2000 Rugby League State of Origin series

Infobox_State_of_Origin_series
year = 2000


count = 9th
imagesize = 150px
caption = Logo of the State of Origin series
winners =
margin = 3-0
points = 146
attendance = 159074
top points scorer = ( 52 points)
top try scorer = ( 5 tries)The 2000 State of Origin series was the 21st annual Australian Rugby League State of Origin series between New South Wales and Queensland. In the three games of the 2000 series Gorden Tallis was sent off for calling the referee a cheat, Ryan Girdler amassed an incredible 32 points in one match and New South Wales whitewashed the series in a combined scoreline of 104 to 42 - the biggest gap between the two sides in history.__TOC__

Games

Game One

rugbyleaguebox
bg = #eeeeee
date = May 10, 2000
team2 =
score = 20–16
report = [http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game58.html (Report)]
team1 =
points1 = Ryan Girdler (8 - 2g,1t)
Adam MacDougall (8 - 2t)
David Peachey (4 - 1t)
points2 = (8 - 2t) Adrian Lam
(6 - 1t,1g) Mat Rogers
(2 - 1g) Darren Lockyer
stadium = Stadium Australia, Sydney
attendance = 61,511
referee= Bill Harrigan
manofmatch= Adam MacDougall

In a controversial affair, Queensland captain Gorden Tallis was sent from the field for abusing the referee, in fact calling him a cheat. After Ryan Girdler had scored a try to level at 16-all which appeared to have included two knock-ons in the lead up, a furious Tallis confronted Harrigan and was immediately dismissed after calling him "a fucking cheat". Six minutes later the Blues took advantage of the extra man for David Peachey to cross out wide and secure a 20-16 win.

Immediately after the game Tallis was summonsed to a judiciary hearing at the ground but was not suspended. He had been to the referee's room beforehand and apologised to Harrigan. Blues prop Robbie Kearns later claimed in the Melbourne Herald Sun newspaper that Tallis was to blame for Queensland's loss by showing poor discipline and that he had let himself and his side down.

Game Two

rugbyleaguebox
bg = #eeeeee
date = June 5, 2000
team1 =
score = 10–28
report = [http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game59.html (Report)]
team2 =
points1 = Mat Rogers (6 - 3g)
Gorden Tallis (4 - 1t)
points2 = (12 - 1t, 4g) Ryan Girdler
(4 - 1t) Brad Fittler
(4 - 1t) Shaun Timmins
(4 - 1t) Scott Hill
(4 - 1t) David Furner
stadium = Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
attendance = 38,796
referee= Bill Harrigan
manofmatch= Tim Brasher

New South Wales' win in the second game secured their first series win since 1997 and the 28-10 scoreline would be their biggest ever winning margin until game III two weeks later.

Game Three

rugbyleaguebox
bg = #eeeeee
date = June 26, 2000
team2 =
score = 56–16
report = [http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game60.html (Report)]
team1 =
points1 = Ryan Girdler (32 - 10g, 3t)
Matthew Gidley (8 - 2t)
Adam Muir (4 - 1t)
Andrew Johns (4 - 1t)
Bryan Fletcher (4 - 1t)
Adam MacDougall (4 - 1t)
points2 = (8 - 1t,2g) Mat Rogers
(4 - 1t) Darren Smith
(4 - 1t) Gorden Tallis
stadium = Stadium Australia, Sydney
attendance = 58,767
referee= Bill Harrigan
manofmatch= Ryan Girdler

New South Wales centre Ryan Girdler produced the performance of his life and the Blues were hailed as the greatest side in Origin history after they demolished Queensland and completed their third clean sweep. Girdler scored three tries and kicked 10 goals from 10 ten attempts for a record 32 point haul during which which New South Wales crossed the Queensland line nine times. New South Wales had led 20-10 at half-time but a try to Andrew Johns after the break saw the floodgates open and saw six Origin records beaten or matched. * Biggest winning margin in State of Origin history * Most points in an Origin match * Most points by an individual in an Origin match * Most points by an individual in an Origin series (Girdler, 52) * Most goals by an individual in an Origin match * Most tries by an individual in an Origin match (Girdler's three equalled Chris Anderson's in 1983 and Kerry Boustead's 1984)

Teams

New South Wales

Queensland

ources

* "Big League's 25 Years of Origin Collectors' Edition" , News Magazines, Surry Hills, Sydney