1997 State of Origin series

1997 State of Origin series
Won by	New South Wales (8th title)
Series margin	2-1
Points scored	73
Attendance	86,568 (ave. 28,856 per match)
Top points scorer(s)	Julian O'Neill (12)
Top try scorer(s)	Andrew Johns (2)

The 1997 State of Origin series was the 16th year that the annual best-of-three series of interstate rugby league football matches contested between the Queensland and New South Wales representative teams was played under 'State of Origin' selection rules. It was a dour series, fought out against the backdrop of public disillusion and a game bitterly divided due to the Super League war. The spirit was there, and some new faces, but the intensity wasn't quite the same.

Gone were established players Laurie Daley, Allan Langer, Ricky Stuart, Wendell Sailor, Glenn Lazarus, Bradley Clyde, Gorden Tallis and Kevin Walters - all representing their respective states in Super League's newly invented Tri-Series which included New Zealand.

For the ARL loyalists younger talent in Andrew Johns, Matt Sing, Ben Ikin, Adrian Lam, Trent Barrett, Steve Menzies and Robbie O'Davis all came of age in 1997. The New South Wales camp was brightened with the arrival of one of Australian rugby league's traditional and colourful characters in Tommy Raudonikis as coach who guided New South Wales to their fifth series win in six years on the back of the strong legacy left by Raudonikis' predecessor coach Phil Gould.

Game I

28 May	Queensland	6–8	New South Wales	Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: 28,222 Referee/s: Kelvin Jeffes Man of the Match: Geoff Toovey
	Adrian Lam(4 - 1t) Wayne Bartrim (2 - 1g)	(Report)	(4 - 1t) Paul McGregor (2 - 1g) Andrew Johns (2 - 1g) Rod Wishart

Tommy Raudonikis' Blues gained the ascendency in game I - a match lacking the traditional early Origin intensity but which came alive in the second half as the prospect of a New South Wales triumph became reality. The Blues lead 8-0 at half-time after a try to Paul McGregor in the 31st minute and a goal each to Rod Wishart and Andrew Johns.

Injuries conspired against the visitors with McGregor, Wishart and Johns all forced from the field and sensing vulnerability the Maroons surged back. Queensland dominated the second-half but the Blues defence held out. Eventually weight of possession told and the Blues were cut to a 2 point lead when Maroons debutant Adrian Lam - a Papua New Guinean representative given dispensation to play Origin since 1995 - scored in the 68th minute.

New South Wales' brave and nuggety hooker Geoff Toovey lifted for the occasion and in the last ten minutes made a series of probing darts which kept the Maroons on the back foot and which earned him man-of-the-match honours and victory for the Blues.

Game II

11 June	New South Wales	15–14	Queensland	MCG, Melbourne Attendance: 25,105 Referee/s: David Manson Man of the Match: Paul McGregor
	Ken McGuinness (4 - 1t) Nik Kosef (4 - 1t) Jim Dymock (4 - 1t) John Simon (3 - 1g, 1fg)	(Report)	(4 - 1t) Matt Sing (4 - 1t) Robbie O'Davis (4 - 1t) Brett Dallas (2 - 1g) Julian O'Neill

New South Wales looked to have wrapped up Game II by racing to a 14-0 lead after just 27 minutes via tries to Ken McGuinness, Nik Kosef and Jim Dymock. However Queensland kept their cool and reduced the deficit to 14-10 at halftime with two tries in four minutes to Matt Sing and Robbie O'Davis.

The Maroons levelled the scores five minutes after the break when Brett Dallas broke a Jamie Ainscough tackle and crossed for 14-all. There were no further points in a classic tight contest until the 69th minute when Blues half John Simon landed a 26-metre field goal. The Queensland camp was left to rue a missed penalty attempt by Julian O'Neill in the dying minutes, presenting NSW victory and their fifth series win in six years.

Game III

Game III was dead-rubber with only pride and soul at stake for the Maroons who were facing their second consecutive whitewash.

25 June	Queensland	18–12	New South Wales	SFS, Sydney Attendance: 33,241 Referee/s: Eddie Ward Man of the Match: Gary Larson
	Julian O'Neill (10 - 1t, 3g) Ben Ikin (4 - 1t) Mark Coyne (4 - 1t)	(Report)	(6 - 1t,1g) Andrew Johns (4 - 1t) Jamie Ainscough (2 - 1g) John Simon

Queensland were outstanding on the night at the Blues' home ground and broke a five-game losing streak to win 18-12. Ben Ikin was the Maroons' hero, scoring a superb solo try after just four minutes and then firing a pass for Julian O'Neill to extend the Queensland lead to 12-0 at the 13-minute mark. New South Wales came back with tries to Ainscough and Johns but a Mark Coyne try sealed the victory for the Maroons.

New South Wales teams

Position	Game 1		Game 2		Game 3
Fullback	Tim Brasher
Wing	Rod Wishart		Ken McGuinness
Centre	Terry Hill
Centre	Paul McGregor				Jamie Ainscough
Wing	Jamie Ainscough				Matt Seers
Five-Eighth	Jim Dymock				Trent Barrett
Halfback	Geoff Toovey (c)		John Simon		Geoff Toovey (c)
Prop	Paul Harragon
Hooker	Andrew Johns		Geoff Toovey (c)		Andrew Johns
Prop	Mark Carroll
Second Row	Steve Menzies
Second Row	Adam Muir
Lock	Nik Kosef
Interchange	David Fairleigh
Interchange	Dean Pay
Interchange	John Simon		Matt Seers		John Simon
Interchange	Ken McGuinness		Aaron Raper		Michael Buettner
Coach	Tommy Raudonikis

Queensland teams

Position	Game 1		Game 2		Game 3
Fullback	Robbie O'Davis
Wing	Brett Dallas
Centre	Matt Sing		Stuart Kelly		Mark Coyne
Centre	Mark Coyne				Julian O'Neill
Wing	Danny Moore		Matt Sing
Five-Eighth	Ben Ikin
Halfback	Adrian Lam (c)
Prop	Neil Tierney				Clinton O'Brien
Hooker	Jamie Goddard		Wayne Bartrim		Jamie Goddard
Prop	Craig Smith				Neil Tierney
Second Row	Gary Larson
Second Row	Billy Moore		Jason Smith
Lock	Wayne Bartrim		Billy Moore
Interchange	Jason Smith		Jamie Goddard		Stuart Kelly
Interchange	Jeremy Schloss
Interchange	Tony Hearn		Clinton O'Brien		Craig Smith
Interchange	Stuart Kelly		Julian O'Neill		Wayne Bartrim
Coach	Paul Vautin

See also

• Super League Tri-series
• 1997 ARL season

References

Sources

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

External links

• 1997 State of Origin at sportsphotography.net