Interstate Rugby League in Australia (1908–1981)

Last updated

Interstate Series
Sport Rugby League
Inaugural season 1908
Ceased1981
Replaced by State of Origin series
Number of teams2
CountryFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Holders New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales (1981)
Most titles New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales (54 titles)

The Interstate Rugby League Series refers to Australian Rugby league matches played between the New South Wales rugby league team, colloquially known as the 'Blues', and the Queensland rugby league team, known as the 'Maroons', between 1908 and 1981. The Interstate Series concept was based upon the state of residency of the player, however, due to NSW disinterest from 1962 to 1981, the State of Origin concept was initiated in 1980, and after two successful years with single matches, the subsequent origin concept became a three game series and the Interstate Series was scrapped in 1982.

Contents

History

Since the beginning of Australian rugby league in 1908, an interstate competition between New South Wales and Queensland has been conducted from almost annually (not in WWI, Spanish Flu and WWII). Until 1982 each team drew its players from the clubs based in that state. No consideration was given to the origins of the players themselves.

The first of these interstate games was played at Sydney's Agricultural Ground on 11 July 1908, before Queensland had even commenced its club competition. New South Wales easily accounted for Queensland in a 43–0 victory. The local media were unimpressed.

'There can be no doubt the NSW men are improving a good deal... They cannot be blamed for the farce, for it was nothing else. If the Australian team depends on Queenslanders to strengthen it, one is afraid it will be found wanting. They are quite the weakest lot of footballers I have even seen come down from Queensland. The play needs no detailed description as it was simply a practice match for NSW, and certainly did not advantageously advertise the new game.'
The Sydney Morning Herald , 13 July 1908

The interstate series was dominated by New South Wales, apart from a golden period for Queensland in the 1920s. From 1922 to 1925 Queensland defeated New South Wales 11 times in 12 matches. At the end of the 1925 season, a Kangaroo team was to be picked for touring Great Britain. Instead of announcing an Australian team dominated by Queenslanders, the Australian Rugby League Board of Control informed the media that the Rugby Football League had decided that the Kiwis would provide stronger opposition and that there would be no Australian tour. The period spanning 1922 to 1929 saw no Australian team play in Great Britain, the only such hiatus outside the two World Wars.

The New South Wales dominance of interstate football increased after 1956 when gaming machines were legalised for all registered clubs in New South Wales. This provided New South Wales football clubs with a revenue source unmatched by Queensland clubs. From this time on an increasing number of Queensland players moved to the much stronger Sydney competition, becoming ineligible for Queensland state selection. Paul Hogan famously told a Queensland Rugby League gathering in 1977 that "every time Queensland produces a good footballer, he finishes up being processed through a New South Wales poker machine."

Before 1956, NSW had won 75% and Qld only 25% of series played. From 1956 to 1981, NSW dominance soared even higher and Qld wins dwindled to only 3.8% with only 1 series win, in 1959.

Interstate Series Results (1908–1981)

During the Interstate Series era, there were 66 series played, with New South Wales winning 50, Queensland winning 10, and 6 being draws. However, on each of the 6 occasions there was a drawn series, the previous year's winner retained the title, with 4 being retained by NSW and 2 by QLD, meaning NSW won 54 titles and QLD 12 titles during the Interstate Series era.

Notable runs of consecutive titles were NSW, 20 in a row (1962–81), NSW 9 in a row in intermittent early years (1908, 1910–13, 1915, 1919–21), NSW 7 in a row around WWII (1941, 1945–50) and again in the 1950s (1952–58), NSW 6 in a row (1933–39), QLD 5 in a row (1922-26), and QLD 3 in a row (1959–61). The 1973 series was also notable for New South Wales' complete shutout of Queensland in the series, with margins of 16–0, 10-0 and 26-0 across the three games for a series margin of 52–0.

Due to many factors, anywhere between one and five games were played in a series over the course of the competition.

