1988 Rugby League State of Origin series
Encyclopedia
The 1988 State of Origin
series was the 9th annual 'series contested between New South Wales and Queensland.
Queensland enjoyed their first ever 3–0 series whitewash mirroring a feat New South Wales had first achieved two years earlier. The series produced an ugly and enduring Origin image when in game II the parochial Queensland crowd showered the Lang Park playing arena with beer cans in protest at the sin-binning of their captain Wally Lewis
.
. Supporters were stunned when he was ruled out of game I with a shoulder injury. He had captained the Maroons on 20 occasions (out of 21 appearances) and won eight man-of-the-match awards, establishing himself as an Origin great. The selectors' answer to his absence was Peter Jackson
the Canberra Raiders
' resident comic who prided himself on wisecracks and high jinks. However Jackson had honed his organisational and kicking skills at Canberra and was ready to fill Lewis' role.
New South Wales had expected to dominate in the encounter but were flat from the outset. In the first-ever Origin game held at the newly built Sydney Football Stadium the Maroons seized upon what Vautin termed the "neutral atmosphere".
New five-eighth Jackson played well and fullback Gary Belcher
provided support with general play kicking while pint-sized Allan Langer
provided the attacking thrust. Jackson was a natural tackler and together with stand-in captain Paul Vautin
led with words of inspiration.
Langer scampered across the line twice to give Queensland a 12-6 lead at half-time and after the break the procession of Queensland tries continued. Jackson, Belcher and Origin debutant Alan McIndoe
all scored to give the Maroons an unassailable 26-6 lead before two late tries to Andrew Ettingshausen
and Mark McGaw
earned New South Wales some respectability on the scoreboard.
was banished to the sin-bin
by referee Mick Stone for dissent after a scuffle between Phil Daley
and Greg Conescu
developed into an all-in brawl. The parochial Queensland crowd was outraged and with their hero Lewis in the sheds the ground was showered with beer cans amid chants of "send Stone off".
After order was restored the complexion of the game changed. The Blues were visibly rattled and a minute after play resumed big Maroon prop Sam Backo
crashed over to give Queensland a 10-6 lead. When Allan Langer
later clinched the game at 16-6 and the series by taking an inside pass from Conescu to score, Lewis by now back from his exile, carried Langer back from the Blues' tryline in jubilation.
grabbed a try double as the Maroons raced in seven tries to whip the Blues 38–22. Queensland had swept New South Wales 3–0 in their maiden whitewash.
Rugby League State of Origin
State of Origin is an annual best of three series of rugby league football matches contested by the Maroons and the Blues, who represent the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales respectively...
series was the 9th annual 'series contested between New South Wales and Queensland.
Queensland enjoyed their first ever 3–0 series whitewash mirroring a feat New South Wales had first achieved two years earlier. The series produced an ugly and enduring Origin image when in game II the parochial Queensland crowd showered the Lang Park playing arena with beer cans in protest at the sin-binning of their captain Wally Lewis
Wally Lewis
Walter James "Wally" Lewis AM is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer and coach. Currently a commentator of the sport, he is widely regarded as the greatest rugby league player of all time...
.
Game One
Coming into the 1988 opener, Queensland had not yet experienced an Origin match without Wally LewisWally Lewis
Walter James "Wally" Lewis AM is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer and coach. Currently a commentator of the sport, he is widely regarded as the greatest rugby league player of all time...
. Supporters were stunned when he was ruled out of game I with a shoulder injury. He had captained the Maroons on 20 occasions (out of 21 appearances) and won eight man-of-the-match awards, establishing himself as an Origin great. The selectors' answer to his absence was Peter Jackson
Peter Jackson (rugby league)
Peter Jackson was an Australian professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and '90s. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative back, he played club football in both Queensland and New South Wales as well as a season in England...
the Canberra Raiders
Canberra Raiders
The Canberra Raiders are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the national capital city of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. They have competed in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership since 1982...
' resident comic who prided himself on wisecracks and high jinks. However Jackson had honed his organisational and kicking skills at Canberra and was ready to fill Lewis' role.
New South Wales had expected to dominate in the encounter but were flat from the outset. In the first-ever Origin game held at the newly built Sydney Football Stadium the Maroons seized upon what Vautin termed the "neutral atmosphere".
