1995 Rugby League State of Origin series

Infobox_State_of_Origin_series
year = 1995


count = 8th
imagesize = 125px
caption =
winners =
margin = 3 - 0
points = 74
attendance = 133024
top points scorer = (16 points)
top try scorer = (2 tries)The 1995 State of Origin series was the 16th annual State of Origin series between New South Wales and Queensland. This series once again saw State of Origin football venture to Melbourne, after an enthusiastic Melbourne crowd packed the MCG to watch game two of the 1994 series. Although the crowd in Melbourne was not as high as 1994's then-record origin crowd of 87,161, it was still a runaway success, attracting 52,994 spectators and furthering the case for a first grade team in Melbourne.

Due to the ARL's ongoing conflicts with Super League, no Super League-aligned players were eligible for State of Origin selection in 1995. This appeared to hurt Queensland more than New South Wales, eliminating Queensland's star-studded back line, and they were not widely expected to win the 1995 series. However, they managed to win 3-0, their first series win since 1991. Novice Queensland coach Paul Vautin made only one player change to his squad during the three game series.__TOC__

Games

Game One

rugbyleaguebox
bg = #eeeeee
date = May 15, 1995
report = [http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game43.html (Report)]
team1 =
team2 =
score = 0–2
points1 =

points2 = Wayne Bartrim (2 - 1 g)
stadium = Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
attendance = 39,841
referee= Eddie Ward
manofmatch= Gary Larson

Unable to draw on the vast talents of the Brisbane Broncos whose Super League-aligned players were made ineligible for the Origin series, the Maroons selectors were forced to choose from a limited selection Queenslanders from ARL-loyal clubs. Consequently, going into game I at the Sydney Football Stadium, the Blues were unbackable favourites with nine internationals in the squad compared to Queensland's one in Dale Shearer and an untested coach in Paul Vautin.

But the Maroons left the ground that night having produced one of the biggest boilovers in rugby league history, a sole penalty goal to Wayne Bartrim after 30 minutes enough to see them home 2-0. Referee Ward penalised Blues captain Paul Harragon for a tackle on Gary Larson and bartrim kicked the goal from 25 metres out. At the time it seemed a minor event but by game's end the goal had become pivotal.

New South Wales failed to capitalise on their chances, crossing the Queensland line twice. First winger Rod Wishart stepped into touch after taking a cross-field kick from Andrew Johns. Then in the second half, Blues centre Terry Hill was held up by Matt Sing over the line with 17 minutes to play. It was the lowest ever score in a representative game in Australia, yet still a compelling spectacle as the underdog Maroons repelled the New South Wales attack time and time again.

Game Two

rugbyleaguebox
bg = #eeeeee
date = May 31, 1995
report = [http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game44.html (Report)]
team1 =
team2 =
score = 20–12
points1 = (8 - 4 g) Wayne Bartrim
(4 - 1 t) Mark Coyne
(4 - 1 t) Brett Dallas
(4 - 1 t) Adrian Lam
points2 = Brett Rodwell (4 - 1 t)
Jim Serdaris (4 - 1 t)
Rod Wishart (4 - 2 g)
stadium = MCG, Melbourne
attendance = 52,994
referee= Eddie Ward
manofmatch= Jason Smith

Rumours of an all-in brawl that had circulated the Melbourne Cricket Ground before game II were realised early when the first scrum erupted into violence. Most players from both sides were involved and it took referee Eddie Ward a considerable time to restore order. Another outbreak late in the half saw props Paul Harragon and Gavin Allen marched to the sin bin.

Queensland had the run of play and again shocked their highly-credentialled rivals by racing to an 8-0 lead on the back of a Mark Coyne try and two goals from Wayne Bartrim. Brad Fittler worked hard to lift his troops but again he found his team out enthused by Paul Vautin's patched-together but spirited combination.

Wth five minutes remaining Blues hooker Jim Serdaris scored a converted try to close the gap to 14-12 and the Blues began a final wave of attack. Steve Menzies then came within inches of scoring the match winner but was held up and then Brad Fittler threw what appeared to be the match winning pass to a try-bound Tim Brasher. However referee Ward ruled the pass forward to destroy the Blues hopes and as they dropped their guard, flying Queensland winger Brett Dallas caught them out in the dying seconds and ran 90 metres to seal the series with a 20-12 victory.

From this match came a moment for the annals of Origin tradition when broadcast sound and vision captured the indelible image of Maroons lock Billy Moore exiting the tunnel after half-time chanting "Queenslander, Queenslander" to exhort his team-mates.

Game Three

rugbyleaguebox
bg = #eeeeee
date = June 12, 1995
report = [http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game45.html (Report)]
team1 =
team2 =
score = 24–16
points1 = (8 - 4 g) Wayne Bartrim
(4 - 1 t) Brett Dallas
(4 - 1 t) Ben Ikin
(4 - 1 t) Billy Moore
(4 - 1 t) Jason Smith
points2 = Rod Wishart (8 - 1 t, 2 g)
Tim Brasher (4 - 1 t)
Adam Muir (4 - 1 t)

stadium = Lang Park, Brisbane
attendance = 40,189
referee= David Manson
manofmatch= Adrian Lam

Experts were still favouring a New South Wales win in game III but again they were proved wrong in a match that lived up to Origin expectations. The chances of Maroons' captain Trevor Gillmeister playing in the final game had looked impossible - he had been admitted to hospital with an infected knee and placed on an intravenous drip. In an inspiring gesture that underlined the ferocity of feeling in the side signed himself out to take his place in the team.

The two combatants punched and counter-punched before a late try to the previously unheralded Ben Ikin gave the Queenslanders a 24-16 win and a 3-0 series whitewash. New South Wales led twice at 10-6 after 35 minutes and again 16-12 after 41 minutes but the Queensland spirit was resolute. The series was career defining for Ikin, a Gold Coast junior who became the youngest player in Origin history at 18 years and 83 days when he debuted in game I. He would later become a mainstay of Queensland and Broncos' sides up until 2003 although his career was disrupted by injury.

Teams

New South Wales

Queensland

ources

* "Big League's 25 Years of Origin Collectors' Edition" , News Magazines, Surry Hills, Sydney
* Chesterton, Ray (1996) "Good as Gould", Ironbark, Sydney

External links

* [http://www.sportsphotography.net/rugbyleague/1995/origin/index.html 1995 State of Origin at sportsphotography.net]