NSW v QLD Interstate Rugby League Results 1908–1981
YearSeries WinnerMarginMatches
Game 1Game 2Game 3Game 4Game 5
1908 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 2–0NSW 43–0NSW 12–3
1910 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 3–0NSW 40–21NSW 32–18NSW 19–3
1911 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 3–0NSW 65–9NSW 49–0NSW 32–8
1912 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 2–0NSW 65–9NSW 32–4
1913 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 2–0NSW 27–12NSW 21–17
1915 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 2–0NSW 53–9NSW 39–6
1919 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 2–0NSW 33–18NSW 12–7NSW 24–10
1920 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 1–0NSW 40–18
1921 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 2–0NSW 37–11NSW 34–20
1922 Queensland colours.svg Queensland 1–0QLD 25–9
1923 Queensland colours.svg Queensland 2–0QLD 18–13QLD 25–10
1924 Queensland colours.svg Queensland 3–0QLD 22–20QLD 20–7QLD 36–6
1925 Queensland colours.svg Queensland 4–1QLD 23–15QLD 27–13NSW 27–16QLD 26–8QLD 23–18
1926 Queensland colours.svg Queensland 3–2NSW 30–17NSW 5–3QLD 26–11QLD 38–0QLD 37–19
1927 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 3–1NSW 14–10NSW 13–11QLD 11–7NSW 15–11
1928 Queensland colours.svg Queensland 3–1QLD 25–9NSW 16–7QLD 28–17QLD 21–10
1929 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 5–0NSW 21–8NSW 17–8NSW 12–10NSW 16–14NSW 11–8
1930 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 2–1NSW 16–11QLD 25–11NSW 15–12
1931 Queensland colours.svg Queensland 3–2NSW 39–17QLD 23–20NSW 28–6QLD 15–8QLD 4–3
1932 Queensland colours.svg Queensland 2–0QLD 23–15Draw 9–9QLD 19–9
1933 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 3–1NSW 24–0NSW 15–13NSW 17–14QLD 10–8
1934 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales

(draw, retain title)

2–2NSW 13–0NSW 42–9QLD 14–10Draw 25–25QLD 22–20
1935 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 4–1NSW 33–16NSW 18–14NSW 51–8QLD 22–20NSW 23–9
1936 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 3–0NSW 30–13NSW 24–13NSW 16–14
1937 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 3–0NSW 21–9NSW 31–3NSW 16–11
1938 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 2–1NSW 20–19NSW 44–7QLD 36–22
1939 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales

(draw, retain title)

2–2NSW 50–15NSW 54–13QLD 29–13QLD 23–13
1940 Queensland colours.svg Queensland 3–1NSW 52–11QLD 19–16QLD 45–8QLD 23–15
1941 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 3–1NSW 18–14NSW 44–10NSW 23–16QLD 27–21
1945 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 2–0NSW 37–12NSW 30–19
1946 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 3–0NSW 46–10NSW 24–6NSW 30–14
1947 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 2–1NSW 29–15QLD 18–9NSW 22–10Draw 13–13
1948 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 3–1NSW 23–9NSW 17–15QLD 9–8NSW 17–13
1949 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 4–0NSW 19–3NSW 33–3NSW 44–20NSW 33–13
1950 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 2–0NSW 45–12Draw 9–9NSW 25–5
1951 Queensland colours.svg Queensland 2–1QLD 29–18NSW 31–8QLD 39–23
1952 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 3–0NSW 18–17NSW 27–10NSW 38–17
1953 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales

(draw, retain title)

2–2NSW 26–15NSW 27–16QLD 32–23QLD 22–13
1954 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 4–0NSW 26–23NSW 18–13NSW 46–7NSW 26–21
1955 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales

(draw, retain title)

2–2NSW 17–15QLD 30–28NSW 25–18QLD 34–12
1956 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 3–1NSW 28–26QLD 28–20NSW 26–18NSW 23–19
1957 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 4–0NSW 49–11NSW 29–12NSW 69–5NSW 45–12
1958 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 3–0NSW 25–14NSW 29–20NSW 23–15
1959 Queensland colours.svg Queensland 3–1QLD 17–15NSW 24–14QLD 23–11QLD 18–14
1960 Queensland colours.svg Queensland

(draw, retain title)

2–2NSW 22–21QLD 17–12QLD 13–0NSW 33–14
1961 Queensland colours.svg Queensland

(draw, retain title)

