2003 State of Origin series

Australian rugby league series August 2019 2003 10th 150px 16px New South Wales 2-1 110 183682 16px Andrew Johns (22) 16px Anthony Minichiello (3)16px Timana Tahu (3)16px Matt Sing (3) The 2003 State of Origin series was the 22nd year that the annual three-game series between Queensland and New South Wales was contested entirely under 'state of origin' selection rules. Queensland's return to a renovated Lang Park was soured when Andrew Johns returned to form for New South Wales in devastating fashion. Arnold Schwarzenegger appeared in television promotions for the 2003 series. Jacquelin Magnay, Anthony Dennis and Alex Brown Hasta la vista, baby: Blues make it Terminator II The Sydney Morning Herald Australia Fairfax Media 26 June 2003 https://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/06/25/1056449308009.html 6 February 2011 Maddox Garry Arnie the holiday winner The Sydney Morning Herald Australia Fairfax Media 26 June 2003 https://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/07/25/1059084202658.html 6 February 2011 Blues coach Phil Gould sparked controversy before the series had even started when he slammed the form of his champion half-back Johns in his Sun-Herald column. Gould claimed that Johns had lost his "self-confidence" in an attack that caused outrage from all corners, including Johns himself, who had words with Gould at a pre-Origin briefing. But in the end it was psychology that worked, as 2003 was Johns' best ever series performance. __TOC__ Game I #eeeeee Wednesday, 11 June 2003 16px New South Wales 12–25 (Report) Queensland 16px Darren Lockyer (8 - 1t,2g) Gorden Tallis (4 -1t) (13 - 1t,4g,1fg) Andrew Johns (8 - 2t) Anthony Minichiello (4 -1t) Craig Wing Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane 52,429 Bill Harrigan2003 Game I at nrlstats.com Luke Bailey In Game I, Andrew Johns spoiled what was supposed to be a party time for the Queenslanders, who returned to their spiritual home of Suncorp Stadium formerly known as Lang Park. The ground was quickly nicknamed the "Sand Pit" as its sandy surface was constantly shifting under the feet of players. Both Maroons centres Justin Hodges and Paul Bowman, were taken from the field with serious knee injuries which were later blamed on the shifting surface. The Blues pack led by interchange prop Luke Bailey, hammered their Maroons counterparts and gave Johns plenty of room to weave his magic. Johns contributed 13 points to the tally while Anthony Minichiello scored a try double. Game II #eeeeee Wednesday, 25 June 2003 New South Wales 16px 27–4 (Report) 16px Queensland (8 - 2t) Timana Tahu (7 - 3g,1fg) Andrew Johns (4 - 1t) Ben Kennedy (4 - 1t)Matthew Gidley (4 - 1t) Anthony Minichiello Michael Crocker (4 - 1t) Telstra Stadium, Sydney 79,132 Bill Harrigan2003 Game II at nrlstats.com Andrew Johns The series was virtually decided by half-time of game II after the Blues raced to a 17–0 lead. Johns was again the catalyst starting the scoring with a brilliant banana kick that rebounded off the cross bar, went through the hands of Michael De Vere and fell to the ground before Ben Kennedy pounced. There was no greater example of the brilliant halfback's influence than the last minute before the break. Johns kicked for touch from a 20-metre restart, then after winning the ensuing scrum, hoisted a bomb high into the air which was contested before being batted back into his hands. Without a second thought and while on the run, he potted a 25-metre field goal with ease. The final score was 27–4 to the Blues who remained unbeaten from seven matches on their home turf of Telstra Stadium. Game III #eeeeee Wednesday, 16 July 2003 16px New South Wales 36–6 (Report) Queensland 