1998 Rugby League State of Origin series

Infobox_State_of_Origin_series
year = 1998


count = 9th
imagesize = 150px
caption = Logo of the State of Origin series
winners =
margin = 2-1
points = 106
attendance = 115469
top points scorer = ( 14 points)
top try scorer = (2 tries)The 1998 State of Origin series was the 19th annual Australian Rugby League State of Origin series between New South Wales and Queensland. 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.__TOC__

Games

Game One

rugbyleaguebox
bg = #eeeeee
date = May 22, 1998
team2 =
score = 23–24
report = [http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game52.html (Report)]
team1 =
points1 = 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)
points2 = (8 - 4g) Darren Lockyer
(4 - 1t) Kevin Walters
(4 - 1t) Steven Price
(4 - 1t) Allan Langer
(4 - 1t) Tonie Carroll
stadium = Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
attendance = 36,070
referee= Bill Harrigan
manofmatch= 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 gave Queensland a miracle 24-23 victory. It was a personal triumph for Walters coming only a few months after the tragic death of his wife Kim.

Game Two

rugbyleaguebox
bg = #eeeeee
date = June 5, 1998
team1 =
score = 10–26
report = [http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game53.html (Report)]
team2 =
points1 = Wendell Sailor (4 - 1t)
Matt Sing (4 - 1t)
Darren Lockyer (2 - 1g)
points2 = (8 - 2t) Paul McGregor
(6 - 3g) Andrew Johns
(4 - 1t) Brad Fittler
(4 - 1t) Adam MacDougall
(4 - 1t) Tim Brasher
stadium = Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
attendance = 40,447
referee= Bill Harrigan
manofmatch= 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 Three

rugbyleaguebox
bg = #eeeeee
date = June 19, 1998
team2 =
score = 4–19
report = [http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game54.html (Report)]
team1 =
points1 = Ken McGuinness (4 - 1t)
points2 = (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
stadium = Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
attendance = 39,952
referee= Bill Harrigan
manofmatch= Shane Webcke

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 games and the effects were obvious from the outset. Queensland emerged full of running, tries to Walters and Ikin giving them a 12-4 lead before the brilliant Allan Langer wrapped up the series with a late try. A Jason Smith field goal rounded out the impressive Queensland 19-4 win.

Teams

New South Wales

Queensland

ources

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