2–2NSW 21–20NSW 18–2QLD 15–2QLD 20–17
1962 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 3–0NSW 28–8NSW 19–14NSW 25–12Draw 19–19
1963 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 4–0NSW 20–10NSW 53–7NSW 31–5NSW 13–5
1964 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 4–0NSW 28–12NSW 41–3NSW 31–5NSW 22–11
1965 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 4–0NSW 31–7NSW 22–4NSW 30–9NSW 22–15
1966 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 4–0NSW 16–6NSW 28–10NSW 28–20NSW 27–3
1967 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 2–1NSW 14–8NSW 28–9Draw 16–16QLD 13–11
1968 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 2–1NSW 30–7QLD 15–8NSW 29–11
1969 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 4–0NSW 26–0NSW 32–13NSW 33–17NSW 22–12
1970 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 3–1QLD 16–15NSW 22–8NSW 34–8NSW 32–15
1971 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 3–0NSW 12–3NSW 30–2NSW 17–15
1972 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 2–0NSW 29–5NSW 27–6
1973 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 3–0NSW 16–0NSW 10–0NSW 26–0
1974 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 1–0NSW 22–13Draw 13–13Draw 4–4
1975 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 2–1QLD 14–8NSW 27–18NSW 9–8
1976 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 3–0NSW 33–9NSW 10–5NSW 15–13
1977 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 2–0NSW 19–3NSW 14–13
1978 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 3–0NSW 25–19NSW 12–11NSW 28–12
1979 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 3–0NSW 30–5NSW 31–7NSW 35–20
1980 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 2–0NSW 35–3NSW 17–7 Origin game
1981 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 2–0NSW 10–2NSW 22–9 Origin game

Source: [1]

NSW interstate representatives (1908–1981)

