1993 State of Origin series

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1993 State of Origin series
Won byNew South Wales colours.svg New South Wales (5th title)
Series margin2 - 1
Points scored88
Attendance106,395 (ave. 35,465 per match)
Top points scorer(s)New South Wales colours.svg Rod Wishart (22)

The 1993 State of Origin series was the 12th year that the annual best-of-three series of rugby league football matches between the Queensland and New South Wales representative teams was contested under 'state of origin' selection rules. Queensland's favourite son Wally Lewis returned as coach just two years after his retirement as a player.

Game I[]

New South Wales were playing their second series under Phil Gould. Queensland were coached for the first time by their Origin "King" Wally Lewis.

Monday, 3 May 1993
New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 14–10 Queensland colours.svg Queensland
(10 - 1 t, 3 g) Rod Wishart
(4 - 1 t) Ricky Stuart
(Report) Bob Lindner (4 - 1 t)
Willie Carne (4 - 1 t)
Mal Meninga (2 - 1 g)
Lang Park, Brisbane
Attendance: 33,000
Referee: Greg McCallum
Player of the Match: Ricky Stuart

An extraordinary defensive effort by New South Wales gave them the spoils in Game I. The Blues led 12–2 at half-time and then held on grimly in a dour second half repelling waves of Queensland attackers. At one stage in the second half, Queensland held the ball for 21 consecutive tackles within 10 metres of the Blues line, but never broke through. New South Wales in that half made an incredible 161 tackles and clung on for a 14–10 victory in an effort typified by one of their big-hearted forwards, Ian Roberts, who had to leave the field moments from the end suffering from exhaustion.

The Blues were inspired by Ricky Stuart and his Canberra halves partner Laurie Daley who overshadowed Brisbane halves duo Kevin Walters and Allan Langer.

Game II[]

Monday, 17 May 1993
New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales 16–12 Queensland colours.svg Queensland
(4 - 1 t Laurie Daley
(4 - 1 t) Brad Mackay
(8 - 1 t, 2 g) Rod Wishart
(Report) Mal Meninga (4 - 1 t)
Kevin Walters (4 - 1 t)
Adrian Brunker (2 - 1 g)
Dale Shearer(2 - 1 g)
Sydney Football Stadium
Attendance: 41,895
Referee: Eddie Ward
Player of the Match: Tim Brasher

In game II the series could easily have been levelled but Queensland allowed a number of scoring opportunities to slip away. The Maroons led 6–0 at the break after captain Mal Meninga crashed over at the bell but missed at least three try-scoring chances in the first half. Willie Carne scored a fair try from a well planned and well executed cross-field kick by Allan Langer but referee Eddie Ward ruled Carne off-side. Television replays showed he wasn't. In the 30th minute Meninga passed to winger Adrian Brunker who was tackled short of the line after Meninga looked as if he might have scored himself. Four minutes later, Queensland fullback Dale Shearer inexplicably lost the ball in the in-goal area when he should have scored.

New South Wales came out inspired by the half-time words of Phil Gould and struck back promptly and with purpose. Laurie Daley scored early in the second half and lock Brad Mackay was over three minutes later after a Ricky Stuart clearing kick was touched in flight putting NSW on-side and allowing Brad Fittler to regain possession. From having been under pressure and looking as if a loss was imminent, the Blues had bounced back for a four-point lead at 10–6.

Rod Wishart scored again for the Blues before Kevin Walters brought the game back into the balance with a try five minutes from full-time. With time ticking away the Maroons refused to concede and another memorable Origin image was created when Meninga came charging out of his own quarter and raced 40 metres upfield before confronting Laurie Daley the sole New South Wales defender. It was a State of Origin moment frozen in time, captain on captain and the match result resting on the winner of the confrontation. It was the Canberra Raiders captain Meninga being chased by his team-mate and understudy Daley. It was the face of the future Australian Test captain chasing down the present. Meninga drew Daley in and passed to Mark Hohn in support, only to see the front-rower drop the ball as the hooter sounded and the Blues retained the trophy.

