1987 Rugby League State of Origin series

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1987 State of Origin series
Won by Queensland (4th series title)
Series margin   2-1
Points scored 72
Attendance 109,091 (average 36,364 per match)
Top points scorer(s) O'Connor Shearer (14 points)
Top try scorer(s) Dale Shearer ( 3 tries)

The 1987 State of Origin series was the 8th annual Australian Rugby League State of Origin series between New South Wales and Queensland. It saw the emergence of new faces who would go on to become Origin legends - Queensland's Allan Langer and New South Wales' Andrew Ettingshausen; record crowds for all three Australian matches and an exhibition encounter played in Los Angeles.

Contents


[edit] Games

[edit] Game One

June 2, 1987
New South Wales 20–16 Queensland Lang Park
Attendance: 33,441
Referee: Mick Stone
Man of Match: Les Davidson
(12 - 2 t, 2 g) Michael O'Connor
(4 - 1 t) Mark McGaw
(4 - 1 t) Les Davidson		 (Report) Dale Shearer(4 - 1 t)
Tony Currie(4 - 1 t)
Greg Dowling (4 - 1 t)
Gary Belcher (2 - 1 g)
Peter Jackson (2 - 1 g)


Mark Murray had missed just one Origin clash in the first five series but when he suffered a serious eye injury that forced his premature retirement in the off-season of 1986, it was widely expected that the Sydney Roosters in-form half-back Laurie Spina would be called into the side. Instead the Maroons selectors opted for the jockey-sized Ipswich Jets half-back Allan Langer then just 68kg and a month shy of his 21st birthday. In his first match at Origin level, Langer proved he was a worthy partner for Wally Lewis in the halves and silenced his doubters with a performance that went close to earning him the man-of-the-match award which was won by Blues' second rower Les Davidson.

With only minutes left in the game the scores were locked at 16-all and heading for the first drawn result when referee Mick Stone made one of the best refereeing decisions in Origin history under immense pressure in front of a rabid Queensland crowd. New South Wales' half-back Peter Sterling missed with a field-goal attempt before launching a final backline raid down the right hand side of the field. Cronulla Sharks centre Andrew Ettingshausen, on debut and playing on the wing, sent his club team-mate Mark McGaw away on a long burst down the sideline. Cornered by the converging defence, McGaw threw an inside pass that was knocked down by Queensland but was kicked ahead into the Maroon's in-goal. In a flurry of action that saw arms, legs and bodies flailing in desperation, a hand reached out and grounded the ball just before it skidded dead.

Referee Stone was forced to make a split second pivotal decision without the help of the video referee backup of today's game. Stone ruled that McGaw had touched down centimetres inside the dead-ball line for a try. Video replays showed Stone correct, making his decision one of the best and bravest rulings a referee has made in a big-match situation.


[edit] Game Two

June 11, 1987
Queensland 12–6 New South Wales Sydney Cricket Ground
Attendance: 42,048
Referee: Barry Gomersall
Man of Match: Peter Sterling
(4 - 1 t) Dale Shearer
(4 - 1 t) Greg Dowling
(4 - 1 t) Colin Scott		 (Report) Andrew Farrar(4 - 1 t)
Michael O'Connor (2 - 1 g)


Game II at the Sydney Cricket Ground in front of a record Origin crowd of 42,048 was played in torrential rain. The powerful kicking of Lewis and fullback Gary Belcher was superior to the Blues' who were forced to play much of the match in their own half. Queensland capitalised on New South Wales' errors to emerge with a 12-6 victory. On his 27th birthday, Peter Sterling earned the man-of-the-match award, a rare honour for a player on the losing side.


[edit] Game Three

July 15, 1987
Queensland 10–8 New South Wales Lang Park
Attendance: 33,602
Referee: Barry Gomersall
Man of Match: Allan Langer
(6 - 1 t, 1 g) Dale Shearer
(4 - 1 t) Bob Lindner		 (Report) David Boyle (4 - 1 t)
Michael O'Connor (4 - 2 g)


The series decider at Lang Park was a classic Origin knife's-edge encounter that swung from one end of the field to the other. Queensland scored two brilliantly conceived tries to lead 10-8 at halftime and defied the Blues in a scoreless second half of incredible tension. Langer was a triumphant figure for Queensland and in his third Origin was named man of the match after playing the game of his life.

[edit] Game Four

August 6, 1987
New South Wales 30–18 Queensland Veterans Memorial Stadium, Long Beach, CA
Attendance: 12,349
Referee: Mick Stone
Man of Match: Peter Sterling
(4 - 1 t) Andrew Ettingshausen
(4 - 1 t) Mark McGaw
(4 - 1 t) Jonathan Docking
(14 - 1t, 5 g)Michael O'Connor
(4 - 1 t) Cliff Lyons		 (Report) Tony Currie (4 - 1 t)
Gene Miles (4 - 1 t)
Dale Shearer (10 - 1 t, 3g)


Later in the season an exhibition match was played at Long Beach, California. The game did not count toward the series, but the match retained State of Origin status and is included in the records and player appearance calculations.

It was billed as an historic occasion for the game and an opportunity for rugby league to grab a foothold in the United States. It was a bold endeavour, but in reality, the match failed to create the barest ripple on America's sporting consciousness. There was minimal press coverage of the game and disputes over whether a 12,500 crowd or less (some estimates say 7,000) were in attendance, with many tickets given away free.

The game itself lacked the passion and intensity of regular State of Origin matches. New South Wales won 30-18 but Queensland players have always claimed the match was nothing more than an exhibition. To this day the Maroons argue that the result should not count in official records, but while the game did not count towards the 1987 series the Blues' victory does stand in the record books.

[edit] Teams

[edit] New South Wales

Position Game 1 Game 2 Game 3 Game 4*
Fullback Garry Jack Jonathan Docking
Wing Michael O'Connor Brian Johnston
Centre Mark McGaw Brett Kenny Mark McGaw
Centre Brian Johnston Michael O'Connor
Wing Andrew Ettingshausen Andrew Farrar Andrew Ettingshausen
Five-Eighth Brett Kenny Cliff Lyons
Halfback Peter Sterling Peter Sterling (c)
Prop Les Davidson David Boyle Peter Tunks
Hooker Royce Simmons
Prop Pat Jarvis Phil Daley
Second Row Steve Folkes David Boyle Noel Cleal
Second Row Noel Cleal Les Davidson
Lock Wayne Pearce (c) Paul Langmack
Replacement Des Hasler Mark McGaw Des Hasler
Replacement David Boyle Paul Langmack Steve Folkes David Boyle
Coach Ron Willey


[edit] Queensland

Position Game 1 Game 2 Game 3 Game 4
Fullback Gary Belcher
Wing Tony Currie Colin Scott Tony Currie
Centre Peter Jackson
Centre Gene Miles
Wing Dale Shearer
Five-Eighth Wally Lewis (c)
Halfback Allan Langer
Prop Greg Dowling
Hooker Greg Conescu
Prop Martin Bella Bryan Niebling
Second Row Trevor Gillmeister
Second Row Paul Vautin
Lock Ian French Bob Lindner
Replacement Colin Scott Tony Currie Colin Scott
Replacement Gary Smith Ian French
Coach Wayne Bennett

[edit] Sources

  • Big League's 25 Years of Origin Collectors' Edition , News Magazines, Surry Hills, Sydney
State of Origin
New South Wales Queensland
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