NameFirst YrLast YrAppsTriesGoalsFGPts
Don Adams 195519566824
Bob Alexander 195019512
Brian Allsop 19551955113
Chris Anderson 19741981626
Fred Anderson 19581961313
Ted Anderson 19381938113
Tommy Anderson 190819081412
Ned Andrews 194819481
Vic Armbruster 192219221
Jim Armstrong 194619461
Carl Arneman 192619264
Ferris Ashton 19521952326
Royce Ayliffe 198119811
Arthur Baber 19131913226
Harry Bailey 193319331
Max Bailey 192819292
Ron Bailey 19451946326
Charlie Banks 195119512
Gary Banks 196619664
John Barber 197119711
Keith Barnes 1956196311250106
Jack Barnett 191019113
Tom Barry 192519252
Robert Bartlett 195319532
Harry Bath 19461947339
Ron Battye 195319531
Barry Beath 19651967213
Jack Beaton 193419371213243
Ray Beaven 19611961226
Terry Beckett 195919592
Arthur Beetson 196619771739
Jim Bell 192619261
William Bell 192919303
Bob Bennett 195919591
Eric Bennett 194519452
Grantley Bennett 19311933526
Bill Benson 192119245
Tom Berecry 19111912213
Len Bertoldo 197519751
Billy Bischoff Jr. 196119611
George Bishop 19291933624
Harold Bissett 19131913113
Alf Blair 1919192774216
Cec Blinkhorn 19221924413
Johnny Bliss 194719516927
Harry Bloomfield 190819081
Ron Boden 196019603
Herbert Bolt 19131913226
Jack Bonnyman 193919392115
Tom Bourke 194519451
Kerry Boustead 19791981639
Bob Bower 194919492
Jack Bowman 195519551
Les Boyd 19791981413
Paul Boys 191919191
Herb Brackenreg 19081908124
Bill Bradstreet 196619673
Alan Brady 19301935539
Stan Brain 192519286412
Ray Branighan 197019745510
Tony Branson 19671971713
John Brass 19701970226
Greg Brentnall 19801981213
Jerry Brien 192519283
Harry Brighton 191219121
William Brogan 192919321126
Albert Broomham 190819126927
David Brown 19621962113
David M. Brown 1931193619949125
Fred Brown 195519551
Kel Brown 197019701
Kevin Brown 195719582
Os Brown 191119111
Ray Brown 19791979113
Tony Brown 19581962926
Fred Buchanan 193219322
John Bucknall 197319731
Bob Bugden 196019642
Les Bull 192619261
Roy Bull 1949195618
Allan Buman 19651968913
Edward Burdett 191119111
Albert Burge 191119111
Frank Burge 1912192667531
Brian Burke 197019712218
Peter Burke 195919604
Eddie Burns 194819482
Joe Busch 19281930726
Arthur Butler 19081911213
Harry Butler 191319132
Neville Butler 19381938112
John Campbell 191119122115
Keith Campbell 197119711510
Billy Cann 1908191268942
John Cann 19601960426
Harry Caples 19191923413
Brian Carlson 195219591081248
Bill Carson 196219622
Harry Cavanough 1926192812
George Challis 191519152
Darrel Chapman 19591959113
John Chapman 19721972226
Neville Charlton 195919612
Frank Cheadle 190819081
Clive Churchill 1948195727415348
Brian Clay 19571959739
Noel Cleal 198119811
Michael Cleary 19621969101339
Gordon Clifford 195719571918
Ron Clothier 19641964113
Arthur Clues 194519465
Gary Collins 196719671
Arthur Collinson 19531953326
Paddy Conaghan 192019201
Albert Conlon 190819081
William Conlon 19371937124
Lionel Cooper 194519464618
Ron Coote 1965197513618
John Cootes 1969197054114
Ray Corcoran 19701970113
Charlie Cornwell 193019342
Larry Corowa 197819795515
Ron Costello 19671971813
Frank Cottle 194719473
Tedda Courtney 19081915826
John Coveney 197919791
Les Cowie 194819541013
Jim Craig 19291929236
Bob Craig 191019112
Arch Crippin 19361936126
Harold Crocker 195419553
Michael Cronin 1973198119567149
Ron Crowe 196019661413
Denis Cubis 19651965113
Les Cubitt 191119194618
Frank Curran 193319361439
Allan Dagwell 197519752
Gordon Daisley 192519252
Kevin Dann 19801980112
Jim Davis 19111911113
Jack Dawson 192419242
Ken Dawson 196219621
Len Dawson 19381938113
Ted Dawson 194919491
Fred de Belin 1948195010412
Colin De Lore 195219522
Sid Deane 19081908113
Bill Delamere 195919603
Hilton Delaney 193319331
Merv Denton 193919411212138
Pat Devery 1946194764318
Fred Dhu 19381938239
Len Diett 196419641
Bobby Dimond 19481948313
Peter Dimond 195819634515
Peter Diversi 19521956924
Eric Doig 192519251
John Donnelly 197319764
Denis Donoghue 19501954513
Col Donohoe 19541956313
John Dorahy 197919792612
Johnny Dougherty 19541956639
Garry Dowling 19751981326
Lindsay Drake 19711971113
Rees Duncan Jr. 19521953426
Rees Duncan Sr. 19311932613
Jim Dunworth 192419241
Graham Eadie 19741980123825
