1987 State of Origin series

Australian rugby league series August 2019 1987 4th series 100px Logo of the Australian Rugby League 16px Queensland 2-1 72 109091 16px Michael O'Connor 16px Dale Shearer (14 points each) 16px Dale Shearer (3 tries) The 1987 State of Origin series saw the sixth time the annual three-match series between the New South Wales and Queensland representative rugby league football teams was contested entirely under 'State of Origin' selection rules. It saw the emergence of new faces who would go on to become Origin legends (Queensland's Allan Langer and New South Wales' Andrew Ettingshausen), record crowds for all three matches, and an additional exhibition game played in Long Beach, California (near Los Angeles). The 1987 series was also the last in which players for Queensland were selected from teams of the Brisbane Rugby League premiership. Whilst BRL players technically remained eligible for selection, the introduction of the Brisbane Broncos and Gold Coast-Tweed Giants to the New South Wales Rugby League premiership in 1988 meant that, after this series, all players in State of Origin would henceforth be sourced from NSWRL teams. The final eight BRL players selected for Queensland were captain Wally Lewis, Gene Miles, Colin Scott, Greg Dowling and Bryan Niebling (all Wynnum Manly Seagulls), Greg Conescu (Redcliffe Dolphins) and Allan Langer (Ipswich Jets), all of whom joined the Brisbane Broncos for their inaugural season, and Gary Smith (Brothers) who moved to the North Sydney Bears. Games Game I Mark Murray had missed just one Origin clash in the first five series but when he suffered a serious eye injury that forced his premature retirement in the off-season of 1986, it was widely expected that in-form Eastern Suburbs half-back Laurie Spina would be called into the side after good form for the Roosters and impressing in a Qld selection trial at Lang Park. Instead, and against the wishes of coach Wayne Bennett, the Maroons selectors opted for the jockey-sized Ipswich Jets half-back Allan Langer then just 68 kg and a month shy of his 21st birthday. Spina would never again get the chance to represent Queensland. #eeeeee Tuesday, June 2, 1987 (Report) New South Wales 16px 16px Queensland 20–16 (12 - 2 t, 2 g) Michael O'Connor (4 - 1 t) Mark McGaw (4 - 1 t) Les Davidson Dale Shearer(4 - 1 t) Tony Currie(4 - 1 t) Greg Dowling (4 - 1 t) Gary Belcher (2 - 1 g) Peter Jackson (2 - 1 g) Lang Park 33,441 Mick Stone Les Davidson In his first match at Origin level, Langer proved he was a worthy partner for Wally Lewis in the halves and silenced his doubters with a performance that went close to earning him the man-of-the-match award which was won by Blues' second rower Les Davidson. With only minutes left in the game the scores were locked at 16-all and heading for the first drawn result when referee Mick Stone made one of the most controversial refereeing decisions in Origin history, awarding the winning try to Mark McGaw. New South Wales' half-back Peter Sterling missed with a field-goal attempt before launching a final backline raid down the right hand side of the field. Cronulla Sharks centre Andrew Ettingshausen, on debut and playing on the wing, sent his club team-mate Mark McGaw away on a long burst down the sideline. Cornered by the converging defence, McGaw threw an inside pass that was knocked down by Queensland but was kicked ahead into the Maroons' in-goal. In a flurry of action that saw arms, legs and bodies flailing in desperation, a hand reached out and grounded the ball just before it skidded dead. Referee Stone was forced to make a split second pivotal decision without the help of the video referee backup of today's game. Stone ruled that McGaw had touched down centimetres inside the dead-ball line for a try, despite the protests of the Qld players and the 33,000 strong Lang Park crowd yelling for him to call in their favour and prevent the Maroons from losing their 7th game from the past 8 contests. While video replays ultimately proved inconclusive, leaving the decision a controversial one still debated among many today, Stone was adamant that the try had been scored and later confirmed that had there not been a try scored, he would have awarded a penalty try to NSW in any case as Qld centre Peter Jackson had attempted to hold back McGaw by grabbing his jumper. Game II #eeeeee Tuesday, June 16, 1987 (Report) Queensland 16px 16px New South Wales 12–6 (4 - 1 t) Dale Shearer (4 - 1 t) Greg Dowling (4 - 1 t) Colin Scott Andrew Farrar(4 - 1 t) Michael O'Connor (2 - 1 g) Sydney Cricket Ground 42,048 Barry Gomersall Peter Sterling Game II at the Sydney Cricket Ground in front of a record Origin crowd of 42,048 was played in torrential rain. The powerful kicking of Lewis and fullback Gary Belcher was superior to the Blues' who were forced to play much of the match in their own half. Queensland capitalised on New South Wales' errors to emerge with a 12-6 victory. On his 27th birthday, Peter Sterling earned the man-of-the-match award, a rare honour for a player on the losing side. Before the game, and despite Queensland having won Origin from 1980–84, as New South Wales had won the 1985 and 1986 series and 7 