State of Origin is the annual best-of-three series of rugby league football matches between the Blues and the Maroons, who represent the Australian states of New South Wales and Queensland, respectively. Touted as Australian sport's greatest rivalry, the State of Origin series is one of the country's and the region's premier sporting events, attracting a huge television audience and usually selling out the stadiums in which the games are played.[7] Despite the existence of international tournaments and State of Origin being a domestic competition, it is frequently cited as being the highest-level of rugby league played anywhere in the world.
Players are selected to represent the Australian state in which they played their first senior rugby league, hence the name 'state of origin'. Prior to 1980 players were only selected for interstate matches on the basis of where they were playing their club football at the time. In both 1980 and 1981 there were two interstate matches under the old selection rules and one experimental "State of Origin" match. From 1982 onwards a best-of-three match series has been played around the middle of the rugby league season for the State of Origin shield. Since its inception, total victories for each side were once extraordinarily even; although since 2006, Queensland have won every series.
THE TEAMS
The two states' teams are frequently referred to as the Blues and Maroons, reflecting the respective colours of their jerseys. The Blues team is administered by the New South Wales Rugby League and the Maroons by the Queensland Rugby League. Players of the New South Wales team are sometimes referred to as the cockroaches and the Queensland team as the cane toads, due to a marketing campaign used in the 1980s where the respective teams were depicted by caricatures in such a manner.
Whilst other Australian states have also had representative rugby league sides, they have not competed in State of Origin.
SELECTION FOR STATE OF ORIGIN
Under State of Origin rules players were previously selected for the state in which they first played senior (or registered) rugby league. In 2012, the NSWRL, CRL, QRL and ARLC agreed on new criteria in determining Origin eligibility, to encompass other factors, such as place of birth. Players must also be eligible to represent Australia at international level.
YEAR BY YEAR
| Year | Winner | Wins | Losses | Drawn | Shield Holder |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Queensland | 1 | 0 | 0 | Queensland |
| 1981 | Queensland | 1 | 0 | 0 | Queensland |
| 1982 | Queensland | 2 | 1 | 0 | Queensland |
| 1983 | Queensland | 2 | 1 | 0 | Queensland |
| 1984 | Queensland | 2 | 1 | 0 | Queensland |
| 1985 | New South Wales | 2 | 1 | 0 | New South Wales |
| 1986 | New South Wales | 3 | 0 | 0 | New South Wales |
| 1987 | Queensland | 2 | 2[25] | 0 | Queensland |
| 1988 | Queensland | 3 | 0 | 0 | Queensland |
| 1989 | Queensland | 3 | 0 | 0 | Queensland |
| 1990 | New South Wales | 2 | 1 | 0 | New South Wales |
| 1991 | Queensland | 2 | 1 | 0 | Queensland |
| 1992 | New South Wales | 2 | 1 | 0 | New South Wales |
| 1993 | New South Wales | 2 | 1 | 0 | New South Wales |
| 1994 | New South Wales | 2 | 1 | 0 | New South Wales |
| 1995 | Queensland | 3 | 0 | 0 | Queensland |
| 1996 | New South Wales | 3 | 0 | 0 | New South Wales |
| 1997 | New South Wales | 2 | 1 | 0 | New South Wales |
| 1998 | Queensland | 2 | 1 | 0 | Queensland |
| 1999 | Drawn - Queensland | 1 | 1 | 1 | Queensland |
| 2000 | New South Wales | 3 | 0 | 0 | New South Wales |
| 2001 | Queensland | 2 | 1 | 0 | Queensland |
| 2002 | Drawn - Queensland | 1 | 1 | 1 | Queensland |
| 2003 | New South Wales | 2 | 1 | 0 | New South Wales |
| 2004 | New South Wales | 2 | 1 | 0 | New South Wales |
| 2005 | New South Wales | 2 | 1 | 0 | New South Wales |
| 2006 | Queensland | 2 | 1 | 0 | Queensland |
| 2007 | Queensland | 2 | 1 | 0 | Queensland |
| 2008 | Queensland | 2 | 1 | 0 | Queensland |
| 2009 | Queensland | 2 | 1 | 0 | Queensland |
| 2010 | Queensland | 3 | 0 | 0 | Queensland |
| 2011 | Queensland | 2 | 1 | 0 | Queensland |
| 2012 | Queensland | 2 | 1 | 0 | Queensland |
| 2013 | In Progress | 1 | 0 | 0 | In Progress |
Playing
Queensland
- Most Games – 36 Darren Lockyer (1998–2011)
- Most Games as Captain – 30 Wally
Lewis (1981–1991)
- Most Tries – 14 Greg
Inglis (2006–present)
- Most Points – 161 Mal
Meninga (1980–1994)
- Most Consecutive Games – 25 Johnathan Thurston (2005–present)
New South Wales
- Most Games – 31 Brad Fittler
(1990–2004)
- Most Games as Captain – 15 Danny
Buderus (2004–2008)
- Most Tries – 11 Michael O'Connor
(1985–1991)
- Most Points – 129 Michael O'Connor
(1985–1991)
- Most Consecutive Games – 21 Danny
Buderus (2002–2008)
Total State of Origin
- Most Games – 36 Darren
Lockyer (1998–2011) (Queensland)
- Most Games as Captain – 30 Wally
Lewis (1981–1991) (Queensland)
- Most Tries – 14 Greg
Inglis (2006–present) (Queensland)
- Most Points – 161 Mal
Meninga (1980–1994) (Queensland)
- Most Consecutive Games – 25 Johnathan Thurston (2005–present)
(Queensland)
Coaching
Queensland
- Most Games – 21 Mal
Meninga (2006–present)
- Most Wins – 15 Mal
Meninga (2006–present)
- Most Series Wins – 7 Mal
Meninga (2006–present)
New South Wales
- Most Games – 24 Phil
Gould (1992–1996, 2002–2004)
- Most Wins – 14 Phil
Gould (1992–1996, 2002–2004)
- Most Series Wins – 6 Phil
Gould (1992–1994, 1996, 2003–2004)
Total State of Origin
- Most Games – 24 Phil
Gould (1992–1996, 2002–2004) (New South Wales)
- Most Wins – 15 Mal
Meninga (2006–present) (Queensland)
- Most Series Wins – 7 Mal
Meninga (2006–present) (Queensland)
WE NEED YOU!
Do you own a maroons jersey?
Wear it to The Comm next Wednesday 26th June for SOO 2 and take advantage of the Great XXXX Giveaways, Drinks Specials, Fantastic Meals & a Great Bar Snacks Menu
WITH 12 SCREENS there is nowhere else to be!
Purchase any XXXX product between now and the 3rd State of Origin game.
Fill out an entry form and go into the draw to win a 50L Origin cooler (RRP $300).
We have 2 to be won: 1 in the Bar & 1 in the Drive Thru.
Drawn: 3rd State Origin Game 17th July 2013
CATCH YOU @ THE COMM! Roma's Number 1 Footy Pub!