Trevor Eather 19461946113
Bill Edwards 194819481
Ernie Edwards 192919291
John Elford 197219721
Keith Ellis 19261926526
Tom Ellis 192819281
Jim Evans 195419543
Clive Evatt 192219245
Don Evenden 195419572
Vince Everingham 196219621
Laurie Fagan 196219621
Terry Fahey 19761978539
Percy Fairall 19351936626
Russell Fairfax 197419752
Reg Farnell 191919191
Bill Farnsworth 19101911526
Viv Farnsworth 19101910313
Frank Farrell 193919501413
Alf Faull 191919191
Terry Fearnley 196019601
Fred Felsch 193819411061038
Cec Fifield 19251929512
Harry Finch 19261929913
Robert Firth 194019412
Denis Fitzgerald 19711977513
Allan Fitzgibbon 196819681
Jim Flattery 192119223618
Gordon Fletcher 192819281
Arthur Folwell 193219346
Ike Fowler 195919591
Alf Fraser 191919233
Charles Fraser 1915192152414
Dan Frawley 191119122412
Eric Freestone 192819282218
Keith Froome 19411949726
Ed Fry 190819081
Bob Fulton 19671978151442
Martin Gallagher 19541954213
Fred Gardner 19331934439
Russel Gartner 197719771
Reg Gasnier 195919671413345
Col Geelan 19521954313
Alf Gibbs 19461947626
Jim Gibbs 1931193825618
Jack Gibson 195419541
Herb Gilbert 19401946513
Herb Gilbert 19111919313
Charlie Gill 195119537
Bill Gillespie 19211921113
Harry Glanville 190819081
Neville Glover 197819781
Ned Goddard 19261926426
Bede Goff 195919602
Sid Goodwin 193819406824
Ted Goodwin 1972197681411
Robin Gourley 196219622
Brian Graham 195919592
Bob Grant 19711971113
Johnny Graves 194719521092271
Robert Graves 190819081
Bert Gray 19131920739
Johnny Greaves 196619686515
Dick Green 190819081
Les Griffin 193019315412
David Grimmond 19701970326
David Grundie 19111912213
Don Gulliver 193919392
Adrian Haertsch 196919692
Bob Hagan 196719671
Steve Hage 197819781
Abe Hall 19321932124
Howard Hallett 19111912226
Arthur Halloway 19101919839
Brian Hambly 19591963726
Bill Hamilton 19711973413
Ernie Hammerton 195119566
Les Hampson 195619561
Jack Hampstead 19451946439
Nevyl Hand 194719482
Les Hanigan 19671967326
Edmund Hanrahan 19211921113
Kevin Hansen 19491955426
Lancelot Hansen 190819081115
Bill Hardman 19251926639
Nelson Hardy 192619301521026
Barry Harris 195919624
Keith Harris 19751975213
Mark Harris 1970197810927
Sid Harris 192619322
Earl Harrison 19631965426
Rex Harrison 19381941106426
Gordon Hart 194019401
John Harvey 198119811
Roy Hasson 19471947112
Greg Hawick 19531958832253
Johnny Hawke 19481951613
Geoff Hawkey 19571958213
Frank Hawthorne 192819281
Phil Hawthorne 197019702
John Hayes 196119611
Les Hayes 192419252
Charlie Hazelton 19371937226
Charlie Hedley 190819081
Arthur Hennessy 190819081
Darcy Henry 1955195654114
Os Herden 19341937526
Steve Hewson 19751975226
Vic Hey 1933193512824
Ray Higgs 197519777
Ron Hilditch 198119811
Eddie Hilliard 19131913213
Clarrie Hincksman 192419241
Ray Hines 193519354618
Dallas Hodgins 19211922313
Eric Hogan 192619261
Neville Hogan 194719471
Jack Holland 19491951513
Henry Holloway 195519553
Keith Holman 195019582420162
Jack Holmes 19291930326
Len Holmes 194719474139
Bob Honan 196919693
Bob Honeysett 19561962413
Billy Hong 193119312
Bruce Hopkins 194819482816
Bill Horder 19491949326
Clarrie Horder 1919191923417
Harold Horder 1915192492318105
Peter Howlett 197319732
Lloyd Hudson 195319532
Don Hughes 19281928124
Graeme Hughes 197519751
Gwynne Hughes 19251929313
Fred Hume 19211921113
George Hunter 19541954113
Frank Hurley 193619362
Les Hutchings 197019702
Jack Hutchinson 19461946113
Frank Hyde 19381939539
Ken Irvine 195919672529495
Roger Irving 197419741
Bill Ives 19241925413
Clarrie Ives 19201924413
Norm Jacobson 19451945113
Brian James 196819682
Dick Jeffery 197119713
William Joass 19111919413
Les Johns 19621969153743163
Dick Johnson 193819451113
Frank Johnson 194719505
Jimmy Johnson 192519251
Lin Johnson 194019402
Albert Johnston 19201923326
Brian Johnston 198119811
Ian Johnston 19491949326
Fred Jones 19681973426
Johnny Jones 19601961311125
Lou Jones 190819082
Peter Jones 19651965113
Joe Jorgenson 19411946943174
Kevin Junee 19651968739
Arthur Justice 1925192918
Harry Kadwell 19281932821230
Sid Kaufman 191919191
Ken Kearney 195319581726
Aub Kelly 19261927926
Bill Kelly 191519152
John Kelly 19611961313