New five-eighth Jackson played well and fullback Gary Belcher
Gary Belcher
Gary Belcher is an Australian rugby league football commentator and former player of the 1980s and '90s. An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative goal-kicking fullback, he played club football in the Brisbane Rugby League premiership for Souths and in the NSWRL...
provided support with general play kicking while pint-sized Allan Langer
Allan Langer
Allan "Alfie" Langer AM is an Australian former multi-award-winning rugby league footballer of the 1980s, 90s and 2000s who works as an assistant coach for the Australian national team and Brisbane Broncos...
provided the attacking thrust. Jackson was a natural tackler and together with stand-in captain Paul Vautin
Paul Vautin
Paul Vautin , is an Australian sports television personality and former rugby league footballer and coach. He currently hosts the NRL Footy Show and provides commentary for the Nine Network's coverage of rugby league matches...
led with words of inspiration.
Langer scampered across the line twice to give Queensland a 12-6 lead at half-time and after the break the procession of Queensland tries continued. Jackson, Belcher and Origin debutant Alan McIndoe
Alan McIndoe
Alan McIndoe is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative winger, he played club football in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership for the Illawarra Steelers, with whom he topped the League's...
all scored to give the Maroons an unassailable 26-6 lead before two late tries to Andrew Ettingshausen
Andrew Ettingshausen
Andrew Ettingshausen is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. He played his first grade Australian club football for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, retiring with the record of most games at a single club, with 328...
and Mark McGaw
Mark McGaw
Mark McGaw is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. He achieved national and state representative honours in the sport and following his retirement became one of the Gladiators in the Australian version of the TV show...
earned New South Wales some respectability on the scoreboard.
Game Two
New South Wales played with passion, looked the better side in game II and were leading 6-4 with 18 minutes to go. Then Wally LewisWally Lewis
Walter James "Wally" Lewis AM is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer and coach. Currently a commentator of the sport, he is widely regarded as the greatest rugby league player of all time...
was banished to the sin-bin
Penalty box
The penalty box is the area in ice hockey, rugby league, rugby union and some other sports where a player sits to serve the time of a given penalty, for an offense not severe enough to merit outright expulsion from the contest...
by referee Mick Stone for dissent after a scuffle between Phil Daley
Phil Daley
Phil Daley is an Australian former premiership-winning and representative rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. His club career was played with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles and the Gold Coast Chargers...
and Greg Conescu
Greg Conescu
Greg "Turtle" Conescu is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s. An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative hooker, he played all of his club football in Queensland with Norths Devils Gladstone Brothers, Redcliffe and the Brisbane...
developed into an all-in brawl. The parochial Queensland crowd was outraged and with their hero Lewis in the sheds the ground was showered with beer cans amid chants of "send Stone off".
After order was restored the complexion of the game changed. The Blues were visibly rattled and a minute after play resumed big Maroon prop Sam Backo
Sam Backo
Sam Backo is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s who has been named as one of the greatest Aboriginal players of the 20th century. He represented Australia and Queensland, and played club football in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership for the Canberra...
crashed over to give Queensland a 10-6 lead. When Allan Langer
Allan Langer
Allan "Alfie" Langer AM is an Australian former multi-award-winning rugby league footballer of the 1980s, 90s and 2000s who works as an assistant coach for the Australian national team and Brisbane Broncos...
later clinched the game at 16-6 and the series by taking an inside pass from Conescu to score, Lewis by now back from his exile, carried Langer back from the Blues' tryline in jubilation.
Game Three
Game III of 1988 was barely a contest and the feeble Sydney crowd of 16,910 reflected as much. With the series already decided, both teams opened up in a game of entertaining, free-flowing football. Queensland were unstoppable and Sam BackoSam Backo
Sam Backo is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s who has been named as one of the greatest Aboriginal players of the 20th century. He represented Australia and Queensland, and played club football in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership for the Canberra...
grabbed a try double as the Maroons raced in seven tries to whip the Blues 38–22. Queensland had swept New South Wales 3–0 in their maiden whitewash.
