Laurie survives visit into heart of enemy territory
Origin III Qld 16 def NSW 10 At ANZ Stadium
THIS deciding game will be remembered for three things: a first-minute brawl after a tackle on NSW forward Ben Cross, a Nate Myles hit on Cross – which could well have resulted in the Queensland front-rower being sent off (he later copped a six-match ban) – and the brilliance of Johnathan Thurston. With the game tied at 10-10 and the series on the line at ANZ Stadium, Thurston, from within his own half, got the ball at first-receiver and threw a dummy, slicing through the defensive line before passing to Billy Slater, who was running through in support and scored the match-winning try under the posts. The conversion was simple and Queensland regained the lead at 16-10. Despite NSW threatening for the final 10 minutes, the Maroons held on for their third series win in three years.
Origin III Qld 19 def NSW 4 At Sydney Football Stadium
QUEENSLAND had won the first match in 1998 in a thriller at the same venue 24-23. In game two, Andrew Johns was the master as NSW fought back to win 26-10 at Suncorp Stadium. Before the decider, there was little warning of the problems the NSW 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. Queensland emerged full of running. Tries to Kevin Walters and Ben Ikin gave the Maroons a 12-4 lead before the brilliant Allan Langer (pictured) wrapped up the series with a late try. A Jason Smith field goal rounded out the impressive 19-4 win.
Game III Qld 38 def NSW 22 At Sydney Football Stadium
AFTER winning the first two games in 1988 the Maroons had the opportunity to record the first clean sweep of their own. In one of the most free-flowing games in the history of State of Origin, the Maroons proved far too strong for their rivals and claimed the whitewash with a very comfortable 38-22 victory at the Sydney Football Stadium. Origin III was barely a contest and the poor Sydney crowd of 16,910 reflected as much. With the series already decided, Queensland was unstoppable and Sam Backo grabbed a try double as the Maroons raced in seven, with Gary Belcher, the late Peter Jackson, Joe Kilroy, Wally Lewis, Allan Langer and Brett French also crossing the tryline. Wayne Pearce (pictured) was one of four try scorers for NSW. THIS was the day a NSW legend ventured into the most hostile pub in Queensland.
But he did it while accompanied by a fairly handy bodyguard.
Former NSW five-eighth, skipper and coach Laurie Daley was invited for a beer at the iconic Caxton Hotel, just 200m from Suncorp Stadium, this week.
This is the pub that is heaving on Origin night, with boozy blokes pumped and primed to cheer Queensland home.
It’s the same pub where patrons used to try to tip over the NSW team bus.
It is a true State of Origin landmark, selling 10,000 beers on Origin night as the staff swells to nearly 100.
And here was Daley showing some NSW courage by turning up for a few beers in true enemy territory.
Daley’s not silly though – he wandered in alongside good mate and ex-Queensland champion Gorden Tallis.
The patrons were in good spirits, Daley avoiding any drama or harassment.
Some drinkers actually asked for selfies. The pub’s owner, Steve Farquhar, even shouted beers. Has Queensland gone soft? There might not be the same friendly reception were Daley to call in to the same pub tonight for an ale.
The punters will be feral and wanting NSW blood.
Daley said with a laugh: “I did have protection when I walked in here with Gordie – it’s good.
“The Caxton is a popular CHEERS: Queensland legend Gorden Tallis and former NSW coach and player Laurie Daley catch up at Brisbane’s Caxton Hotel. venue up here in Queensland. I thought we could come here for a beer.
“There are 4000 to 5000 people on this street on Origin night. The bars and restaurants are always massive.
“I always try and meet up with Gordie for a beer. He’s a great mate of mine.
“Whenever I played I always wanted to go into battle with a bloke like Gorden Tallis.”
Tallis added: “Laurie is all right … he’s with me.
“They respect Laurie but if he wasn’t with me they’d probably call him a wanker.
“You’d expect that … you should hear what they call me in New South Wales.
“When Laurie was coach of New South Wales, he was hard to dislike.”
Tallis called for the Queensland team bus to run down Caxton Street once again en route to Suncorp Stadium.
“Every Origin player should still experience it,” he said.
“Not New South Wales, they don’t deserve to, it’s not their state. They have to create their own legacy.
“But as for Queensland, to drive down this street and see a guy from underground from Mt Isa, and they have tears in their eyes with their son … the pride you see in their faces.
“That’s win, lose or draw because it means something to us.
“I would love to see it open again.
“I know there is safety but there are barricades – they do have a mardi gras with big trucks going down. You can do it safely.”
— Dean Ritchie