Noel Kelly 19631967513
Clem Kennedy 19451947426
John Kerwick 191919191
Bob Keyes 196419641
Paul Khan 197819781
Des Kimmorley 197119712
Johnny King 196319701111543
Fred Kinghorn 191319132
Jack Kingston 192819341239
Tom Kirk 1939194643417
Roy Kirkaldy 193819411139
Ross Kite 1954195881442
Jack Knight 192119211
Max Krilich 19781978213
Bob Landers 195919591
Alby Lane 19251928813
John Lang 198019801
Graeme Langlands 19621975331940137
Ernie Lapham 1926192883213
Reg Latta 1921192511
Jack Laurence 19251925113
Robert Laurie 198119811
Steve Lavers 197619761
Vic Lawrence 192719273
Tom Leamy 192519252
Harold Leddy 192119232
Charlie Lees 191319131
Merv Lees 19541955326
Tom Leggo 191319132115
Garry Leo 19671967113
Jack Leveson 190819081
Eric Lewis 19351937613
Bob Lindfield 192819281
Bill Lindsay 19121912113
Tom Linskey 192319231
Jimmy Lisle 19621965813
Sel Lisle 194619461
Jimmy Love 192519251
Bob Lulham 194719499824
Eddie Lumsden 195719631614756
Graham Lye 19691969126
Ron Lynch 196019671526
Albert McAndrew 19401940213
Arthur McCabe 191019102412
Paul McCabe 19811981226
Tom McCabe 19081908126
Bill McCarthy 190819081
Bob McCarthy 1969197510721
Jack McCormack 19311931312
Matt McCoy 19491951521536
Patrick McCue 19111912239
John McDonald 19691970312
Barney McEvoy 196019602
Selby McFarlane 19131913213
Ted McGrath 192219221
Dugald McGregor 19121912136
Albert McGuinness 194119413612
Ted McGuinness 191019102218
Ross McKinnon 19331937724
Chris McKivat 19101912526
Gordon McLennan 19371937113
Allan McMahon 197519776515
Jack McMahon 192519251
John McMartin 197519751
Frank McMillan 1922193420114
Charles McMurtrie 19111911126
Doug McRitchie 194819504
Gil MacDougall 19631963326
Allan Maddalena 19661966213
Ken Maddison 197419741
Pat Maher 19281929726
Bill Maizey 192619263
Stanley Maker 192519252
Ron Mann 194819482
Don Manson 193819381
Les Mara 197519762
Bill Marsh 19551958839
Steve Martin 19781980113
Jeff Masterman 198119812
Frank Matterson 192919291
Col Maxwell 194819481
Les Mead 19331935348
Dally Messenger 19081912610421116
Wally Messenger 191319131
Keith Middleton 19501951213
Dud Millard 192419241
Angus Miller 194719483
Ian Moir 19521959101030
Peter Moir 19081908113
Arch Moncreiff 191319132
Brian Moore 19631970426
Grahame Moran 19701970113
Laurie Moraschi 19651965113
Jim Morgan 196519747
John Morgan 196519705115
Ray Morris 19311933739
Rod Morris 197919814
Steve Morris 19781980213
Steve Mortimer 197719814
Andy Morton 190819081
Rex Mossop 195719606
Mick Mullane 195019501
Noel Mulligan 1947195110412
Bill Mullins 19711971113
Frank Mulville 194019402
Pat Murphy 19251925313
Wal Murphy 192519251
Joe Murray 191219121
Herb Narvo 1938194511927
Henry Naylor 191119111
William Neill 191019114
Barry Nelson 195919591
Fred Nelson 195919591
Edgar Newham 19411941439
Bill Noble 19101913613
Fred Nolan 193719373
Ernie Norman 193119371339
Ray Norman 1912191953621
Rex Norman 1921192111411
Andy Norval 19381941539
Kevin O'Brien 19561956226
Wally O'Connell 19481952513
Alf O'Connor 19241930913
Frank O'Connor 19311934913
Peter O'Connor 195619562
Owen O'Donnell 197019701
Charlie Ogle 191919191
Bruce Olive 19581962826
Graham Olling 19771978313
Larry O'Malley 190819122
John O'Neill 196719715
Bob O'Reilly 197019748
Des O'Reilly 198119811
Frank O'Rourke 1925192782312
Bryan Orrock 195519564
Kel O'Shea 195619587
Bill Owen 196119624
Harry Owen 1927193181020
Arthur Oxford 19191924711839
Walter Palmer 191519152
Terry Pannowitz 196519651
Don Parish 1959196153825
Dave Parkinson 19461946113
Jim Parsons 19271927213
Don Pascoe 19681969339
Tony Paskins 1961196231326
Mark Patch 195719593
Albert Paul 19521953426
Cliff Pearce 19281936172312
Joe Pearce 193019413181044
Sandy Pearce 19101920613
John Peard 19761977412
George Peponis 19761980839
Herman Peters 192319231
Gary Pethybridge 197319731
Tim Pickup 197219755
Noel Pidding 19471954201759169
Greg Pierce 19761978513
Harry Pierce 193819392
George Piggins 197419762
Tom Pitman 194719471
Denis Pittard 196919725412
Dick Poole 1954195710721
Norm Pope 193119311
Henry Porter 193519411413
Monty Porter 196019601
George Potter 19191919213
Ron Potter 195619562
Clarrie Prentice 19191921326
