# 1993 State of Origin series

The 1993 State of Origin series was the 12th year that the annual best-of-three series of rugby league football matches between the Queensland and New South Wales representative teams was contested under 'state of origin' selection rules. Queensland's favourite son Wally Lewis returned as coach just two years after his retirement as a player.

## Game I

New South Wales were playing their second series under Phil Gould. Queensland were coached for the first time by their Origin "King" Wally Lewis.
* Monday, 3 May 1993
| New South Wales | 14–10 | Queensland |
| (10 - 1 t, 3 g) Rod Wishart (4 - 1 t) Ricky Stuart | (Report) | Bob Lindner (4 - 1 t) Willie Carne (4 - 1 t) Mal Meninga (2 - 1 g) |
* Lang Park, Brisbane Attendance: 33,000 Referee: Greg McCallum Player of the Match: Ricky Stuart
An extraordinary defensive effort by New South Wales gave them the spoils in Game I. The Blues led 12–2 at half-time and then held on grimly in a dour second half repelling waves of Queensland attackers. At one stage in the second half, Queensland held the ball for 21 consecutive tackles within 10 metres of the Blues line, but never broke through. New South Wales in that half made an incredible 161 tackles and clung on for a 14–10 victory in an effort typified by one of their big-hearted forwards, Ian Roberts, who had to leave the field moments from the end suffering from exhaustion.
The Blues were inspired by Ricky Stuart and his Canberra halves partner Laurie Daley who overshadowed Brisbane halves duo Kevin Walters and Allan Langer.

## Game II

* Monday, 17 May 1993
| New South Wales | 16–12 | Queensland |
| (4 - 1 t Laurie Daley (4 - 1 t) Brad Mackay (8 - 1 t, 2 g) Rod Wishart | (Report) | Mal Meninga (4 - 1 t) Kevin Walters (4 - 1 t) Adrian Brunker (2 - 1 g) Dale Shearer(2 - 1 g) |
* Sydney Football Stadium Attendance: 41,895 Referee: Eddie Ward Player of the Match: Tim Brasher
In game II the series could easily have been levelled but Queensland allowed a number of scoring opportunities to slip away. The Maroons led 6–0 at the break after captain Mal Meninga crashed over at the bell but missed at least three try-scoring chances in the first half. Willie Carne scored a fair try from a well planned and well executed cross-field kick by Allan Langer but referee Eddie Ward ruled Carne off-side. Television replays showed he wasn't. In the 30th minute Meninga passed to winger Adrian Brunker who was tackled short of the line after Meninga looked as if he might have scored himself. Four minutes later, Queensland fullback Dale Shearer inexplicably lost the ball in the in-goal area when he should have scored.
New South Wales came out inspired by the half-time words of Phil Gould and struck back promptly and with purpose. Laurie Daley scored early in the second half and lock Brad Mackay was over three minutes later after a Ricky Stuart clearing kick was touched in flight putting NSW on-side and allowing Brad Fittler to regain possession. From having been under pressure and looking as if a loss was imminent, the Blues had bounced back for a four-point lead at 10–6.
Rod Wishart scored again for the Blues before Kevin Walters brought the game back into the balance with a try five minutes from full-time. With time ticking away the Maroons refused to concede and another memorable Origin image was created when Meninga came charging out of his own quarter and raced 40 metres upfield before confronting Laurie Daley the sole New South Wales defender. It was a State of Origin moment frozen in time, captain on captain and the match result resting on the winner of the confrontation. It was the Canberra Raiders captain Meninga being chased by his team-mate and understudy Daley. It was the face of the future Australian Test captain chasing down the present. Meninga drew Daley in and passed to Mark Hohn in support, only to see the front-rower drop the ball as the hooter sounded and the Blues retained the trophy.

## Game III

* Monday, 31 May 1993
| Queensland | 24–12 | New South Wales |
| (8 - 2 t) Willie Carne (4 - 1 t) Steve Walters (4 - 1 t) Bob Lindner (4 - 2 g) Mal Meninga (4 - 2 g) Julian O'Neill | (Report) | Andrew Ettingshausen (4 - 1 t) Paul Harragon (4 - 1 t) Rod Wishart (4 - 1 t) |
* Lang Park, Brisbane Attendance: 31,500 Referee: Greg McCallum Player of the Match: Dale Shearer
Although Game III was a dead rubber both teams put on a sterling performance in front of a crowd of 31,500. A first-half brawl erupted when an early scrum broke up in the 23rd minute. Regular combatants and bitter rivals Steve Walters and Ben Elias clashed while Paul Harragon and Martin Bella stood trading blows. In the aftermath referee Greg McCallum sent all four to the sin bin.
While Maroons coach Lewis was able to take some consolation from the win, the night belonged to Queensland stalwart Bob Lindner who was playing his 25th and last Origin match and was farewelled by the Lang Park crowd.

