State of Origin star Kurt Mann reveals the shocking turmeric treatment that put him on the road to NRL stardom

• Kurt Mann will make Origin debut for Queensland
• Rewarded for consistent form with Bulldogs
• Game two in Perth on Wednesday, June 18

By JOEL GOULD FOR AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: 08:40 BST, 11 June 2025 | Updated: 08:40 BST, 11 June 2025

Queensland debutant Kurt Mann is one of the NRL’s toughest players – and it all goes back to the day he played a schoolboy footy game and then ran a cross-country with turmeric powder stuffed up his nose.

Mann, 32, will play No.14 for the Maroons in Perth as they attempt to square the State of Origin series.

The Canterbury utility grew up tough in Winton and attended St Brendan’s College in Yeppoon, where he was coached by Terry Hansen, one of the greatest ever schoolboy mentors.

Hansen never went to any game without a can of turmeric powder, a noted cure-all, in his back pocket.

Mann was in Grade 11 and playing for the A side when his nose was smashed all over his face, leaving him with blood squirting everywhere.

Hansen grabbed Mann, stuffed the powder up his nose and the youngster went back out and played a blinder.

Queensland debutant Kurt Mann is one of the NRL’s toughest players – and it all goes back to the day he played a schoolboy game and then ran a cross-country with turmeric powder stuffed up his nose

Mann, 32, will play No.14 for the Maroons in Perth as they attempt to square the State of Origin series on June 18 (pictured, with partner Zara)

Hansen knew he had found a player and always rated Mann one of the hardest-nosed players to lace up a boot.

‘The turmeric thing is a true story. ‘Hanso’ put the turmeric up my nose because I broke it,’ Mann said with a grin.

‘We had the school cross-country the next day and he made me run in it with a broken nose too. I couldn’t breathe out of it because I had a turmeric pack up my nose.

‘He has done a couple of strange things to me, Hanso.

‘I got a cork another time and he got a cup and lit a bit of paper. He put the paper in the cup while it was on fire and stuck it on my leg and sucked my leg into the cup like a vacuum. He reckoned that old wives’ tale is how you fixed corks.

‘Hanso was a great coach and a great mentor to me at St Brendan’s. He taught me a lot about footy and toughness as well.’

Mann will be Queensland’s second oldest Origin debutant behind the great Arthur Beetson in 1980.

‘At the start of the year, I probably would have thought all this was kind of past me being the age I am, but it’s a credit to the team we have at the Bulldogs,’ he said.

Mann will become Queensland’s second oldest Origin debutant behind the great Arthur Beetson in 1980 (Mann is pictured, playing for the Bulldogs)

‘I probably wouldn’t have been a look-in if it wasn’t for the way we’ve started the year there, so really excited, especially being a boy from Winton.

‘It’s a lifelong dream to represent my state.’

Mann is the ultimate utility.

‘I’ve actually started a game in every position bar front-row,’ he grinned.

‘I’ve played a little bit of front-row as well, a couple of weeks back against the Roosters.

‘I’ve played enough footy now that I think I can get the job done wherever.’

Mann’s head can look a bit rough at times, but that’s because he puts it in places others don’t.

‘I’ll put it wherever I need to put it, especially for my state and for my family and community,’ he said with a grin.

Winton will be abuzz for his Origin debut.

‘Oh, massive, it’ll be huge,’ Mann said. ‘When they found out I was 18th man last game….there’s a big water tower in town and it’s usually white, but they turned it all maroon.

‘I don’t know how they managed that, so I think it’ll be a pretty good atmosphere in Winton.’

:
State of Origin star Kurt Mann reveals the shocking turmeric treatment that put him on the road to NRL stardom

***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk