Sergeant Clayton Haack, both members of the Australian Security Detachment, Baghdad, took time out from guarding Australian diplomats and pulled out all the stops to make their New South Wales mates feel the pressure during State of Origin Two. (Date taken: 11 June 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20080611adf8237885_241 Members of the Australian Middle East Headquarters in Baghdad watch the second State of Origin match during a break from work on Wednesday afternoon, Iraqi time. The match was beamed into Iraq via satellite. (Date taken: 11 June 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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