16px Matt Sing (12 - 3t) Brent Tate (8 - 2t) Josh Hannay (8 - 4g) Cameron Smith (4 - 1t) Michael Crocker (4 - 1t) (4 - 1t) Timana Tahu (2 - 1g) Andrew Johns Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane 52,130 Bill Harrigan2003 Game III at nrlstats.com Matt Sing Game III, a "dead rubber", restored some much needed pride for the Maroons who dominated the Blues in every facet of the game. Winger Matt Sing was superb, scoring three tries in a man-of-the match performance. Queensland led 16-0 after 17 minutes before strangling the Blues out of the contest. Johns was forced to accept the shield in front of an almost empty stadium after Queensland had completed a lap of honour. It was an anticlimactic end to Blues winnning streak. Queensland's dead rubber win equalled their biggest State of Origin victory, which was first equalled in 1989, and then again in 2008, before it was broken in the third game of the 2015 series. Teams A total of twelve players from the 2003 Brisbane Broncos season were selected to play in the series, making them the most heavily represented club. A total of nine players from the 2003 Sydney Roosters season were selected to play in the series, making them the second most heavily represented club. New South Wales PositionGame 1Game 2Game 3 Fullback Sydney Roosters 16 Anthony Minichiello Wing Newcastle 16 Timana Tahu Centre Newcastle 16 Matt Gidley Centre Parramatta 16 Jamie Lyon Wing Brisbane 16 Michael De Vere Five-Eighth St George Illawarra 16 Shaun Timmins Halfback Newcastle 16 Andrew Johns (c) Prop Melbourne 16 Robbie Kearns Hooker Newcastle 16 Danny Buderus Prop St George Illawarra 16 Jason Ryles Second Row Sydney Roosters 16 Craig Fitzgibbon South Sydney 16 Bryan Fletcher Second Row Newcastle 16 Ben Kennedy Sydney Roosters 16 Luke Ricketson Lock Sydney Roosters 16 Luke Ricketson Canterbury 16 Braith Anasta Interchange St George Illawarra 16 Luke Bailey Interchange Cronulla 16 Phil Bailey Interchange Sydney Roosters 16 Craig Wing Interchange Newcastle 16 Josh Perry South Sydney 16 Bryan Fletcher Canterbury 16 Willie Mason Coach New South Wales 16 Phil Gould Queensland PositionGame 1Game 2Game 3 Fullback Brisbane 16 Darren Lockyer Wing Sydney Roosters 16 Shannon Hegarty Centre Brisbane 16 Brent Tate Centre Sydney Roosters 16 Justin Hodges Brisbane 16 Tonie Carroll North Queensland 16 Josh Hannay Wing North Queensland 16 Matt Sing Five-Eighth Brisbane 16 Ben Ikin Halfback Brisbane 16 Shaun Berrigan Prop Brisbane 16 Shane Webcke Hooker New Zealand Warriors old 16 PJ Marsh Sydney Roosters 16 Michael Crocker Melbourne 16 Cameron Smith Prop Brisbane 16 Petero Civoniceva Canterbury 16 Steve Price Brisbane 16 Petero Civoniceva Second Row Brisbane 16 Gorden Tallis (c) Second Row Brisbane 16 Dane Carlaw Brisbane 16 Petero Civoniceva Brisbane 16 Dane Carlaw Lock Brisbane 16 Tonie Carroll Canterbury 16 Travis Norton Brisbane 16 Tonie Carroll Interchange Canterbury 16 Steve Price Brisbane 16 Dane Carlaw Canterbury 16 Steve Price Interchange Sydney Roosters 16 Chris Flannery Brisbane 16 Andrew Gee Canterbury 16 Travis Norton Interchange North Queensland 16 Paul Bowman Penrith 16 Scott Sattler Sydney Roosters 16 Michael Crocker Interchange Brisbane 16 Andrew Gee North Queensland 16 Matt Bowen Coach Brisbane 16 Wayne Bennett See also 2003 NRL season References Footnotes Big League's 25 Years of Origin Collectors' Edition, News Magazines, Surry Hills, Sydney External links 2003 State of Origin https://web.archive.org/web/20110930221719/http://www.sportsphotography.net/rugbyleague/2003/origin/index.html 30 September 2011 at sportsphotography.net State of Origin 2003 at rugbyleagueproject.org Category:State of Origin series State of Origin series