## New South Wales teams

| Position | Game 1 | | Game 2 | | Game 3 | |
| Fullback | Tim Brasher | Tim Brasher | Tim Brasher | Tim Brasher | Tim Brasher | Tim Brasher |
| Wing | Andrew Ettingshausen | Andrew Ettingshausen | Andrew Ettingshausen | Andrew Ettingshausen | Graham Mackay | Graham Mackay |
| Centre | Paul McGregor | Paul McGregor | Paul McGregor | Paul McGregor | Andrew Ettingshausen | Andrew Ettingshausen |
| Centre | Brad Fittler | Brad Fittler | Brad Fittler | Brad Fittler | Brad Fittler | Brad Fittler |
| Wing | Rod Wishart | Rod Wishart | Rod Wishart | Rod Wishart | Rod Wishart | Rod Wishart |
| Five-Eighth | Laurie Daley (c) | Laurie Daley (c) | Laurie Daley (c) | Laurie Daley (c) | Laurie Daley (c) | Laurie Daley (c) |
| Halfback | Ricky Stuart | Ricky Stuart | Ricky Stuart | Ricky Stuart | Ricky Stuart | Ricky Stuart |
| Prop | Glenn Lazarus | Glenn Lazarus | Glenn Lazarus | Glenn Lazarus | Glenn Lazarus | Glenn Lazarus |
| Hooker | Ben Elias | Ben Elias | Robbie McCormack | Robbie McCormack | Ben Elias | Ben Elias |
| Prop | Ian Roberts | Ian Roberts | Ian Roberts | Ian Roberts | David Fairleigh | David Fairleigh |
| Second Row | Paul Sironen | Paul Sironen | Paul Sironen | Paul Sironen | Paul Sironen | Paul Sironen |
| Second Row | Paul Harragon | Paul Harragon | Paul Harragon | Paul Harragon | Paul Harragon | Paul Harragon |
| Lock | Brad Mackay | Brad Mackay | Brad Mackay | Brad Mackay | Brad Mackay | Brad Mackay |
| Interchange | David Fairleigh | David Fairleigh | David Fairleigh | David Fairleigh | Terry Hill | Terry Hill |
| Interchange | Craig Salvatori | Craig Salvatori | David Gillespie | David Gillespie | David Gillespie | David Gillespie |
| Interchange | Brett Mullins | Brett Mullins | Jason Croker | Jason Croker | Scott Gourley | Scott Gourley |
| Interchange | Jason Taylor | Jason Taylor | Jason Taylor | Jason Taylor | Jason Taylor | Jason Taylor |
| Coach | Phil Gould | Phil Gould | Phil Gould | Phil Gould | Phil Gould | Phil Gould |

## Queensland teams

| Position | Game 1 | | Game 2 | | Game 3 | |
| Fullback | Gary Belcher | Gary Belcher | Dale Shearer | Dale Shearer | Dale Shearer | Dale Shearer |
| Wing | Willie Carne | Willie Carne | Willie Carne | Willie Carne | Brett Dallas | Brett Dallas |
| Centre | Mal Meninga (c) | Mal Meninga (c) | Mal Meninga (c) | Mal Meninga (c) | Mal Meninga (c) | Mal Meninga (c) |
| Centre | Steve Renouf | Steve Renouf | Mark Coyne | Mark Coyne | Mark Coyne | Mark Coyne |
| Wing | Michael Hancock | Michael Hancock | Adrian Brunker | Adrian Brunker | Willie Carne | Willie Carne |
| Five-Eighth | Kevin Walters | Kevin Walters | Kevin Walters | Kevin Walters | Julian O'Neill | Julian O'Neill |
| Halfback | Allan Langer | Allan Langer | Allan Langer | Allan Langer | Allan Langer | Allan Langer |
| Prop | Martin Bella | Martin Bella | Martin Bella | Martin Bella | Martin Bella | Martin Bella |
| Hooker | Steve Walters | Steve Walters | Steve Walters | Steve Walters | Steve Walters | Steve Walters |
| Prop | Steve Jackson | Steve Jackson | Mark Hohn | Mark Hohn | Mark Hohn | Mark Hohn |
| Second Row | Bob Lindner | Bob Lindner | Trevor Gillmeister | Trevor Gillmeister | Trevor Gillmeister | Trevor Gillmeister |
| Second Row | Gary Larson | Gary Larson | Gary Larson | Gary Larson | Gary Larson | Gary Larson |
| Lock | Billy Moore | Billy Moore | Bob Lindner | Bob Lindner | Bob Lindner | Bob Lindner |
| Interchange | Mark Coyne | Mark Coyne | Julian O'Neill | Julian O'Neill | Kevin Walters | Kevin Walters |
| Interchange | Dale Shearer | Dale Shearer | Steve Jackson | Steve Jackson | Darren Smith | Darren Smith |
| Interchange | Mark Hohn | Mark Hohn | Billy Moore | Billy Moore | Steve Jackson | Steve Jackson |
| Interchange | Andrew Gee | Andrew Gee | Darren Smith | Darren Smith | Billy Moore | Billy Moore |
| Coach | Wally Lewis | Wally Lewis | Wally Lewis | Wally Lewis | Wally Lewis | Wally Lewis |