Ray Price 197819817618
Wally Prigg 19291939341339
Perce Pritchard 19471950339
Norm Provan 1954196120412
Gordon Pugh 193419342
Bernie Purcell 195119564139
Jim Pye 19191921413
John Quayle 19731973213
Jim Quealey 194019401
Alan Quinlivan 194019403
Oscar Quinlivan 192219242
Graham Quinn 198019801
Norman Quinn 192819282
Paul Quinn 19631965913
Terry Randall 1973197811
Johnny Raper 1959197024515
Elton Rasmussen 196219686
Tommy Raudonikis 1970198018927
Billy Rayner 196019602
Jack Rayner 1947195412412
Jack Reardon 193419341
Rod Reddy 19731980939
Terry Reynolds 197019701
Johnny Rhodes 196819682
John Ribot 19781981226
Charlie Richards 193619361
Alan Ridley 192919361825177
Alan Righton 19271927112
Ed Rigney 19191921212
Johnny Riley 195919591
Ray Ritchie 19571957239
Ron Roberts 194919494824
George Robinson 191919191
Jack Robinson 191919235412
Norm Robinson 19251926513
Steve Rogers 19731981147633
Edward Root 192719321439
Dick Roser 19371937113
Cec Rubie 193119311
George Ruebner 196819682
Frank Rule 19231925613
Barry Rushworth 19631964239
Charlie Russell 19111913226
Jim Rutherford 193319331
Bill Ryan 193219321
Felix Ryan 19151923713
Kevin Ryan 19621966713
Trevor Ryan 197819781
Ron Saddler 1967196862516
Paul Sait 19691974526
John Sattler 196919694
Frank Saunders 192419252
Don Schofield 19531958726
Ian Schubert 197819781
Kevin Schubert 1948195412
Bill Schultz 191919235
Jim Scoular 194819481
Terry Scurfield 19711971113
Dudley Seddon 19211924213
Bill Shankland 19281930539
Arthur Shawcross 193919391
Vince Sheehan 19191919126
Ken Sherwood 19311931213
Mick Shields 19351935213
Bill Shippen 194019402
Phil Sigsworth 198119811
Eric Simms 1968196816114
Jack Sinclair 196119612
Billy Smith 1964197315115
Bob Smith 196019625
George Smith 196219624
Len Smith 194719487618
Neville Smith 1940194166936
Robert Smith 19471947113
Bill Spence 19101912226
Jack Spencer 19451945213
John Spencer 196919691
Frank Sponberg 19331934313
Frank Stanmore 19481952813
Frank Stanton 196319632127
Geoff Starling 19711972313
Les Steel 192219221
Alan Steele 192419241
Ray Stehr 193119413026
Barry Stenhouse 19531953113
Ken Stephen 194819481
Gordon Stettler 19251925136
Gary Stevens 197219754
Athol Stewart 193819407721
Don Stewart 19321932113
Robert Stone 198019801
Ken Stonestreet 19691969113
Johnno Stuntz 19111911113
Bob Sullivan 19541954226
Con Sullivan 19101912639
Gary Sullivan 19721973313
Arthur Summons 196119635
Ted Swinson 191119111
Ted Taplin 191919191
Ron Taylor 195819581
Alec Tennant 196619662
Viv Thicknesse 193319361139
Ray Thomas 195119552
Alan Thompson 19791980426
Duncan Thompson 192219221
Harold Thompson 19121915326
Ken Thompson 197019701
Roy Thompson 19381940933477
Allan Thomson 196619686
Ian Thomson 19781978313
Dick Thornett 1963196911721
Ken Thornett 196319642
Jack Toohey 1923192633621
Fred Tottey 19371937339
Dick Townsend 192019201
Eddie Tracey 194819481
George Treweek 1927193318927
Jack Troy 195019503412
Tony Trudgett 198019801
Mick Trypas 197119711
Cedric Turvey 194119411
Clarrie Tye 191919212
Bill Tyquin 194119411
Tom Tyrrell 19511952213
Mick Veivers 19651967513
Dick Vest 19191920339
David Waite 197319744
Laurie Wakefield 19701970136
Bruce Walker 197519751
John Walker 196619673
Lyall Wall 19191919213
Ian Walsh 195919661713
Jack Walsh 194719472
Elwyn Walters 196919741126
Dennis Ward 196919735115
Laurie Ward 1933193711
Ross Warner 19641965413
Henry Waterhouse 192419254
Jack Watkins 19151924826
David Watson 192919292
George Watt 194519476515
Horrie Watt 191919244
Benny Wearing 1924192813102376
Jack Wedgwood 194019463
Bob Weir 196519663115
Eric Weissel 192919325612
Harry Wells 1952196127618
Eddie White 191219121412
Noel White 194519465412
Bobby Whitton 195419595
Alby Why 192419241
Jack Why 19301933513
Ron Willey 1956195621224
Bob Williams 191119111
George Williams 193219321
Percy Williams 1932193781020
Lionel Williamson 19711974313
Gordon Willoughby 19511954439
Billy Wilson 196119633
Dick Wilson 196319631
Graham Wilson 19611966526
John Wittenberg 196819705
Mark Wright 197519751
William Wylie 194619461
Graeme Wynn 198019802139
Peter Wynn 19791979213
Nick Yakich 196519653412
Colin York 192819306
Craig Young 197919815

