1998 State of Origin series

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.

Game I

22 May
New South Wales 23–24 Queensland
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/s: Bill Harrigan
Man 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 alonsgide 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.

Game II

5 June
Queensland 10–26 New South Wales
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
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Attendance: 40,447
Referee/s: Bill Harrigan
Man of the Match: Rodney Howe

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.

Game III

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.

19 June
New South Wales 4–19 Queensland
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/s: Bill Harrigan
Man 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 the brilliant Allan Langer wrapped up the series with a late try.[3] A Jason Smith field goal rounded out the impressive Queensland 19-4 win.

New South Wales squad

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

Queensland squad

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

See also

Sources

  1. ↑ Barrow, Tim (6 July 2011). "State of Origin: The deciders". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
  2. ↑ Harms, John (2005). The Pearl: Steve Renouf's Story. Australia: University of Queensland Press. p. 195. ISBN 978-0-7022-3536-8.
  3. ↑ CNN/SI: "Langer leads way in what could be last game" - Friday June 19, 1998
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