| 1995 State of Origin series | |
|---|---|
| Won by | Queensland (8th title) |
| Series margin | 3 - 0 |
| Points scored | 74 |
| Attendance | 133,024 (ave. 44,341 per match) |
| Top points scorer(s) | Wayne Bartrim (16) |
| Top try scorer(s) | Brett Dallas (2) |
The 1995 State of Origin series was the 14th year that the annual best-of-three series of interstate rugby league football matches contested between the Queensland and New South Wales representative teams was played under 'State of Origin' selection rules. Due to the ARL's ongoing conflicts with Super League, no Super League-aligned players were eligible for State of Origin selection in 1995.[1] This appeared to hurt Queensland more than New South Wales, eliminating Queensland's star-studded back line, and they were not widely expected to win the 1995 series. However, they managed to win 3-0,[2] 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 runaway success, attracting 52,994 spectators and furthering the case for a first grade team in Melbourne.
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Unable to draw on the vast talents of the Brisbane Broncos whose Super League-aligned players were made ineligible for the Origin series by the Australian Rugby League, the Maroons selectors were forced to choose from a limited selection of Queenslanders from ARL-loyal clubs. Consequently, going into Game 1 at the Sydney Football Stadium, the Blues were unbackable favourites with nine internationals in the squad compared to Queensland's one in Dale Shearer and an untested commentator-turned-coach in Paul Vautin.
| 15 May | New South Wales | 0–2 | Queensland | Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney Attendance: 39,841 Referee/s: Eddie Ward Man of the Match: Gary Larson |
| (Report) | Wayne Bartrim (2 - 1 g) |
After the first ever try-less State of Origin match, the Maroons left the ground having produced one of the biggest boilovers in rugby league history. A sole penalty goal to Wayne Bartrim after 30 minutes was enough to see Vautin's rookie Queensland team home 2-0. Referee Ward penalised Blues captain Paul Harragon for a tackle on Gary Larson and Bartrim kicked the goal from 25 metres out. At the time it seemed a minor event but by game's end the goal had become pivotal.
New South Wales failed to capitalise on their chances, crossing the Queensland line twice. First winger Rod Wishart stepped into touch after taking a cross-field kick from Andrew Johns. Then in the second half, Blues centre Terry Hill was held up by Matt Sing over the line with 17 minutes to play. It was the lowest ever score in a representative game in Australia, yet still a compelling spectacle as the underdog Maroons repelled the New South Wales attack time and time again.
| 31 May | Queensland | 20–12 | New South Wales | MCG, Melbourne Attendance: 52,994 Referee/s: Eddie Ward Man of the Match: Jason Smith |
| (8 - 4 g) Wayne Bartrim (4 - 1 t) Mark Coyne (4 - 1 t) Brett Dallas (4 - 1 t) Adrian Lam |
(Report) | Brett Rodwell (4 - 1 t) Jim Serdaris (4 - 1 t) Rod Wishart (4 - 2 g) |
Rumours of an all-in brawl that had circulated the Melbourne Cricket Ground before game II were realised early when the first scrum erupted into violence. Most players from both sides were involved and it took referee Eddie Ward a considerable time to restore order. Another outbreak late in the half saw props Paul Harragon and Gavin Allen marched to the sin bin.
Queensland had the run of play and again shocked their highly-credentialled rivals by racing to an 8-0 lead on the back of a Mark Coyne try and two goals from Wayne Bartrim. Brad Fittler worked hard to lift his troops but again he found his team out enthused by Paul Vautin's patched-together but spirited combination.
With five minutes remaining, Blues hooker Jim Serdaris scored a converted try to close the gap to 14-12 and the Blues began a final wave of attack. Steve Menzies then came within inches of scoring the match winner but was held up, and then Brad Fittler threw what appeared to be the match winning pass to a try-bound Tim Brasher. However referee Ward ruled the pass forward to destroy the Blues' hopes and as they dropped their guard, flying Queensland winger Brett Dallas caught them out in the dying seconds and ran 90 metres to seal the series with a 20-12 victory.
From this match came a moment for the annals of Origin tradition when broadcast sound and vision captured the indelible image of Maroons lock Billy Moore exiting the tunnel after half-time chanting "Queenslander, Queenslander" to exhort his team-mates.
| 12 June | Queensland | 24–16 | New South Wales | Lang Park, Brisbane Attendance: 40,189 Referee/s: David Manson Man of the Match: Adrian Lam |
| (8 - 4 g) Wayne Bartrim (4 - 1 t) Brett Dallas (4 - 1 t) Ben Ikin (4 - 1 t) Billy Moore (4 - 1 t) Jason Smith |
(Report) | Rod Wishart (8 - 1 t, 2 g) Tim Brasher (4 - 1 t) Adam Muir (4 - 1 t) |
Experts were still favouring a New South Wales win in game III but again they were proved wrong in a match that lived up to Origin expectations. The chances of Maroons' captain Trevor Gillmeister playing in the final game had looked impossible - he had been admitted to hospital with an infected knee and placed on an intravenous drip. In an inspiring gesture that underlined the ferocity of feeling in the side signed himself out to take his place in the team.[3]
The two combatants punched and counter-punched before a late try to the previously unheralded Ben Ikin gave the Queenslanders a 24-16 win and a 3-0 series whitewash. New South Wales led twice at 10-6 after 35 minutes and again 16-12 after 41 minutes but the Queensland spirit was resolute. The series was career defining for Ikin, a Gold Coast junior who became the youngest player in Origin history at 18 years and 83 days when he debuted in game I. He would later become a mainstay of Queensland and Broncos' sides up until 2003 although his career was disrupted by injury.
| Position | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fullback | Tim Brasher | |||||
| Wing | Rod Wishart | |||||
| Centre | Terry Hill | |||||
| Centre | Paul McGregor | |||||
| Wing | Craig Hancock | John Hopoate | David Hall | |||
| Five-Eighth | Matthew Johns | Brad Fittler (c) | Matthew Johns | |||
| Halfback | Andrew Johns | Geoff Toovey | ||||
| Prop | Paul Harragon | |||||
| Hooker | Jim Serdaris | |||||
| Prop | Mark Carroll | Dean Pay | Mark Carroll | |||
| Second Row | Brad Mackay | Greg Florimo | Adam Muir | |||
| Second Row | Steve Menzies | David Barnhill | Steve Menzies | |||
| Lock | Brad Fittler (c) | Brad Mackay | Brad Fittler (c) | |||
| Interchange | Greg Florimo | Brett Rodwell | Greg Florimo | |||
| Interchange | David Fairleigh | |||||
| Interchange | Matt Seers | Steve Menzies | Matt Seers | |||
| Interchange | Adam Muir | David Barnhill | ||||
| Coach | Phil Gould | |||||
| Position | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fullback | Robbie O'Davis | ||
| Wing | Brett Dallas | ||
| Centre | Mark Coyne | ||
| Centre | Danny Moore | ||
| Wing | Matt Sing | ||
| Five-Eighth | Dale Shearer | Jason Smith | |
| Halfback | Adrian Lam | ||
| Prop | Tony Hearn | ||
| Hooker | Wayne Bartrim | ||
| Prop | Gavin Allen | ||
| Second Row | Trevor Gillmeister (c) | ||
| Second Row | Gary Larson | ||
| Lock | Billy Moore | ||
| Interchange | Ben Ikin | ||
| Interchange | Terry Cook | ||
| Interchange | Mark Hohn | ||
| Interchange | Craig Teevan | ||
| Coach | Paul Vautin | ||
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