2002 Rugby League State of Origin series

Infobox_State_of_Origin_series
year = 2002


count = drawn
imagesize = 150px
caption =
winners =
margin = 1-1-1
points = 116
attendance = 178252
top points scorer = (28 points)
top try scorer = (5 tries)The 2002 State of Origin series was the 23rd annual Australian Rugby League State of Origin series between New South Wales and Queensland. It was the second drawn series in four years and being the second default title retention by Queensland it ignited protests from the New South Wales camp eventually accepted by the NRL, for the introduction of extra-time to State of Origin matches to ensure a definitive result.

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Games

Game One

rugbyleaguebox
bg = #eeeeee
date = May 22, 2002
team2 =
score = 32–4
report = [http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game64.html (Report)]
team1 =
points1 = Andrew Johns (9 - 1t, 4g)
Brett Hodgson (6 - 1t,1g)
Matthew Gidley (4 -1t)
Jamie Lyon (4 - 1t)
Timana Tahu (4 - 1t)
Trent Barrett (1 -1fg)
points2 = (4 - 1t) Lote Tuqiri
stadium = Telstra Stadium, Sydney
attendance = 55,421
referee= Bill Harrigan
manofmatch= Andrew Johns

A young and enthusiastic New South Wales side proved far too good for their older opponents when they ran away with a 32-14 win in game I. The result suggessted a bright future for the Blues who unearthed a number of new stars in fullback Brett Hodgson, centre Jamie Lyon and forwards Luke Bailey, Steve Simpson and Australian Test hooker Danny Buderus. Lyon showed his worth early with a remarkable try in the 24th minute off an Andrew Johns grubber kick on halfway.

Johns was named man of the match but it was Hodgson who stood tall after many had questioned the ability of the diminutive fullback to withstand the physical demands of Origin. The Parramatta Eels fullback ran for a record 390 metres - more than twice that of any other player on the field - and capped his night with an 80 metre run from the scrumbase to score under the posts.

Game Two

rugbyleaguebox
bg = #eeeeee
date = June 5, 2002
team1 =
score = 26–18
report = [http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game65.html (Report)]
team2 =
points1 = Lote Tuqiri (18 -3t,3g)
Gorden Tallis (4 - 1t)
Dane Carlaw (4 - 1t)
points2 = (6 - 3g) Andrew Johns
(4 -1t) Luke Ricketson
(4 - 1t) Braith Anasta
(4 - 1t) Shaun Timmins
stadium = ANZ Stadium, Brisbane
attendance = 47,989
referee= Bill Harrigan
manofmatch= Chris McKenna

In a typical Origin script, Queensland managed to reverse the result in game II with a thrilling display to level the series. In a disastrous debut, Maroons centre Justin Hodges emulated the feat of New South Wales' Phil Duke of twenty years earlier when he gathered a Johns kick in the 27th minute and fired a pass in goal to Darren Lockyer, only to see the ball sail over Lockyer's head and Blues five-eighth Braith Anasta pounce to give his side the lead. Then in the 61st minute Hodges did it again for Luke Ricketson to score before he was eventually hauled from the field by coach Wayne Bennett as his confidence dropped.

On the other side of the field, Queensland centre Chris McKenna was playing the match of his life as he assisted winger Lote Tuqiri to a three try haul.

Game Three

rugbyleaguebox
bg = #eeeeee
date = June 26, 2002
team2 =
score = 18–18
report = [http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game66.html (Report)]
team1 =
points1 = Jason Moodie (8 - 2t)
Andrew Johns (6 -3g)
Steve Menzies (4 - 1t)
points2 = (6 - 1t,1g) Lote Tuqiri
(4 -1t) Shaun Berrigan
(4 - 1t) Shane Webcke
(4 1t) Dane Carlaw
stadium = Telstra Stadium, Sydney
attendance = 74,842
referee= Bill Harrigan
manofmatch= Allan Langer

It was in this match that Gorden Tallis performed a famous tackle on Blues fullback, Brett Hodgson, dragging and eventually tossing him out of the field of play like a rag-doll. In a dramatic end to one of the most exciting series in years, the Blues thought they'd stolen the game when Jason Moodie finished off a magnificent team movement with three minutes remaining to take an 18-14 lead. But Queensland back-rower Dane Carlaw's try leveled the score at 18-all after a dramatic 50 metre burst, ensuring the title stayed with the Maroons.

Queensland skipper Gorden Tallis' reaction in giving the one-finger salute to a section of the crowd, right behind the northern tryline where Carlaw's try was scored, became a major after-match talking point. Tallis gained some sympathy when it was revealed that he was objecting to an offensive sign about his mother. But many again raised questions about his capacity to captain Australia with debate raging over the choice between Tallis or Andrew Johns to succeed Brad Fittler. Days later Johns was chosen to lead the Kangaroos in the July Test against Great Britain.

Teams

New South Wales

Queensland

ources

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

External links

* [http://www.sportsphotography.net/rugbyleague/2002/origin/index.html 2002 State of Origin at sportsphotography.net]