2002 Rugby League State of Origin series
Encyclopedia
The 2002 State of Origin
series was the 21st 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 the second drawn series in four years and being the second default title retention by Queensland it ignited protests from the New South Wales camp eventually accepted by the NRL, for the introduction of extra-time to State of Origin matches to ensure a definitive result.
, centre Jamie Lyon
and forwards Luke Bailey, Steve Simpson and Australian Test hooker Danny Buderus
. Lyon showed his worth early with a remarkable try in the 24th minute off an Andrew Johns
grubber kick on halfway.
Johns was named man of the match but it was Hodgson who stood tall after many had questioned the ability of the diminutive fullback to withstand the physical demands of Origin. The Parramatta Eels
fullback ran for a record 390 metres - more than twice that of any other player on the field - and capped his night with an 80 metre run from the scrumbase to score under the posts.
In a typical Origin script, Queensland managed to reverse the result in game II with a thrilling display to level the series. In a disastrous debut, Maroons centre Justin Hodges
emulated the feat of New South Wales' Phil Duke of twenty years earlier when he gathered a Johns kick in the 27th minute and fired a pass in goal to Darren Lockyer
, only to see the ball sail over Lockyer's head and Blues five-eighth Braith Anasta
pounce to give his side the lead. Then in the 61st minute Hodges did it again for Luke Ricketson
to score before he was eventually hauled from the field by coach Wayne Bennett as his confidence dropped.
On the other side of the field, Queensland centre Chris McKenna
was playing the match of his life as he assisted winger Lote Tuqiri to a three-try haul.
finished off a magnificent team movement with three minutes remaining to take an 18-14 lead. But Queensland back-rower Dane Carlaw
's try leveled the score at 18-all after a dramatic 50 metre burst, ensuring the title stayed with the Maroons.
Queensland skipper Gorden Tallis' reaction in giving the one-finger salute to a section of the crowd, right behind the northern tryline where Carlaw's try was scored, became a major after-match talking point. Tallis gained some sympathy when it was revealed that he was objecting to an offensive sign about his mother. But many again raised questions about his capacity to captain Australia with debate raging over the choice between Tallis or Andrew Johns
to succeed Brad Fittler
. Days later Johns was chosen to lead the Kangaroos
in the July Test against Great Britain. The vigorous debate, at the time, regarding the character needed to be Australian captain, is quite ironic, considering Andrew Johns
's drug disgrace mere years later.
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 21st year that the annual best-of-three series of interstate rugby league football matches contested between the Queensland
Queensland rugby league team
The Queensland rugby league team have represented the Australian state of Queensland in rugby league football since the sport's beginnings there in 1908...
and New South Wales
New South Wales rugby league team
The New South Wales rugby league team has represented the Australian state of New South Wales in rugby league football since the sport's beginnings there in 1907. Administered by the New South Wales Rugby League, the team competes in the annual State of Origin series against arch-rivals, the...
representative teams was played under 'State of Origin' selection rules. It was the second drawn series in four years and being the second default title retention by Queensland it ignited protests from the New South Wales camp eventually accepted by the NRL, for the introduction of extra-time to State of Origin matches to ensure a definitive result.
Game I
A young and enthusiastic New South Wales side proved far too good for their older opponents when they ran away with a 32-4 win in game I. The result suggessted a bright future for the Blues who unearthed a number of new stars in fullback Brett HodgsonBrett Hodgson
Brett Hodgson is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Warrington Wolves of Super League...
, centre Jamie Lyon
Jamie Lyon
Jamie Lyon is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently captains for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles of the National Rugby League...
and forwards Luke Bailey, Steve Simpson and Australian Test hooker Danny Buderus
Danny Buderus
Danny Buderus is an Australian professional rugby league player who currently plays for the Newcastle Knights in the NRL...
. Lyon showed his worth early with a remarkable try in the 24th minute off an Andrew Johns
Andrew Johns
Andrew Gary "Joey" Johns is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s who is considered by many to be the greatest player of all time. He was heralded as the world's best halfback for a number of years...
grubber kick on halfway.
Johns was named man of the match but it was Hodgson who stood tall after many had questioned the ability of the diminutive fullback to withstand the physical demands of Origin. The Parramatta Eels
Parramatta Eels
The Parramatta Eels are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Sydney suburb of Parramatta. The Parramatta District Rugby League Football Club was formed in 1947, with their First Grade side playing their first season in the New South Wales Rugby Football League...
fullback ran for a record 390 metres - more than twice that of any other player on the field - and capped his night with an 80 metre run from the scrumbase to score under the posts.
