1986 Rugby League State of Origin series
Encyclopedia
The 1986 State of Origin
series was the 7th annual 'series contested between New South Wales and Queensland. It was the year that New South Wales finally asserted some dominance and won the series in the first ever 3-0 Origin whitewash. It was an inauspicious introduction to Origin coaching for Wayne Bennett who soon afterwards began plotting a reversal of fortunes that would lead to a pending period of Queensland dominance.
and Brett Kenny
that found the measure of Maroons star Wally Lewis
. Blues hooker Royce Simmons
typefied the newfound New South Wales' spirit when early in the opening game he was knocked senseless, after a vicious hit by Queensland's Greg Dowling
. He staggered back into position, falling over and regaining his feet then waving trainers away as he took his place in the defensive formation before pulling off a try-saving tackle on his own tryline soon after.
The Blues led 12-2 early but by half-time the lead was cut to 12-10. Two minutes after the break Queensland forged to the front when prop Greg Dowling
scored after centre Gene Miles
recovered a Wally Lewis bomb. The Maroons then began to tire and Man Of The Match Royce Simmons
scored from dummy half to spark a magnificent comeback, dummying past a bewildered Wally Lewis
. A mistake by Queensland winger Dale Shearer opened the door for Blues' centre Andrew Farrar
to score his first Origin try and the Blues led 22-16 with 13 minutes remaining and were able to hold onto a lead.
Simmons was interviewed in 2010: "The Queenslanders were going 'Ooohh, yeahh' when I fell over. They were really cheering me or bagging me or something...everytime I fell over. All I kept thinking was 'I can't get replaced; if I get replaced there goes my opportunity' so I struggled to get back up and few minutes later I was OK. It was a good win...and we played a very good Queensland side to do it"
Before a record Origin crowd of 40,707 at the SCG
, the class of Lewis and Queensland again led into the second half 16-12 after 52 minutes before Sterling and Kenny engineered a New South Wales onslaught. Man-of-the-match Sterling then threw a sweetly timed pass for Kenny to take New South Wales to an 18-16 lead and four minutes later second-rower Noel Cleal
crashed over between the posts for an unassailable 24-16 scoreline. Queensland scored in the final minutes through Shearer but their hopes of a last-ditched victory were dashed.
, but with Test positions on the line for the three clashes with New Zealand
and the end of season Kangaroo tour
plus the opportunity for New South Wales to become the first team to win 3-0, there was plenty to play for.
The first half produced one of Origin's most frenetic periods. By the time the teams left the field at the break seven tries had been scored and the scores were locked at 16-all. In the second stanza no more tries were added. The game was controversially won by a Michael O'Connor penalty goal after referee Kevin Roberts had penalised Maroon's skipper Lewis for offside when he appeared to be injured and out of play.
With the victory New South Wales enjoyed the first ever 3-0 series 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 7th annual 'series contested between New South Wales and Queensland. It was the year that New South Wales finally asserted some dominance and won the series in the first ever 3-0 Origin whitewash. It was an inauspicious introduction to Origin coaching for Wayne Bennett who soon afterwards began plotting a reversal of fortunes that would lead to a pending period of Queensland dominance.
Game I
The Blues finally brought to Origin a passion that had hitherto been associated mainly with Queensland and fielded a formidable halves pairing in Peter SterlingPeter 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...
and Brett Kenny
Brett Kenny
Brett Kenny is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. He was a five-eighth for the Australian national team, the New South Wales Blues representative side and the Parramatta Eels. He played in 17 Tests, made 17 State of Origin appearances and won 4...
that found the measure of Maroons star 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...
. Blues 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...
typefied the newfound New South Wales' spirit when early in the opening game he was knocked senseless, after a vicious hit by Queensland's Greg Dowling
Greg Dowling
Gregory Dowling is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. He represented both Australia and Queensland....
. He staggered back into position, falling over and regaining his feet then waving trainers away as he took his place in the defensive formation before pulling off a try-saving tackle on his own tryline soon after.
The Blues led 12-2 early but by half-time the lead was cut to 12-10. Two minutes after the break Queensland forged to the front when prop Greg Dowling
Greg Dowling
Gregory Dowling is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. He represented both Australia and Queensland....
scored after centre 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...
recovered a Wally Lewis bomb. The Maroons then began to tire and Man Of The Match 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...
scored from dummy half to spark a magnificent comeback, dummying past a bewildered 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...
. A mistake by Queensland winger Dale Shearer opened the door for Blues' centre Andrew Farrar
Andrew Farrar
Andrew Farrar is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He played for the Canterbury Bulldogs, Western Suburbs Magpies, Wigan Warriors and Illawarra Steelers. Farrar also played for New South Wales in the State of Origin on several occasions and played for Australia in the 1988...
to score his first Origin try and the Blues led 22-16 with 13 minutes remaining and were able to hold onto a lead.
