1996 Rugby League State of Origin series

Infobox_State_of_Origin_series
year = 1996


imagesize = 125px
caption =
winners =
count = 7th
margin = 3 - 0
points = 73
attendance = 119520
top points scorer = (16 points)
top try scorer = (3 tries)

The 1996 State of Origin series was the 17th annual Rugby League State of Origin series between New South Wales and Queensland.

This series saw the return to representative football of players who had signed with Super League, after a court decision had delayed the beginning of Super League until at least 2000. As a result, both teams were back to full strength, and a new record was set for the highest State of Origin crowd at the Sydney Football Stadium.

New South Wales were able to bounce back from the 3 - 0 whitewash of the 1995 Series and win the 1996 series 3 - 0, reversing the result of the previous year. The first send off in Origin history occurred in 1996 and New South Wales made further history as the first side to go through a complete series without a player change.__TOC__

Games

Game One

rugbyleaguebox
bg = #eeeeee
date = May 20, 1996
report = [http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game46.html (Report)]
team1 =
team2 =
score = 6–14
points1 = (4 - 1 t) Allan Langer
(2 - 1 g) Wayne Bartrim
points2 = Andrew Johns (6 - 3 g)
Andrew Ettingshausen (4 - 1 t)
Steve Menzies (4 - 1 t)
stadium = Lang Park, Brisbane
attendance = 39,348
referee= David Manson
manofmatch= Geoff Toovey The Blues came out in the opener at Suncorp Stadium with all guns blazing, as the Maroons were overwhelmed all over the park and went down 14-6. If everything had gone their way though, the Blues would have finished streets ahead.

The decision by the selectors to go in with the 1995 World Cup half-hooker combination of Andrew Johns and Geoff Toovey was the spark that ignited the Blues. Up front New South Wales simply out muscled their opponents with Glenn Lazarus putting in an extraordinary performance. Despite the fact unlimited interchange was in force for the first time in Origin, Lazarus stayed on the paddock for the full 80 minutes.

Wendell Sailor was brilliant for the Maroons on debut, their most attacking player, but the partnership of Allan Langer and Jason Smith in the halves didn't work and the Queenslanders' ball control was poor. Tim Brasher, chosen at fullback with Brett Mullins forced to the wing, justified his selection with a brilliant performance, while Paul Harragon was inspirational up front with Lazarus.

Game Two

rugbyleaguebox
bg = #eeeeee
date = June 3, 1996
report = [http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game47.html (Report)]
team1 =
team2 =
score = 18–6
points1 = (8 - 2 t) Brett Mullins
(6 - 3 g) Andrew Johns
(4 - 1 t)Rod Wishart
points2 = Steve Renouf (4 - 1 t)
Julian O'Neill (2 - 1 g)
stadium = Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
attendance = 41,955
referee= David Manson
manofmatch= Andrew Johns

The Blues comfortably wrapped up the series with an 18-6 win in game II at the Sydney Football Stadium, with Laurie Daley and Andrew Ettingshausen demonstrating repeatedly all the skills and speed that stamped them as Origin greats.

The game was marred by the first send-off in Origin history when Queensland replacement forward Craig Greenhill was marched for a high tackle on Blues prop Paul Harragon. A specially convened State of Origin judiciary suspended him for four matches.

Blues coach Phil Gould said after the game that New South Wales could make some history of their own by being the first side to go through an entire Origin series unchanged. His prediction proved correct.

Game Three

rugbyleaguebox
bg = #eeeeee
date = June 17, 1996
report = [http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game48.html (Report)]
team1 =
team2 =
score = 14–15
points1 = (6 - 3 g) Willie Carne
(4 - 1 t) Mark Coyne
(4 - 1 t) Brett Dallas
points2 = Andrew Ettingshausen (4 - 1 t)
Andrew Johns (4 - 2 g)
Brett Mullins (4 - 1 t)
Rod Wishart (2 - 1 g)
Brad Fittler (1 - 1 fg)
stadium = Lang Park, Brisbane
attendance = 38,217
referee= David Manson
manofmatch= Steve Menzies

The Blues skipped away to a 15-2 lead halfway through game III and with only eight minutes remaining it appeared all was lost for the Langer-led Queenslanders. Blues captain Brad Fittler had earlier potted a field goal which seemed to be almost an indulgence at the time, though in the end it proved crucial as the Maroons came storming home.

First Mark Coyne managed to somehow produce a try after the ball ricocheted off his boot, then Matt Sing made a break to put speedy winger Brett Dallas over. At 15-14 the Queenslanders suddenly had a full head of steam. With seconds remaining Langer put on a cross-field kick which was pounced on by Coyne. The Suncorp Stadium crowd went into a frenzy thinking that Coyne had pulled off another miracle Origin try but referee David Manson looked to this touch judge who ruled that Coyne had been in front of the kicker.

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/1996/origin/index.html 1996 State of Origin at sportsphotography.net]