Game II
Queensland winger, Lote Tuqiri was charged with a dangerous throw in an NRL match and was left off the Queensland team sheet so he could plead guilty at the judiciary, allowing him to serve his ban on the Friday and be available for Game II the following Wednesday.In a typical Origin script, Queensland managed to reverse the result in game II with a thrilling display to level the series. In a disastrous debut, Maroons centre Justin Hodges
Justin Hodges
Justin Hodges is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League...
emulated the feat of New South Wales' Phil Duke of twenty years earlier when he gathered a Johns kick in the 27th minute and fired a pass in goal to Darren Lockyer
Darren Lockyer
Darren Lockyer is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer. He was the captain of the Australian national team, the Queensland State of Origin team and his National Rugby League club, the Brisbane Broncos. His professional career spanned between 1995 and 2011...
, only to see the ball sail over Lockyer's head and Blues five-eighth Braith Anasta
Braith Anasta
Braith Anasta is a Greek-Australian professional rugby league footballer who captains the Sydney Roosters of the National Rugby League...
pounce to give his side the lead. Then in the 61st minute Hodges did it again for Luke Ricketson
Luke Ricketson
Luke Ricketson is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. An Australian and Ireland international, and New South Wales State of Origin representative back-rower, he played his entire club football career for the Sydney Roosters of the NRL...
to score before he was eventually hauled from the field by coach Wayne Bennett as his confidence dropped.
On the other side of the field, Queensland centre Chris McKenna
Chris McKenna
Chris McKenna is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. He played for Queensland and Australia as well as club sides the Brisbane Broncos, South Queensland Crushers and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. His usual position was second row, though while he played...
was playing the match of his life as he assisted winger Lote Tuqiri to a three-try haul.
Game III
It was in this match that Gorden Tallis performed a famous tackle on Blues fullback, Brett Hodgson, dragging and eventually tossing him out of the field of play by the collar like a rag-doll. In a dramatic end to one of the most exciting series in years, the Blues thought they'd stolen the game when Jason MoodieJason Moodie
Jason Moodie is a former rugby league player in the NRL competition, who played for the Newcastle Knights, Parramatta Eels and Wests Tigers. Moodie's position of choice was on the wing....
finished off a magnificent team movement with three minutes remaining to take an 18-14 lead. But Queensland back-rower Dane Carlaw
Dane Carlaw
Dane Carlaw is an Australian professional rugby league footballer. He currently plays for the Brisbane Broncos in Australia's National Rugby League after spending three years in the European Super League competition playing for French side Catalans Dragons.-Early years:While attending Padua...
's try leveled the score at 18-all after a dramatic 50 metre burst, ensuring the title stayed with the Maroons.
Queensland skipper Gorden Tallis' reaction in giving the one-finger salute to a section of the crowd, right behind the northern tryline where Carlaw's try was scored, became a major after-match talking point. Tallis gained some sympathy when it was revealed that he was objecting to an offensive sign about his mother. But many again raised questions about his capacity to captain Australia with debate raging over the choice between Tallis or Andrew Johns
Andrew Johns
Andrew Gary "Joey" Johns is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s who is considered by many to be the greatest player of all time. He was heralded as the world's best halfback for a number of years...
to succeed Brad Fittler
Brad Fittler
Bradley Scott "Freddie" Fittler AM is an Australian professional rugby league football coach and former player. The current coach of NSW City team in the City vs. Country clash, he coached in the NRL for the Sydney Roosters between 2007 and 2009. As a player, Fittler captained both New South Wales...
. Days later Johns was chosen to lead the Kangaroos
Australian national rugby league team
The Australian national rugby league team have represented Australia in senior men's rugby league football competition since the establishment of the game in Australia in 1908. Administered by the Australian Rugby League, the Kangaroos' are ranked number one in the RLIF World Rankings...
in the July Test against Great Britain. The vigorous debate, at the time, regarding the character needed to be Australian captain, is quite ironic, considering Andrew Johns
Andrew Johns
Andrew Gary "Joey" Johns is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s who is considered by many to be the greatest player of all time. He was heralded as the world's best halfback for a number of years...