New South Wales
| Position | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fullback | Jonathan Docking Jonathan Docking Jonathan Docking is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer. He played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. His position of choice on the football field was fullback. He also went on to play State of Origin for New South Wales in 1987 and 1988.... |
Garry Jack Garry Jack Garry Jack is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He was a representative in the Australian national team and star player with the Balmain Tigers. Jack was a for the Tigers during the late 1980s and early 1990s, under the captaincy of Wayne Pearce and the coaching of Warren Ryan... |
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| Wing | Brian Johnston | John Ferguson | ||||||
| Centre | Mark McGaw Mark McGaw Mark McGaw is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. He achieved national and state representative honours in the sport and following his retirement became one of the Gladiators in the Australian version of the TV show... |
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| Centre | Michael O'Connor | |||||||
| Wing | Andrew Ettingshausen Andrew Ettingshausen Andrew Ettingshausen is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. He played his first grade Australian club football for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, retiring with the record of most games at a single club, with 328... |
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| Five-Eighth | Cliff Lyons Cliff Lyons Cliff Lyons is an indigenous Australian former international-level rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s... |
Terry Lamb Terry Lamb Terry Lamb OAM, is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer and coach. He played 349 games , with Wests , and Canterbury . Lamb was known for his support of the ball-carrier - his ability to be in the right place at the right time netted him 164 tries. This earned him the moniker... |
Cliff Lyons Cliff Lyons Cliff Lyons is an indigenous Australian former international-level rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s... |
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| Halfback | Peter Sterling Peter Sterling Peter Maxwell John "Sterlo" Sterling OAM is an Australian rugby league commentator and former player. He was one of the all-time great halfbacks and a major contributor to Parramatta Eels' dominance of the New South Wales Rugby League premiership in the 1980s. Sterling played nineteen Tests for... |
Des Hasler Des Hasler Des Hasler is an Australian former professional rugby league player and current head coach of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. He played in 309 matches in a first-grade career spanning 16 seasons. Most of his career was spent with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, with whom he won two premierships... |
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| Prop | Les Davidson Les Davidson Les Davidson is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. He played for the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and represented at both the State and national levels. His position of choice on the field was in the second row or as prop forward.Davidson... |
Phil Daley Phil Daley Phil Daley is an Australian former premiership-winning and representative rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. His club career was played with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles and the Gold Coast Chargers... |
Steve Hanson Steve Hanson Steve Hanson is a former professional rugby league player in the New South Wales Rugby League competition. He played for the North Sydney Bears and Eastern Suburbs. Hanson primarily played in the front row.... |
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| Hooker | Royce Simmons Royce Simmons Royce Simmons is an Australian professional rugby league football coach and former player, currently the head coach of St Helens RLFC in the European Super League... |
Ben Elias | ||||||
| Prop | Steve Roach | |||||||
| Second Row | Noel Cleal Noel Cleal Noel Harvey "Crusher" Cleal is an Australian former rugby league footballer who also had a successful coaching career... |
Wayne Pearce Wayne Pearce Wayne John Pearce OAM is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. An athletic Lock Forward for the Balmain Tigers, he was affectionately known as 'Junior'... (c) |
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| Second Row | Steve Folkes Steve Folkes Steve Folkes is a former Australian rugby league test footballer and former coach of the Bulldogs in the National Rugby League... |
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| Lock | Wayne Pearce Wayne Pearce Wayne John Pearce OAM is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. An athletic Lock Forward for the Balmain Tigers, he was affectionately known as 'Junior'... (c) |
Paul Langmack Paul Langmack Paul Langmack is an Australian former rugby league coach and representative and premiership-winning player.-Playing Career:While attending Fairfield Patrician Brothers, Langmack played for the Australian Schoolboys team in 1982.... |
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| Replacement | Terry Lamb Terry Lamb Terry Lamb OAM, is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer and coach. He played 349 games , with Wests , and Canterbury . Lamb was known for his support of the ball-carrier - his ability to be in the right place at the right time netted him 164 tries. This earned him the moniker... |
Des Hasler Des Hasler Des Hasler is an Australian former professional rugby league player and current head coach of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. He played in 309 matches in a first-grade career spanning 16 seasons. Most of his career was spent with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, with whom he won two premierships... |
Greg Florimo Greg Florimo Greg Florimo is a retired Australian Rugby League player and administrator known for his lifelong association with the North Sydney Bears both as a player and a manager.... |
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| Replacement | David Trewhella David Trewhella David Trewhella is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. After playing junior football in Newcastle, he started his senior football career in Queensland, playing for Redcliffe. He was named their player of the year in 1984. In 1986 Trewhella moved to Sydney where he... |
Paul Dunn Paul Dunn (rugby league) Paul Dunn is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A New Souht Wales State of Origin and Australian international representative forward, he played club football in Sydney for Eastern Suburbs, Canterbury-Bankstown, Parramatta and Penrith.-Biography:Dunn was... |