of the previous 8 games going into game 2 (dating back to Game 3 in 1984), and with the addition of the Brisbane Broncos and Gold Coast Seagulls into the Sydney premiership in 1988, some in the Sydney press were wondering about the future of Origin with the general feeling being that the Blues were set to embark on another period of domination like the one that had brought about the Origin concept in the first place. Queensland's gutsy win under pressure and in adverse conditions silenced the critics. Game III #eeeeee Wednesday, July 15, 1987 (Report) Queensland 16px 16px New South Wales 10–8 (6 - 1 t, 1 g) Dale Shearer (4 - 1 t) Bob Lindner David Boyle (4 - 1 t) Michael O'Connor (4 - 2 g) Lang Park 33,602 Barry Gomersall Allan Langer The series decider at Lang Park was a classic Origin knife's-edge encounter that swung from one end of the field to the other. Queensland scored two brilliantly conceived tries to lead 10-8 at halftime and defied the Blues in a scoreless second half of incredible tension. After referee Barry Gomersall ruled New South Wales centre Michael O'Connor offside from a Cliff Lyons kick (though television replays showed it was line-ball), Queensland winger Dale Shearer kicked a penalty goal in the 39th minute, giving the Maroons a two-point win and the Series.Barrow Tim State of Origin: The deciders http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/state-of-origin-the-deciders-20110705-1h0sq.html 7 July 2011 The Sydney Morning Herald 6 July 2011 Langer was a triumphant figure for Queensland and in his third Origin game was named 'man of the match' after playing the game of his life. California Game IV Later in the season a match was played at Long Beach, California. The game did not count toward the series, but the match retained State of Origin status and is included in the records and player appearance calculations. The game was billed as an historic occasion for the game of Rugby League and an opportunity for rugby league to grab a foothold in the United States. It was a bold endeavour, but ultimately the match failed to create a lasting impression on America's sporting consciousness. There was minimal press coverage of the game and disputes over the size of the crowd, Heads Ian Mayer tries to avert another ARL farce in America The Sydney Morning Herald 51 1988-06-15 http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=smh&docID=news880615_0326_2855 2009-10-07 with many tickets reportedly given away. #eeeeee Thursday, August 6, 1987 (Report) New South Wales 16px 16px Queensland 30–18 (4 - 1 t) Andrew Ettingshausen (4 - 1 t) Mark McGaw (4 - 1 t) Jonathan Docking (14 - 1t, 5 g)Michael O'Connor (4 - 1 t) Cliff Lyons Tony Currie (4 - 1 t) Gene Miles (4 - 1 t) Dale Shearer (10 - 1 t, 3g) Veterans Memorial Stadium, Long Beach, California, United States 12,349 Mick Stone Peter Sterling Teams New South Wales PositionGame 1Game 2Game 3 Exhibition* Fullback Balmain 16 Garry Jack Cronulla 16 Jonathan Docking Wing Manly 16 Michael O'Connor St George 16 Brian Johnston Centre Cronulla 16 Mark McGaw Parramatta 16 Brett Kenny Cronulla 16 Mark McGaw Centre St George 16 Brian Johnston Manly 16 Michael O'Connor Wing Cronulla 16 Andrew Ettingshausen Canterbury 16 Andrew Farrar Cronulla 16 Andrew Ettingshausen Five-Eighth Parramatta 16 Brett Kenny Manly 16 Cliff Lyons Halfback Parramatta 16 Peter Sterling Parramatta 16 Peter Sterling (c) Prop South Sydney 16 Les Davidson South Sydney 16 David Boyle Canterbury 16 Peter Tunks Hooker Old Penrith 16 Royce Simmons Prop Canterbury 16 Pat Jarvis Manly 16 Phil Daley Second Row Canterbury 16 Steve Folkes South Sydney 16 David Boyle Manly 16 Noel Cleal Second Row Manly 16 Noel Cleal South Sydney 16 Les Davidson Lock Balmain 16 Wayne Pearce (c) Canterbury 16 Paul Langmack Replacement Manly 16 Des Hasler Cronulla 16 Mark McGaw Manly 16 Des Hasler Replacement South Sydney 16 David Boyle Canterbury 16 Paul Langmack Canterbury 16 Steve Folkes South Sydney 16 David Boyle Coach New South Wales 16 Ron Willey Queensland PositionGame 1Game 2Game 3 Exhibition* Fullback Canberra 16 Gary Belcher Wing Bulldogs 16 Tony Currie Wynnum-Manly 16 Colin Scott Bulldogs 16 Tony Currie Centre Canberra 16 Peter Jackson Centre Wynnum-Manly 16 Gene Miles Wing Manly 16 Dale Shearer Five-Eighth Wynnum-Manly 16 Wally Lewis (c) Halfback Ipswich Jets 16 Allan Langer Prop Wynnum-Manly 16 Greg Dowling Hooker Redcliffe 16 Greg Conescu Prop North Sydney 16 Martin Bella Redcliffe Dolphins 16 Bryan Niebling Second Row Easts 16 Trevor Gillmeister Second Row Manly 16 Paul Vautin Lock North Sydney 16 Ian French Parramatta 16 Bob Lindner Replacement Wynnum-Manly 16 Colin Scott Canterbury 16 Tony Currie Wynnum-Manly 16 Colin Scott Replacement Past Brothers 16 Gary Smith North Sydney 16 Ian French Coach Canberra 16 Wayne Bennett References Sources Big League's 25 Years of Origin Collectors' Edition, News Magazines, Surry Hills, Sydney External links State of Origin 1987 at rugbyleagueproject.org Category:State of Origin series State of Origin series Category:Sports in Long Beach, California Category:Rugby league in California Category:Rugby league in the United States State Category:Australian diaspora in the United States