Game III[]

Monday, 31 May 1993
Queensland colours.svg Queensland 24–12 New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales
(8 - 2 t) Willie Carne
(4 - 1 t) Steve Walters
(4 - 1 t) Bob Lindner
(4 - 2 g) Mal Meninga
(4 - 2 g) Julian O'Neill
(Report) Andrew Ettingshausen (4 - 1 t)
Paul Harragon (4 - 1 t)
Rod Wishart (4 - 1 t)
Lang Park, Brisbane
Attendance: 31,500
Referee: Greg McCallum
Player of the Match: Dale Shearer

Although Game III was a dead rubber both teams put on a sterling performance in front of a crowd of 31,500. A first-half brawl erupted when an early scrum broke up in the 23rd minute. Regular combatants and bitter rivals Steve Walters and Ben Elias clashed while Paul Harragon and Martin Bella stood trading blows. In the aftermath referee sent all four to the sin bin.

While Maroons coach Lewis was able to take some consolation from the win, the night belonged to Queensland stalwart Bob Lindner who was playing his 25th and last Origin match and was farewelled by the Lang Park crowd.

New South Wales teams[]

Position Game 1 Game 2 Game 3
Fullback Balmain colours.svg Tim Brasher
Wing Cronulla colours.svg Andrew Ettingshausen Penrith Panthers square flag icon with 2017 colours.svg Graham Mackay
Centre Illawarra colours.svg Paul McGregor Cronulla colours.svg Andrew Ettingshausen
Centre Penrith Panthers square flag icon with 2017 colours.svg Brad Fittler
Wing Illawarra colours.svg Rod Wishart
Five-Eighth Canberra colours.svg Laurie Daley (c)
Halfback Canberra colours.svg Ricky Stuart
Prop Brisbane colours.svg Glenn Lazarus
Hooker Balmain colours.svg Ben Elias Newcastle colours.svg Robbie McCormack Balmain colours.svg Ben Elias
Prop Manly Sea Eagles colours.svg Ian Roberts North Sydney colours.svg David Fairleigh
Second Row Balmain colours.svg Paul Sironen
Second Row Newcastle colours.svg Paul Harragon
Lock St. George colours.svg Brad Mackay
Interchange North Sydney colours.svg David Fairleigh Western Suburbs colours.svg Terry Hill
Interchange Eastern Suburbs colours.svg Craig Salvatori Western Suburbs colours.svg David Gillespie
Interchange Canberra colours.svg Brett Mullins Canberra colours.svg Jason Croker St. George colours.svg Scott Gourley
Interchange Western Suburbs colours.svg Jason Taylor
Coach Penrith Panthers square flag icon with 2017 colours.svg Phil Gould

Queensland teams[]

Position Game 1 Game 2 Game 3
Fullback Canberra colours.svg Gary Belcher Gold Coast Chargers colours.svg Dale Shearer
Wing Brisbane colours.svg Willie Carne Canterbury colours.svg Brett Dallas
Centre Canberra colours.svg Mal Meninga (c)
Centre Brisbane colours.svg Steve Renouf St. George colours.svg Mark Coyne
Wing Brisbane colours.svg Michael Hancock Newcastle colours.svg Adrian Brunker Brisbane colours.svg Willie Carne
Five-Eighth Brisbane colours.svg Kevin Walters Brisbane colours.svg Julian O'Neill
Halfback Brisbane colours.svg Allan Langer
Prop Canterbury colours.svg Martin Bella
Hooker Canberra colours.svg Steve Walters
Prop Gold Coast Chargers colours.svg Steve Jackson Brisbane colours.svg Mark Hohn
Second Row Illawarra colours.svg Bob Lindner Brisbane colours.svg Trevor Gillmeister
Second Row North Sydney colours.svg Gary Larson
Lock North Sydney colours.svg Billy Moore Illawarra colours.svg Bob Lindner
Interchange St. George colours.svg Mark Coyne Brisbane colours.svg Julian O'Neill Brisbane colours.svg Kevin Walters
Interchange Gold Coast Chargers colours.svg Dale Shearer Gold Coast Chargers colours.svg Steve Jackson Canterbury colours.svg Darren Smith
Interchange Brisbane colours.svg Mark Hohn North Sydney colours.svg Billy Moore Gold Coast Chargers colours.svg Steve Jackson
Interchange Brisbane colours.svg Andrew Gee Canterbury colours.svg Darren Smith North Sydney colours.svg Billy Moore
Coach Gold Coast Chargers colours.svg Wally Lewis

See also[]

Sources[]

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

External links[]

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