1998 State of Origin series | |
---|---|
Won by | Queensland (9th title) |
Series margin | 2-1 |
Points scored | 106 |
Attendance | 115,469 (ave. 38,490 per match) |
Top points scorer(s) | Darren Lockyer (14) |
Top try scorer(s) | Walters, Langer, Brasher, McGregor (2) |
The 1998 State of Origin series saw the 17th time that the annual three-game series between the Queensland and New South Wales representative rugby league football teams was contested entirely under 'state of origin' selection rules. The return of Super League-aligned stars to Origin following the end of the game's crippling civil war meant the stampeding Brisbane Broncos players were back - to the chagrin of the Blues. The series was notable for being the first in which no team won a game at home.
Friday, 22 May 1998 |
New South Wales | 23–24 | Queensland |
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Rod Wishart (4 - 1t) Tim Brasher (4 - 1t) Laurie Daley (4 - 1t) Brad Fittler (4 - 1t) Steve Menzies (4 - 1t) Andrew Johns (3 - 1g,1fg) | (Report) | (8 - 4g) Darren Lockyer (4 - 1t) Kevin Walters (4 - 1t) Steve Price (4 - 1t) Allan Langer (4 - 1t) Tonie Carroll |
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney Attendance: 36,070 Referee: Bill Harrigan Player of the Match: Allan Langer |
Game I was a classic Origin encounter with each side scrambling to gain ascendancy in front of a boisterous Sydney crowd. The Maroons capitalised on mistakes from their opposition to score twice early in the second half before the mercurial Brad Fittler crossed to regain the lead for New South Wales. When Steve Menzies scored close to full-time to give the Blues a 23-18 lead it seemed that they were heading for victory.
But with barely a minute remaining and Queensland stuck deep in their own territory, their five-eighth Kevin Walters produced the play of the series as he kicked ahead for replacement back Ben Ikin to regather. The Blues tried desperately to hold on for the few final tackles, but Walters destroyed their hopes by sending centre Tonie Carroll over alongside the posts. Darren Lockyer's conversion on debut after the siren gave Queensland a miracle 24-23 victory. It was a personal triumph for Walters coming only a few months after the death of his wife Kim.
Friday, 5 June 1998 |
Queensland | 10–26 | New South Wales |
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Wendell Sailor (4 - 1t) Matt Sing (4 - 1t) Darren Lockyer (2 - 1g) | (Report) | (8 - 2t) Paul McGregor (6 - 3g) Andrew Johns (4 - 1t) Brad Fittler (4 - 1t) Adam MacDougall (4 - 1t) Tim Brasher |
In Game II, after falling behind early to a Wendell Sailor try, the Blues took control in the volatile surroundings of Suncorp Stadium. New South Wales centre Paul McGregor, replacing Andrew Ettingshausen in the starting line-up, scored twice and Brad Fittler added a third to give the visitors a commanding 20-6 lead from which the Maroons never recovered.
Andrew Johns was superb during the Blues' onslaught while Laurie Daley set up the try that levelled the score following Sailor's third-minute opener. A Tim Brasher try shortly after the break ended any hopes of another come-from-behind Queensland win and the final 26-10 scoreline was a fair reflection of the Blues domination over their opposition.
Before the Game III return to the Sydney Football Stadium for the decider there was little warning of the problems the New South Wales team were about to encounter when they were flattened by injury and illness. Six players from the selected squad including props Paul Harragon and Rodney Howe and inspirational hooker Geoff Toovey were forced to withdraw prior to the game.
Friday, 19 June 1998 |
New South Wales | 4–19 | Queensland |
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Ken McGuinness (4 - 1t) | (Report) | (4 - 1t) Kevin Walters (4- 1t) Ben Ikin (4- 1t) Allan Langer (4 - 2g) Darren Lockyer (2 - 1g) Robbie O'Davis (1 - 1fg) Jason Smith |
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney Attendance: 39,952 Referee: Bill Harrigan Player of the Match: Shane Webcke [1] |
Queensland emerged full of running, tries to Walters, dummying his way over [2] and then Ikin, giving them a 12-4 lead before Allan Langer wrapped up the series with a late try. [3] A Jason Smith field goal rounded out the impressive Queensland 19-4 win.
