1998 State of Origin series

1998 State of Origin series
Won by	Queensland (9th title)
Series margin	2-1
Points scored	106
Attendance	115,469 (ave. 38,490 per match)
Top points scorer(s)	Darren Lockyer (14)
Top try scorer(s)	Walters, Langer, Brasher, McGregor (2)

The 1998 State of Origin series saw the 17th time that the annual three-game series between the Queensland and New South Wales representative rugby league football teams was contested entirely under 'state of origin' selection rules. The return of Super League-aligned stars to Origin following the end of the game's crippling civil war meant the stampeding Brisbane Broncos players were back - to the chagrin of the Blues.

Game I

22 May

New South Wales	23–24	Queensland
Rod Wishart (4 - 1t) Tim Brasher (4 - 1t) Laurie Daley (4 - 1t) Brad Fittler (4 - 1t) Steve Menzies (4 - 1t) Andrew Johns (3 - 1g,1fg)	(Report)	(8 - 4g) Darren Lockyer (4 - 1t) Kevin Walters (4 - 1t) Steve Price (4 - 1t) Allan Langer (4 - 1t) Tonie Carroll

Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney Attendance: 36,070 Referee/s: Bill Harrigan Man of the Match: Allan Langer

Game I was a classic Origin encounter with each side scrambling to gain ascendancy in front of a boisterous Sydney crowd. The Maroons capitalised on mistakes from their opposition to score twice early in the second half before the mercurial Brad Fittler crossed to regain the lead for New South Wales. When Steve Menzies scored close to full-time to give the Blues a 23-18 lead it seemed that they were heading for victory.

But with barely a minute remaining and Queensland stuck deep in their own territory, their five-eighth Kevin Walters produced the play of the series as he kicked ahead for replacement back Ben Ikin to regather. The Blues tried desperately to hold on for the few final tackles, but Walters destroyed their hopes by sending centre Tonie Carroll over alonsgide the posts. Darren Lockyer's conversion on debut after the siren gave Queensland a miracle 24-23 victory. It was a personal triumph for Walters coming only a few months after the death of his wife Kim.

Game II

5 June

Queensland	10–26	New South Wales
Wendell Sailor (4 - 1t) Matt Sing (4 - 1t) Darren Lockyer (2 - 1g)	(Report)	(8 - 2t) Paul McGregor (6 - 3g) Andrew Johns (4 - 1t) Brad Fittler (4 - 1t) Adam MacDougall (4 - 1t) Tim Brasher

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: 40,447 Referee/s: Bill Harrigan Man of the Match: Rodney Howe

In Game II, after falling behind early to a Wendell Sailor try, the Blues took control in the volatile surroundings of Suncorp Stadium. New South Wales centre Paul McGregor, replacing Andrew Ettingshausen in the starting line-up, scored twice and Brad Fittler added a third to give the visitors a commanding 20-6 lead from which the Maroons never recovered.

Andrew Johns was superb during the Blues' onslaught while Laurie Daley set up the try that levelled the score following Sailor's third-minute opener. A Tim Brasher try shortly after the break ended any hopes of another come-from-behind Queensland win and the final 26-10 scoreline was a fair reflection of the Blues domination over their opposition.

Game III

Before the Game III return to the Sydney Football Stadium for the decider there was little warning of the problems the New South Wales team were about to encounter when they were flattened by injury and illness. Six players from the selected squad including props Paul Harragon and Rodney Howe and inspirational hooker Geoff Toovey were forced to withdraw prior to the game.

19 June

New South Wales	4–19	Queensland
Ken McGuinness (4 - 1t)	(Report)	(4 - 1t) Kevin Walters (4- 1t) Ben Ikin (4- 1t) Allan Langer (4 - 2g) Darren Lockyer (2 - 1g) Robbie O'Davis (1 - 1fg) Jason Smith

Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney Attendance: 39,952 Referee/s: Bill Harrigan Man of the Match: Shane Webcke

Queensland emerged full of running, tries to Walters, dummying his way over and then Ikin, giving them a 12-4 lead before the brilliant Allan Langer wrapped up the series with a late try. A Jason Smith field goal rounded out the impressive Queensland 19-4 win.

New South Wales squad

Position	Game 1		Game 2		Game 3
Fullback	Tim Brasher
Wing	Rod Wishart
Centre	Andrew Ettingshausen		Paul McGregor		Laurie Daley (c)
Centre	Terry Hill
Wing	Adam MacDougall
Five-Eighth	Laurie Daley (c)				Brad Fittler
Halfback	Andrew Johns
Prop	Rodney Howe				Glenn Lazarus
Hooker	Geoff Toovey				Matthew Johns
Prop	Paul Harragon				Tony Butterfield
Second Row	Dean Pay				David Furner
Second Row	Nik Kosef		David Barnhill
Lock	Brad Fittler				Jim Dymock
Interchange	David Barnhill		Andrew Ettingshausen		Dean Pay
Interchange	Steve Menzies
Interchange	Matthew Johns		Nik Kosef		Robbie Kearns
Interchange	Ken McGuinness		Glenn Lazarus		Ken McGuinness
Coach	Tommy Raudonikis

Queensland squad

Position	Game 1		Game 2		Game 3
Fullback	Darren Lockyer
Wing	Wendell Sailor
Centre	Steve Renouf
Centre	Darren Smith				Ben Ikin
Wing	Matt Sing				Robbie O'Davis
Five-Eighth	Kevin Walters
Halfback	Allan Langer (c)
Prop	Shane Webcke
Hooker	Jason Hetherington				Jamie Goddard
Prop	Gary Larson
Second Row	Wayne Bartrim		Brad Thorn		Gorden Tallis
Second Row	Jason Smith		Gorden Tallis		Jason Smith
Lock	Peter Ryan		Wayne Bartrim		Darren Smith
Interchange	Ben Ikin				Matt Sing
Interchange	Steve Price
Interchange	Martin Lang				Peter Ryan
Interchange	Tonie Carroll				Andrew Gee
Coach	Wayne Bennett

See also

• 1998 NRL season

Sources

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