Simmons was interviewed in 2010: "The Queenslanders were going 'Ooohh, yeahh' when I fell over. They were really cheering me or bagging me or something...everytime I fell over. All I kept thinking was 'I can't get replaced; if I get replaced there goes my opportunity' so I struggled to get back up and few minutes later I was OK. It was a good win...and we played a very good Queensland side to do it"
Game II
Queensland's preparation for game II was disrupted by injuries to key players and selectors were forced to name one of the Maroons' most inexperienced line-ups.Before a record Origin crowd of 40,707 at the SCG
Sydney Cricket Ground
The Sydney Cricket Ground is a sports stadium in Sydney in Australia. It is used for Australian football, Test cricket, One Day International cricket, some rugby league and rugby union matches and is the home ground for the New South Wales Blues cricket team and the Sydney Swans of the Australian...
, the class of Lewis and Queensland again led into the second half 16-12 after 52 minutes before Sterling and Kenny engineered a New South Wales onslaught. Man-of-the-match Sterling then threw a sweetly timed pass for Kenny to take New South Wales to an 18-16 lead and four minutes later second-rower Noel Cleal
Noel Cleal
Noel Harvey "Crusher" Cleal is an Australian former rugby league footballer who also had a successful coaching career...
crashed over between the posts for an unassailable 24-16 scoreline. Queensland scored in the final minutes through Shearer but their hopes of a last-ditched victory were dashed.
Game III
For the third year running the final match of the series was a Dead-rubberDead-rubber
Dead rubber is a term used in sporting parlance to describe a match in a series where the series result has already been decided by earlier matches...
, but with Test positions on the line for the three clashes with New Zealand
New Zealand national rugby league team
The New Zealand national rugby league team has represented New Zealand in rugby league football since intercontinental competition began for the sport in 1907. Administered by the New Zealand Rugby League, they are commonly known as the Kiwis, after the native bird of that name...
and the end of season Kangaroo tour
Kangaroo Tour
Kangaroo Tour is the name given to Australian national rugby league team tours of Great Britain and France. The first Kangaroo Tour was in 1908. Traditionally, Kangaroo Tours took place every four years and involved a three-Test Ashes series against Great Britain and a number of tour matches...
plus the opportunity for New South Wales to become the first team to win 3-0, there was plenty to play for.
The first half produced one of Origin's most frenetic periods. By the time the teams left the field at the break seven tries had been scored and the scores were locked at 16-all. In the second stanza no more tries were added. The game was controversially won by a Michael O'Connor penalty goal after referee Kevin Roberts had penalised Maroon's skipper Lewis for offside when he appeared to be injured and out of play.
With the victory New South Wales enjoyed the first ever 3-0 series whitewash.
New South Wales
| Position | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fullback | 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 | Steve Morris Steve Morris Steve Morris is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1970s and 80s. A state and national representative, his club career was played with the St. George Dragons and the Eastern Suburbs Roosters.... |
Brian Hetherington Brian Hetherington Brian Hetherington is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1970s and 80s. He played in the New South Wales Rugby League competition. He primarily played in the centres... |
Brian Johnston | |||
| Centre | Michael O'Connor | |||||
| Centre | Chris Mortimer Chris Mortimer Chris Mortimer is an Australian former professional rugby league player for the Canterbury Bulldogs, Penrith Panthers, New South Wales and for the Australian national side.... |
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| Wing | Andrew Farrar Andrew Farrar Andrew Farrar is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He played for the Canterbury Bulldogs, Western Suburbs Magpies, Wigan Warriors and Illawarra Steelers. Farrar also played for New South Wales in the State of Origin on several occasions and played for Australia in the 1988... |
Eric Grothe, Sr. Eric Grothe, Sr. Eric "Guru" Grothe is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1970s and 1980s. A New South Wales and Australian representative winger, he played club football for the Parramatta Eels with whom he won four NSWRL premierships... |
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| Five-Eighth | Brett Kenny Brett Kenny Brett Kenny is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. He was a five-eighth for the Australian national team, the New South Wales Blues representative side and the Parramatta Eels. He played in 17 Tests, made 17 State of Origin appearances and won 4... |
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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... |
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| Prop | Steve Roach | |||||
| 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... |
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| Prop | Peter Tunks Peter Tunks Peter Tunks is an Australian former rugby league player for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Penrith Panthers, New South Wales and the Australian national side... |
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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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| Second Row | 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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| 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) |
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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... |
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| Replacement | David Gillespie David Gillespie David "Cement" Gillespie is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A sturdy forward, he played for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Western Suburbs Magpies, Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, New South Wales and for the Australian national side... |
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| Coach |  Ron WilleyRon Willey Ron Willey was an Australian rugby league footballer and coach. He was a representative for the Australian national side. Post-playing, Willey had a long and successful first grade and State representative coaching career.-Club career:... |