Noel Cleal Noel Cleal Noel Harvey "Crusher" Cleal is an Australian former rugby league footballer who also had a successful coaching career... |
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| Coach |  John PeardJohn Peard John "Bomber" Peard is an Australian former rugby league footballer and later coach. An Australian international representative five-eighth, he played for the Eastern Suburbs, St. George and Parramatta NSWRFL clubs in the 1960s and 70s... |
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Queensland
| Position | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fullback |  Gary BelcherGary Belcher Gary Belcher is an Australian rugby league football commentator and former player of the 1980s and '90s. An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative goal-kicking fullback, he played club football in the Brisbane Rugby League premiership for Souths and in the NSWRL... |
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| Wing | Alan McIndoe Alan McIndoe Alan McIndoe is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative winger, he played club football in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership for the Illawarra Steelers, with whom he topped the League's... |
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| Centre |  Gene MilesGene Miles Gene Miles is a retired Australian rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative centre, he played his club football in the Brisbane Rugby League premiership before joining the Brisbane Broncos whom he captained.-BRL:A... |
Peter Jackson Peter Jackson (rugby league) Peter Jackson was an Australian professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and '90s. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative back, he played club football in both Queensland and New South Wales as well as a season in England... |
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| Centre | Tony Currie | Gene Miles Gene Miles Gene Miles is a retired Australian rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative centre, he played his club football in the Brisbane Rugby League premiership before joining the Brisbane Broncos whom he captained.-BRL:A... |
Tony Currie | |||||
| Wing | Joe Kilroy Joe Kilroy "Smokin" Joe Kilroy is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A Queensland State of Origin representative winger/fullback, he played club football in the BRL Premiership with Brothers and Norths and in the NSWRL Premiership with the Brisbane Broncos.Early in his... |
Tony Currie | Joe Kilroy Joe Kilroy "Smokin" Joe Kilroy is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A Queensland State of Origin representative winger/fullback, he played club football in the BRL Premiership with Brothers and Norths and in the NSWRL Premiership with the Brisbane Broncos.Early in his... |
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| Five-Eighth | Peter Jackson Peter Jackson (rugby league) Peter Jackson was an Australian professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and '90s. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative back, he played club football in both Queensland and New South Wales as well as a season in England... |
Wally Lewis Wally Lewis Walter James "Wally" Lewis AM is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer and coach. Currently a commentator of the sport, he is widely regarded as the greatest rugby league player of all time... (c) |
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| Halfback | Allan Langer Allan Langer Allan "Alfie" Langer AM is an Australian former multi-award-winning rugby league footballer of the 1980s, 90s and 2000s who works as an assistant coach for the Australian national team and Brisbane Broncos... |
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| Prop | Sam Backo Sam Backo Sam Backo is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s who has been named as one of the greatest Aboriginal players of the 20th century. He represented Australia and Queensland, and played club football in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership for the Canberra... |
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| Hooker | Greg Conescu Greg Conescu Greg "Turtle" Conescu is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s. An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative hooker, he played all of his club football in Queensland with Norths Devils Gladstone Brothers, Redcliffe and the Brisbane... |
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| Prop | Martin Bella Martin Bella Martin Bella is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A prop forward, he achieved national and state representation and played club football for various teams in Queensland, New South Wales and England. He is of Italian descent.... |
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| Second Row | Wally Fullerton-Smith | |||||||
| Second Row | Bob Lindner Bob Lindner Bob Lindner is a former Australian representative rugby league player and coach. He represented his country in the sport and is one of a handful of players to be man-of-the-match in State of Origin football more than once... |
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| Lock | Paul Vautin Paul Vautin Paul Vautin , is an Australian sports television personality and former rugby league footballer and coach. He currently hosts the NRL Footy Show and provides commentary for the Nine Network's coverage of rugby league matches... (c) |
Paul Vautin Paul Vautin Paul Vautin , is an Australian sports television personality and former rugby league footballer and coach. He currently hosts the NRL Footy Show and provides commentary for the Nine Network's coverage of rugby league matches... |
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| Replacement | Brett French Brett French Brett French is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s. A Queensland State of Origin representative, he played club football in Brisbane, Sydney and the Gold Coast... |
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| Replacement |  Scott TroncScott Tronc Scott Tronc is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A Queensland State of Origin representative forward, he played club football in Brisbane with Souths, winning a premiership with them in 1985, and later the Broncos, and in Sydney with Wests, Canterbury-Bankstown and... |
 Trevor GillmeisterTrevor Gillmeister Trevor Gillmeister is an Australian former rugby league player who is currently signed on as an assistant coach at the Gold Coast Titans. During his playing days Gillmeister played for the Sydney Roosters, Brisbane Broncos, Penrith Panthers and the South Queensland Crushers as well as... |
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| Coach | Wayne Bennett |
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Sources
- Big League's 25 Years of Origin Collectors' Edition, News Magazines, Surry Hills, Sydney