Position | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fullback | Tim Brasher | |||||
Wing | Rod Wishart | |||||
Centre | Andrew Ettingshausen | Paul McGregor | Laurie Daley (c) | |||
Centre | Terry Hill | |||||
Wing | Adam MacDougall | |||||
Five-Eighth | Laurie Daley (c) | Brad Fittler | ||||
Halfback | Andrew Johns | |||||
Prop | Rodney Howe | Glenn Lazarus | ||||
Hooker | Geoff Toovey | Matthew Johns | ||||
Prop | Paul Harragon | Tony Butterfield | ||||
Second Row | Dean Pay | David Furner | ||||
Second Row | Nik Kosef | David Barnhill | ||||
Lock | Brad Fittler | Jim Dymock | ||||
Interchange | David Barnhill | Andrew Ettingshausen | Dean Pay | |||
Interchange | Steve Menzies | |||||
Interchange | Matthew Johns | Nik Kosef | Robbie Kearns | |||
Interchange | Ken McGuinness | Glenn Lazarus | Ken McGuinness | |||
Coach | Tommy Raudonikis |
Position | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fullback | Darren Lockyer | |||||
Wing | Wendell Sailor | |||||
Centre | Steve Renouf | |||||
Centre | Darren Smith | Ben Ikin | ||||
Wing | Matt Sing | Robbie O'Davis | ||||
Five-Eighth | Kevin Walters | |||||
Halfback | Allan Langer (c) | |||||
Prop | Shane Webcke | |||||
Hooker | Jason Hetherington | Jamie Goddard | ||||
Prop | Gary Larson | |||||
Second Row | Wayne Bartrim | Brad Thorn | Gorden Tallis | |||
Second Row | Jason Smith | Gorden Tallis | Jason Smith | |||
Lock | Peter Ryan | Wayne Bartrim | Darren Smith | |||
Interchange | Ben Ikin | Matt Sing | ||||
Interchange | Steve Price | |||||
Interchange | Martin Lang | Peter Ryan | ||||
Interchange | Tonie Carroll | Andrew Gee | ||||
Coach | Wayne Bennett |
Bradley Scott Fittler, also known by the nickname of "Freddy", is an Australian rugby league commentator, television presenter, and former player.
State of Origin results and statistics have been accumulating since the 1980 State of Origin game. Every game played under State of Origin selection rules, including the additional 1987 exhibition match and the matches played between New South Wales and Queensland for the Super League Tri-series are detailed below unless stated otherwise.
The New South Wales rugby league team has represented the Australian state of New South Wales in rugby league football since the sport's beginnings there in 1907. Also known as the Blues due to their sky blue jerseys, the team competes in the annual State of Origin series against Queensland. As of 2024, the team is coached by Michael Maguire and captained by Jake Trbojevic.
The Queensland rugby league team represents the Australian state of Queensland in rugby league football. Nicknamed the "Maroons" after the colour of their jersey, they play three times a year against arch-rivals New South Wales in the State of Origin series. The team is currently coached by Billy Slater and captained by Daly Cherry-Evans, and is administered by the Queensland Rugby League. They play all of their home matches at Brisbane's Lang Park.
The 1999 State of Origin series saw the 18th year that the annual three-game series between the Queensland and New South Wales representative rugby league football teams was contested entirely under 'state of origin' selection rules. The series was drawn and the shield retained by the previous year's victors, Queensland. Each team claimed victory in a game and the deciding fixture finished at 10-all. It was the first series to end in a draw.
The 2005 State of Origin series saw the 24th time that the annual three-game series between the Queensland and New South Wales representative rugby league football teams was contested entirely under 'state of origin' selection rules. The three matches drew a total attendance of 187,309 and New South Wales won the series 2-1, their third consecutive series victory, and their last until 2014.
The 2004 State of Origin series was the 23rd time that the annual three-game series between the Queensland and New South Wales representative rugby league football teams was contested entirely under 'state of origin' selection rules.
The 2002 State of Origin series saw the 21st time that the annual three-game series between the Queensland and New South Wales representative rugby league football teams was played entirely under 'state of origin' selection rules. It was the second drawn series in four years and being the second default title retention by Queensland, it ignited protests from the New South Wales camp eventually accepted by the NRL, for the introduction of extra-time to State of Origin matches was introduced to ensure a definitive result.
The 2001 State of Origin series was the 20th year that the annual three-game series between the Queensland and New South Wales representative rugby league football teams was contested entirely under 'state of origin' selection rules. The series was notable for marking the first time an England-based player was selected for State of Origin: Maroons legend Allan Langer was asked to make his comeback for the third and deciding match of the series and did so, helping Queensland re-claim the shield in Brisbane.
