Queensland state rugby league team history

History of the Queensland state rugby league team.

Before State of Origin

tate of Origin

In the inaugural State of Origin match in 1980, Queensland surprised all in a commanding 20-10 win over New South Wales. Arthur Beetson and Chris Close were the stars for Queensland, but Kerry Boustead scored Queensland's first ever try. This showed that the new State of Origin rules resulted in a fairer game, as seen again in 1981. In 1981, legendary captain Arthur Beetson was ready to play before injury ruled him out, so he became coach of the team and would remain so for the next three years. It seemed that interstate football was still dominated by New South Wales with the blues leading 15-0, but a remarkable comeback by Queensland saw them defeat New South Wales 22-15, with young captain Wally Lewis and Chris Close featuring strongly in the come-from-behind win. This match caused rugby league officials to announce that 1982 should have 2 state of origin matches and a decider if needed.

In 1982, for the first time all three matches of the interstate series were played using the 'origin' selection rules. New South Wales won their first State of Origin match in Game One, but this was not enough to stop Queensland claimimng the series by winning the second and third games with Mal Meninga, Rod Morris and captain Wally Lewis the heroes for the Maroons. The next year New South Wales again won the first game, but Queensland dominated the rest of the series, winning the remaining two games with Wally Lewis once again being the saviour for Queensland. In 1984, Queensland won the first two games for the series, leaving little for the New South Wales rugby league community to cheer about, with Kerry Boustead and Wally Lewis the stars of the series. New South Wales however, won the final match.

In 1985, Queensland saw their first ever series loss to New South Wales. For the first time in State of Origin, New South Wales were dominant throughout the series. Queensland's poor performance could be seen as Arthur Beetson retiring as coach or New South Wales halfback Steve Mortimer in good form. Queensland lost the first two matches but won the third match. Under new coach, Wayne Bennett, the 1986 series saw Queensland play a lot better but the scoreboard didn't show, Queensland lost all 3 games, only by small margins for each game, but the fact was New South Wales had whitewashed Queensland.

In 1987, looking for redemption, Queensland lost the first game to New South Wales, but managed to win the last two games giving Wayne Bennett his first series win. Allan Langer debut in the 1987 series saw Queensland win their first series since 1984, Langer went on to play 34 games for Queensland. In the exhibition match fourth game of 1987 in the USA, Queensland couldn't manage to win. In 1988, the introduction of Queensland based clubs for the first grade competition Brisbane Broncos and Gold Coast, saw more wealth of talent for Queensland. In 1988 and 1989 it was Allan Langer and Wally Lewis's formidale halves partnership that had them dominate both series winning all 6 matches and not letting New South Wales win. Wayne Bennett won the 1988 series while returning coach Arthur Beetson won the 1989 series.

In 1990, the New South Wales team managed to win their first game since 1987, and going on to defeat the Queensland team 2-1 in the series, giving Queensland coach Arthur Beetson his first ever series loss with the team. In 1991, it was Queensland legend Wally Lewis, now known as the King, last series. With a new coach, Grahame Lowe, Queensland won the first game, before New South Wales won the second. With Lewis's last game, the decider, the Queensland team managed to win the game by two points and give Lewis the perfect sendoff.

For the series 1992 to 1994 it seemed that Wally Lewis was sorely missed, losing a record three series in a row. With veteran Mal Meninga taking over as captain, Lowe continuing as coach, the Queensland team were unable to show any spark against New South Wales. They were able to win a game in each of the series 1992,1993,1994. The King Wally Lewis took over coaching for the Queensland team in 1993 and 1994, the QRL hoping he would revive some spark to the team.

In 1995, the Queensland team was struck with being unable to select players from the Super League teams, most notably the Brisbane Broncos. With new coach and former Queensland captain Paul Vautin, the Queensland team were apparently going to be belted by the New South Wales team. It was not to be. In one of the biggest upsets in Origin history, the baby Queensland team defied all betting odds and whitewashed the New South Wales team 3-0. In 1996, New South Wales got their revenge and whitewashed the Queensland team. In 1997, during the Super League War and the rival Super League Tri-series with another Queensland, New South Wales and New Zealand representative teams. Queensland were unable to win the series ending Vautin's rein as coach.

In 1998, Queensland re-employed Wayne Bennett as coach of the team who only wanted a one year stint at the team. With the Super League War over, Queensland was able to pick a great side again. Allan Langer returned in style in a man of the match appearance guiding the Queensland team to a close 24-23 win in the first game. New South Wales won the second, but Queensland dominated the third and won. With new coach and former Queensland player Mark Murray at the helm the Queensland team won the first before losing the second. In controversial circumstances, Queensland were locked up at 6 all at half-time, scored with 8 minutes to go making it 10-6 seemingly wrapping up the game, but New South Wales scored and missed the conversion to makin it 10 all and making the first draw in State of Origin history. Queensland won the series by retaining the drawn shield. In 2000, Queensland were flogged in all games losing 3-0.

In 2001, Wayne Bennett again took over after their humiliating 3-0 loss in 2000. Queensland won the first game dominately however injuries saw them lose the second game and those injuries were still here for the third. This saw coach Bennett take a huge risk, bring out of retirement for Origin great Allan Langer to make a miraculous comeback. Although some thought Langer couldn't rise to the challenge. The great halfback inspired Queensland to a win in the final game. In 2002, Langer returning they couldn't win the first game but won the second. The third game proved to be Langers final game, but a miraculous last minute try by Queensland saw them tie with New South Wales. The game could have be won by Queensland if Lote Tuquri had conversed, but the series was drawn and therefore retained by Queensland.

In the 2003 series, began the New South Wales dominance of Origin, after winning the first tow games. The Queensland team took their anger by flogging New South Wales in the meaningless third game. Queensland however could not stop New South Wales taking the 2004 series 2-1 even with new coach Michael Hagan, when Brad Fittler came back for New South Wales to help them defeat Queensland. The 2005 series again was not much better for Queensland, with although a Game One win, failed to dominate the series and losing the final two matches to lose agin to New South Wales.

In 2006, former Queensland great Mal Meninga took the helm of coach and he took a big risk in Game One to have 7 debutents against a formidal New South Wales side. This showed in the opening 30 minutes where mistakes were made and New South Wales dominated on the scoreboard. A comeback in the second half wasn't enough to win. This put coach Meninga and captain Darren Lockyer under intense criticism by New South Wales media. The second game however saw the fired up Queensland team defeat New South Wales easily. In the third decider game after a few contrversial referee decisions Queensland found themselves down 14-4 with 9 minutes to go. But a miraculous comeback started by Johnathan Thurston and Brent Tate and an intercept try by legend captain Lockyer saw them steal the win and the series.