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Queensland
| Position | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fullback | Colin Scott Colin Scott (rugby league) Colin Scott is an Indigenous Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1970s and 80s. He played the game at but could also play . Scott was also a back-up goal kicker for the teams he played with.... |
 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 | Dale Shearer Dale Shearer Dale Shearer is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative winger/fullback of Aboriginal heritage, he played club football in Queensland, New South Wales and England... |
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| Centre | Mal Meninga Mal Meninga Malcolm Norman Meninga AM is an Australian former rugby league test captain and current coach of Queensland's State of Origin team. As a player he was a legendary goal-kicking centre, counted amongst the finest footballers of the 20th century... |
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| Centre | 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... |
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| Wing | Chris Close Chris Close Christopher "Choppy" Close is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1970s, '80s and '90s. A robust three-quarter, he represented Australia internationally and Queensland in State of Origin, and played club football in Queensland and New South Wales... |
Les Kiss Les Kiss Les Kiss is an Australian former professional rugby league player in the New South Wales Rugby League, former rugby league coach and current rugby union coach.- Playing career :... |
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| Five-Eighth | 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 | Mark Murray Mark Murray (rugby league) Mark Murray is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He represented Australia in test matches and Queensland in the State of Origin. His position of choice was halfback... |
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| Prop | Greg Dowling Greg Dowling Gregory Dowling is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. He represented both Australia and Queensland.... |
Cavill Heugh Cavill Heugh Cavill Heugh is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A prop forward, he played in the Brisbane Rugby League premiership for Easts, winning the Rothmans Medal with them in 1984. The following year he made his State of Origin debut for the Maroons from the... |
 Brad TessmannBrad Tessmann Brad Tessmann is an Australian former professional rugby league player.He played in Souths' loss to Wynnum-Manly in the 1982 Brisbane Rugby League premiership's grand final. Tessmann's sole Test appearance was in Australia's 19–12 loss to New Zealand while playing for Brisbane Souths in 1983... |
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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 | Dave Brown Dave Brown (rugby league footballer Easts Manly) Dave Brown, was an Australian rugby league player in the 1980s, playing for Brisbane Souths, Eastern Suburbs and Manly-Warringah. He also played ten State of Origin matches for Queensland, scoring one try.He ended up playing in the Western Australian league in Perth as Captain/Coach of the... |
Darryl Brohman Darryl Brohman Darryl Brohman is an Australian former rugby league footballer, commentator and media personality. Brohman is best known for his time playing for the Penrith Panthers and the Queensland rugby league team... |
Cavill Heugh Cavill Heugh Cavill Heugh is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A prop forward, he played in the Brisbane Rugby League premiership for Easts, winning the Rothmans Medal with them in 1984. The following year he made his State of Origin debut for the Maroons from the... |
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| Second Row | Bryan Niebling Bryan Niebling Bryan Niebling is an Australian former rugby league footballer who played in the forwards. After a successful Brisbane Rugby League premiership and representative career for both his state and country, Niebling played in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership for the Brisbane Broncos from... |
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... |
Bryan Niebling Bryan Niebling Bryan Niebling is an Australian former rugby league footballer who played in the forwards. After a successful Brisbane Rugby League premiership and representative career for both his state and country, Niebling played in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership for the Brisbane Broncos from... |
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| Second Row | Gavin Jones Gavin Jones Gavin Jones is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. He played for Eastern Suburbs in Brisbane Rugby League premiership from age 19. He also played first-grade rugby league in New South Wales Rugby League premiership for North Sydney Bears and Cronulla Sharks.He is... |
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| Lock | 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... |
Ian French Ian French Ian French is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s. He's the brother of fellow Queensland State of Origin player Brett French. While playing in the Brisbane Rugby League premiership in 1985, French won the Rothmans Medal as player of the season... |
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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| Replacement | 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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| Replacement | Ian French Ian French Ian French is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s. He's the brother of fellow Queensland State of Origin player Brett French. While playing in the Brisbane Rugby League premiership in 1985, French won the Rothmans Medal as player of the season... |
Brad Tessmann Brad Tessmann Brad Tessmann is an Australian former professional rugby league player.He played in Souths' loss to Wynnum-Manly in the 1982 Brisbane Rugby League premiership's grand final. Tessmann's sole Test appearance was in Australia's 19–12 loss to New Zealand while playing for Brisbane Souths in 1983... |
Ian French Ian French Ian French is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s. He's the brother of fellow Queensland State of Origin player Brett French. While playing in the Brisbane Rugby League premiership in 1985, French won the Rothmans Medal as player of the season... |
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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
External links
- State of Origin 1986 at rugbyleagueproject.org