The first step to proudly becoming the Queensland Rugby Union’s newest Life Member is so clear in the mind of Jeff Miller he can recall it instantly with a laugh.
He was a teenage flanker under a full flop of ginger hair when he was nervously preparing for his Queensland debut against NSW in Townsville in 1982.
“I remember it vividly because (captain) Mark Loane came over to me for a chat in the dressing room just before kick-off,” Miller, 62, said.
“They were reassuring words ‘Don’t worry son, it’s just another game’ until the punchline ‘for you, maybe not’.”
Miller still chuckles at the memory.
He became a fixture in Reds teams for 69 matches as a non-stop openside.
Only the likes of the late Joe French in Queensland rugby history have served under as many hats across more than 40 years.
Miller has been Queensland player, captain and coach. He served as QRU Chief Executive, President and Chairman.
That’s apart from playing 26 Tests, being a member of the Wallabies’ 1991 World Cup-winning outfit and an assistant coach for the 1999 World Cup triumph.
“I’m extremely proud and humbled by this honour as a Life Member. I’ve sat on Life Member committees myself and seen the people who are nominated and the time they have given the game. Knowing you are considered in the same company for a club you love is really special,” Miller said.
Miller has always considered himself lucky to have enjoyed the breadth of experiences he has in the game.
“As a player, I felt really lucky to play between generations, two special periods in Queensland rugby. I started playing in that era with Mark Loane, Tony Shaw and Paul McLean and finished when Timmy Horan, Michael Lynagh, Peter Slattery, Andy McIntyre and Cameron Lillicrap were excelling for Queensland.
“It’s funny the little things you remember like sitting in the Ballymore grandstand as a reserve with Stan Pilecki. He’d swap seats with me to be further from ‘Tempo’ (coach Bob Templeton) so he could light a cigarette more secretly. He’d stomp it out before he ran on.”
Miller is delighted to see where Queensland rugby is at. As QRU Chairman (2018-22), he can take a chunk of credit for setting the QRU on a path out of financial struggles.
“Getting stability at Board level and in the coaching staff with Brad Thorn made a major difference. ‘Thorny’ revamped the culture and started the turnaround in Reds performances,” Miller said.
“It’s a pleasure to watch (coach) Les Kiss and his team take that further with the winning style of rugby they are playing and the obvious connection between the playing squad.
“Off the field, (Chairman) Brett Clark and (Chief Executive) Dave Hanham are executing on a strategic plan with Ballymore’s National Rugby Training Centre as a wonderful asset.
“What Brett is achieving for rugby with the QRU Foundation is significant.”
Miller was made a Life Member at the QRU Annual General Meeting on March 15.