's drug disgrace mere years later.
New South Wales squad
| Position | Game I | Game II | Game III | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fullback |  Brett HodgsonBrett Hodgson Brett Hodgson is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Warrington Wolves of Super League... |
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| Wing |  Timana TahuTimana Tahu Timana James Aporo Tahu is an Australian professional rugby league footballer and former rugby union player, a dual-code international, currently playing for the Newcastle Knights in the National Rugby League. He formerly played for the New South Wales Waratahs in the Super 14 competition... |
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| Centre | Jamie Lyon Jamie Lyon Jamie Lyon is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently captains for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles of the National Rugby League... |
Matt Gidley |
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| Centre | Matt Gidley |
 Shaun TimminsShaun Timmins Shaun Timmins is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s... |
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| Wing | Jason Moodie Jason Moodie Jason Moodie is a former rugby league player in the NRL competition, who played for the Newcastle Knights, Parramatta Eels and Wests Tigers. Moodie's position of choice was on the wing.... |
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| Five-Eighth | Trent Barrett Trent Barrett Trent Barrett is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s... |
 Braith AnastaBraith Anasta Braith Anasta is a Greek-Australian professional rugby league footballer who captains the Sydney Roosters of the National Rugby League... |
Trent Barrett Trent Barrett Trent Barrett is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s... |
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| Halfback | Andrew Johns Andrew Johns Andrew Gary "Joey" Johns is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s who is considered by many to be the greatest player of all time. He was heralded as the world's best halfback for a number of years... (c) |
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| Prop | Luke Bailey |
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| Hooker | Danny Buderus Danny Buderus Danny Buderus is an Australian professional rugby league player who currently plays for the Newcastle Knights in the NRL... |
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| Prop | Mark O'Meley Mark O'Meley Mark O'Meley is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the European Super League team, Hull, and previously of the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League competition. He also previously played for the North Sydney Bears, the ill fated Northern Eagles and the Bulldogs... |
Jason Ryles Jason Ryles Jason Ryles is an Australian rugby league player. He has played in the National Rugby League for the Sydney Roosters and the St. George Illawarra Dragons and in Europe's Super League for the Catalans Dragons. He is contracted to play for the Melbourne Storm from 2012... |
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| Second Row | Steve Simpson Steve Simpson (rugby league footballer) Steve Simpson is a former Australian professional rugby league footballer. He played his whole career for the Newcastle Knights in the National Rugby League competition. He has also been selected to represent Country Origin, New South Wales and Australia... |
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| Second Row | Ben Kennedy Ben Kennedy Ben Kennedy , is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s... |
Nathan Hindmarsh Nathan Hindmarsh Nathan William Hindmarsh is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who captains the Parramatta Eels in the National Rugby League and the Australian Prime Minister's XIII... |
 Steve Menzies |
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| Lock |  Luke RicketsonLuke Ricketson Luke Ricketson is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. An Australian and Ireland international, and New South Wales State of Origin representative back-rower, he played his entire club football career for the Sydney Roosters of the NRL... |
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| Interchange | Braith Anasta Braith Anasta Braith Anasta is a Greek-Australian professional rugby league footballer who captains the Sydney Roosters of the National Rugby League... |
Steve Menzies |
Nathan Hindmarsh Nathan Hindmarsh Nathan William Hindmarsh is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who captains the Parramatta Eels in the National Rugby League and the Australian Prime Minister's XIII... |
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| Interchange | Bryan Fletcher Bryan Fletcher Bryan Fletcher is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. A New South Wales State of Origin and Australian international representative second-row-forward, he played his club football in Australia with the Sydney Roosters then the South Sydney Rabbitohs... |
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| Interchange | Nathan Hindmarsh Nathan Hindmarsh Nathan William Hindmarsh is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who captains the Parramatta Eels in the National Rugby League and the Australian Prime Minister's XIII... |
 Scott Hill |
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| Interchange | Michael Vella Michael Vella Michael Vella is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently captains English Super League club Hull Kingston Rovers. A New South Wales State of Origin and Australian international representative forward, he previously played in the NRL for the Parramatta Eels club... |
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| Coach | Phil Gould Phil Gould Phil Gould is an Australian rugby league broadcaster, journalist, administrator and former player and coach. Since the 1990s he has had a prominent role in Channel 9's coverage of rugby league, as a commentator on their match-day coverage, and appears on The Sunday Footy Show and The Sunday Roast... |
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Queensland squad