Source: [2]

State of Origin (1980-present)

Conception of State of Origin football

By the 1970s the prestige of interstate matches had been seriously downgraded, in most part due to the fact that a number of Queensland players signed to NSW clubs could not unseat the NSW incumbent and also were not eligible for Queensland selection, so they did not play at all. Matches were played mid-week, so as not to interfere with the Sydney club competition, and the small crowds in New South Wales were hosted at suburban grounds. [3] Interstate football reached its nadir in 1977 when the New South Wales Rugby Football League (NSWRFL) declined to host the Queensland team, and both interstate games were played in Queensland.

Former Queensland captain and Australian vice-captain Jack Reardon, who had later become a journalist, was the first to suggest that Sydney-based Queenslanders should be available for selection to represent their state. [4]

Brisbane Courier-Mail reporter Hugh Lunn, Barry Maranta (the future co-founder of the Brisbane Broncos) and Maranta's business partner Wayne Reid played a part in persuading QRL chairman Ron McAullife that the concept could be used in rugby league. Lunn told McAullife that "you can take the Queenslander out of Queensland, Ron, but you can't take the Queensland out of the Queenslander." McAuliffe was initially skeptical. "What if we recall our boys from Sydney to play, and we are beaten. Where would we go from there?" Reid spoke to NSWRFL president Kevin Humphreys and suggested that a one-off state of origin match could be used as a Test Match selection trial.

New South Wales clubs were reticent in their support of the concept and set two conditions:

Three Sydney clubs remained opposed to the plan: St. George Dragons, South Sydney Rabbitohs and Eastern Suburbs Roosters. As these clubs were refusing to release players, Humphreys threatened to make the game an official Australian Rugby League trial, which would make release mandatory. The clubs backed down.

Overall Results

Including the Interstate Series and State of Origin results, NSW has won 71 titles, and Queensland has won 38 titles. The all-time record of games played is 353 with New South Wales having 219 wins, Queensland 124 wins, and 10 matches have been drawn.

StateInterstate Series (1908–1981) [a] State of Origin (1982–present) [a] [b] Total
WonLostDrawnSeries WonRetained TitleTitlesWonLostDrawnSeries WonRetained TitleTitlesWonLostDrawnSeries WonRetained TitleTitles
Flag of New South Wales.svg NSW1595485045460702170172191241067471
Flag of Queensland.svg Queensland5415981021270602242261242191034438

Notes

  1. 1 2 includes 1980, 1981 and 1987 exhibition game results in Win-Loss-Draw columns even though they were not part of any series
  2. As of 2024

References

  1. "Interstate Matches - Results - Rugby League Project". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 2022-07-13.
  2. "New South Wales Firsts - Players - RLP". Rugby League Project.
  3. Middleton, David (2008). League of Legends: 100 Years of Rugby League in Australia (PDF). National Museum of Australia. p. 27. ISBN   9781876944643. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 March 2011. Archived 7 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  4. Gallaway, Jack (2003). Origin: Rugby League's greatest contest 1980–2002. Australia: University of Queensland Press. pp. xi. ISBN   9780702233838.