The 1997 State of Origin series was the 16th year that the annual best-of-three series of interstate rugby league football matches between the Queensland and New South Wales representative teams was contested entirely under 'state of origin' selection rules. Like the 1995 State of Origin series, players from clubs aligned with Super League were not eligible for selection. Gone were established players Laurie Daley, Allan Langer, Ricky Stuart, Wendell Sailor, Glenn Lazarus, Bradley Clyde, Gorden Tallis and Kevin Walters - all representing their respective states in the newly invented Super League Tri-series.
The 1996 State of Origin series saw the 15th time that the annual three-game series between the Queensland and New South Wales representative rugby league football teams was contested entirely under 'state of origin' selection rules. This series saw the return to representative football of players who had signed with Super League, after a court decision had delayed the beginning of Super League until at least 2000. As a result, both teams were back to full strength, and a new record was set for the highest State of Origin crowd at the Sydney Football Stadium.
The 1995 State of Origin series was the 14th annual three-game series between the Queensland and New South Wales representative rugby league teams. Due to the Australian Rugby League's ongoing conflicts with Super League, they ruled that no Super League-aligned players were eligible for State of Origin selection in 1995. This appeared to hurt Queensland, eliminating their mostly Brisbane Broncos back line, and they were not widely expected to win the series. However, they won 3–0, their first series win since 1991. Novice Queensland coach Paul Vautin made only one player change to his squad during the three game series. This series once again saw State of Origin football venture to Melbourne, after an enthusiastic Melbourne crowd packed the MCG to watch game two of the 1994 series. Although the crowd in Melbourne was not as high as 1994's then-record origin crowd of 87,161, it was still a success, attracting 52,994 spectators and furthering the case for a first grade team in Melbourne.
The 1994 State of Origin series saw the 13th year that the annual three-game series between the Queensland and New South Wales representative rugby league football teams was contested entirely under 'state of origin' selection rules. Mark Coyne's completion of a miraculous team effort by Queensland to snatch victory in the dying seconds of Game I has become a featured moment in Origin folklore. In Game II a crowd of 87,000 flocked to the MCG setting a new Australian rugby league crowd record. In Game III New South Wales won their first ever Lang Park decider, spoiling Mal Meninga's farewell Origin match.
The 1993 State of Origin series was the 12th year that the annual best-of-three series of rugby league football matches between the Queensland and New South Wales representative teams was contested under 'state of origin' selection rules. Queensland's favourite son Wally Lewis returned as coach just two years after his retirement as a player.
The 1992 State of Origin series saw the 11th time that the annual three-game series between the New South Wales and Queensland representative rugby league football teams was contested entirely under "state of origin" selection rules. It was the first year of involvement by New South Wales' most successful coach Phil Gould, who made only four player changes to the Blues squad during the series - one of these necessitated by the return from injury of champion play-maker Ricky Stuart. For the first time in thirteen years of Origin there was no involvement by Wally Lewis to inspire Queensland.
The 1990 State of Origin series saw the ninth time that the annual three-game series between New South Wales and Queensland representative rugby league football teams was contested entirely under "state of origin" selection rules. It was the first year that the Australian Rugby League took an Origin match to Melbourne to showcase the code in Victoria. New South Wales broke an eight-game losing streak in game I and took the series for the first time since 1986.
The 1989 State of Origin series was the eighth time the annual three-game series between New South Wales and Queensland was contested entirely under 'state of origin' selection rules. It was Queensland's second consecutive Origin clean-sweep and an unpleasant inauguration for New South Wales' new coach Jack Gibson who, along with a new captain in Gavin Miller and eight new players, was brought into a dramatically overhauled Blues side that had lost its five last State of Origin matches.
The 1987 State of Origin series saw the sixth time the annual three-match series between the New South Wales and Queensland representative rugby league football teams was contested entirely under 'State of Origin' selection rules. It saw the emergence of new faces who would go on to become Origin legends, record crowds for all three matches, and an additional exhibition game played in Long Beach, California.
The 1988 State of Origin series was the seventh annual three-game series between the New South Wales and Queensland representative rugby league football teams to be contested entirely under 'state of origin' selection rules. Queensland enjoyed their first ever 3–0 series whitewash, mirroring a feat New South Wales had first achieved two years earlier. The series produced an ugly and enduring Origin image when in Game II the parochial Queensland crowd showered the Lang Park playing arena with beer cans in protest at the sin-binning of their captain Wally Lewis.
The 2011 State of Origin series was the 30th annual best-of-three series of interstate rugby league football matches between the Queensland and New South Wales representative teams contested under "State of Origin" selection rules. For the third successive year a Queensland victory set a new record for consecutive State of Origin titles, reaching six. Game I was played in Brisbane, Game II in Sydney and Game III was again played in Brisbane. Game III was also Australia's most watched sports TV programme for the year 2011.