| Position | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fullback |  Darren LockyerDarren Lockyer Darren Lockyer is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer. He was the captain of the Australian national team, the Queensland State of Origin team and his National Rugby League club, the Brisbane Broncos. His professional career spanned between 1995 and 2011... |
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| Wing | Lote Tuqiri |
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| Centre |  Chris McKennaChris McKenna Chris McKenna is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. He played for Queensland and Australia as well as club sides the Brisbane Broncos, South Queensland Crushers and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. His usual position was second row, though while he played... |
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| Centre | Darren Smith |
Chris Walker |
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| Wing |  Clinton SchifcofskeClinton Schifcofske Clinton Schifcofske is an Australian rugby league footballer for the Crusaders in the European Super League. He has previously played for Irish rugby union club Ulster in the Magners League competition and also he spent a year with Queensland Reds in the Super 14... |
Justin Hodges Justin Hodges Justin Hodges is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League... |
Robbie O'Davis Robbie O'Davis Robbie O'Davis is an Australian retired rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. He represented Queensland and Australia, and played his entire club career with the Newcastle Knights, with whom he won two premierships.O'Davis' primarily played at fullback though he also occasionally played... |
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| Five-Eighth | Shaun Berrigan Shaun Berrigan Shaun Berrigan is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Canberra Raiders of the NRL. Brother of fellow professional, Barry, Shaun has also played for the Brisbane Broncos, Hull and the New Zealand Warriors... |
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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 | Shane Webcke Shane Webcke Shane Webcke is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer, who spent his entire top-grade career playing for the Brisbane Broncos. His position of choice was at prop forward and at his peak he was renowned as the best front rower in the world... |
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| Hooker |  Kevin CampionKevin Campion Kevin Campion is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. His positions of choice were in the second row and at lock. Kevin is the younger brother of Australian radio personality Paul Campion... |
PJ Marsh PJ Marsh Peter-John "PJ" Marsh is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played for a number of clubs in the National Rugby League. He has also played representative rugby league for Queensland in State of Origin. He is named after his uncle, Peter John Marsh, who was killed in a car... |
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| Prop |  John ButtigiegJohn Buttigieg (rugby league) John Buttigieg is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. A Queensland State of Origin representative prop forward, his club career was spent with the North Queensland Cowboys.-Biography:... |
Chris Beattie |
Petero Civoniceva Petero Civoniceva Petero Civoniceva is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently contracted to the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League... |
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| Second Row | Gorden Tallis Gorden Tallis Gorden James Tallis is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played from 1992 to 2004. He captained Australia and Queensland as well as the Brisbane Broncos club, with whom he won three premierships and one Clive Churchill Medal... (c) |
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| Second Row | Petero Civoniceva Petero Civoniceva Petero Civoniceva is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently contracted to the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League... |
Dane Carlaw Dane Carlaw Dane Carlaw is an Australian professional rugby league footballer. He currently plays for the Brisbane Broncos in Australia's National Rugby League after spending three years in the European Super League competition playing for French side Catalans Dragons.-Early years:While attending Padua... |
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| Lock | Dane Carlaw Dane Carlaw Dane Carlaw is an Australian professional rugby league footballer. He currently plays for the Brisbane Broncos in Australia's National Rugby League after spending three years in the European Super League competition playing for French side Catalans Dragons.-Early years:While attending Padua... |
Darren Smith |
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| Interchange | Chris Walker |
Travis Norton Travis Norton Travis Norton is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s... |
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| Interchange | John Doyle |
Steve Price |
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| Interchange | Carl Webb Carl Webb Carl Webb , is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer for the Parramatta Eels of the National Rugby League. An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative forward, he previously played for the Brisbane Broncos and the North Queensland Cowboys... |
Chris Flannery |
Andrew Gee Andrew Gee Andrew Gee is an Australian rugby league administrator and the current football operations manager at the Brisbane Broncos of the NRL... |
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| Interchange | Andrew Gee Andrew Gee Andrew Gee is an Australian rugby league administrator and the current football operations manager at the Brisbane Broncos of the NRL... |
Brent Tate Brent Tate Brent Tate is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the North Queensland Cowboys in the National Rugby League... |
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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