2008 State of Origin series: Difference between revisions

| winners = [[ImageFile:Queensland colours.svg|16px]] [[Queensland state rugby league team|Queensland]]<ref>[http://www.rleague.com/db/year/2008/state_of_origin/index.php 2008 State of Origin] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080830083926/http://www.rleague.com//db/year/2008/state_of_origin/index.php |date=30 August 2008 }} at ''rleague.com''</ref>

| top points scorer = [[ImageFile:Queensland colours.svg|16px]] [[Johnathan Thurston]] (20)

| top try scorer = [[ImageFile:Queensland colours.svg|16px]] [[Israel Folau]] (4)

The '''2008 State of Origin series''' was the 27th year that the [[State of Origin series|annual best-of-three series]] of interstate [[rugby league football]] football matches between the [[Queensland rugby league team|Queensland]] and [[New South Wales rugby league team|New South Wales]] representative teams was contested entirely under '[[state of origin]]' selection rules. At its commencement each side had won twelve Origin series with two series drawn.

Queensland's [[Mal Meninga]] was to coach against a former [[Canberra Raiders]] teammate in the [[Melbourne Storm]]'s premiership-winning coach, [[Craig Bellamy (rugby league)|Craig Bellamy]] who was to make his debut in charge of New South Wales against a number of his in-form Melbourne players.<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/10/09/2054664.htm Bellamy Blues announcement]</ref> New South Wales took a 1-0 series lead with a convincing victory in Game I on 21 May 2008. After some key personnel changes, Queensland then achieved a record 30-point margin to win Game II on 11 June 2008 to level, and on 2 July won Game III 16 - 10 to take the series 2-1 and edge one ahead in the cumulative series tally.

The series marked [[Mal Meninga]]'s third as Queensland coach and also his third consecutive series victory. [[Johnathan Thurston]] was judged the player of the series. The 2008 series also set new nation-widenationwide television audience records for State of Origin.

The New South Wales side came to Origin I well prepared by [[Craig Bellamy (rugby league)|Craig Bellamy]], brought in to coach against Meninga, who was captaining Canberra in the [[1990 NSWRL season]]'s [[Grand final]] victory when Bellamy played for them from the interchange bench for them. Six of Meninga's Maroons were members of Bellamy's club, the [[Melbourne Storm]]. Queensland were missing their injured captain and playmaker [[Darren Lockyer]] but were spoilt for choice for [[Fullback (rugby league)|fullback]]s with Melbourne's [[Billy Slater]] and the Broncos' [[Karmichael Hunt]] in tremendous season form. Maroons selectors opted to experiment with Hunt at five-eighth.

team2 = {{leagueicon|Queensland|16}} [[Queensland State of Origin Team|Queensland]] |

score = 18 - 10 |

report = |

date = Wednesday, 21 May 2008 |

stadium = [[ANZ Stadium]], [[Sydney]] |

referee= Tony Archer<ref>[http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game82.html State Of Origin - Game 1, 2008] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080626183204/http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game82.html |date=26 June 2008 }} at ''stats.rleague.com''</ref> |

manofmatch= [[Greg Bird (rugby league)|Greg Bird]] }}

The Blues forwards ran at the Queensland playmakers and [[Cameron Smith (rugby league, born 1983)|Cameron Smith]] and Hunt were forced to do a mountain of defence. Steady and deep kicks from Blues debutant [[Peter Wallace (rugby league)|Peter Wallace]] (a late call up to the side during the week following the withdrawal of [[Kurt Gidley]]) kept Slater returning from deep in his territory often without easy linkage to his wing supports.

Queensland took a long time to get out of first gear - Thurston's first kick of the night was low and travelled only 35 metres. The Blues however worked the ball through the hands with confidence and began to move it wide early. New South Wales played down their left hand side for the first two tries, both scored by debutantedebutant winger [[Anthony Quinn (rugby league)|Anthony Quinn]]. One came through the hands with five-eighth [[Greg Bird (rugby league)|Greg Bird]], creating space via a cut out pass to [[Ryan Hoffman]]. The other resulted from a well executed kick from Peter Wallace.

Queensland scored late in a first half almost devoid of penalties and errors and they made a better showing after half-time with a few breaks and by picking up on some New South Wales errors. However, their efforts came to nothing in the face of an all round defensive effort from the Blues, including a number of try-saving and punishing tackles by try-scorer Quinn supported by his three-quarter teammate [[Matt Cooper (rugby league)|Matt Cooper]].

Thurston lifted in the second-half and threatened with a number of well-paced grubber kicks in- behind but he was marked closely by the man-of-the-match [[Greg Bird (rugby league)|Greg Bird]] and the vigilant defence of [[Ryan Hoffman]] who also kept Folau and Inglis well contained. Slater showed touches of brilliance but at times was outshone by [[Mark Gasnier]] who was dangerous all night and had a hand in two Blues tries. Hunt defended heroically throughout but every big tackle he made sapped something from his attacking spark. Eventually the Maroons ran out of steam and another Blues debutant in [[Anthony Laffranchi]] crossed in the 68th minute, taking the score to 18-4. Again at the death of the second half Queensland picked up another late try out wide through debutant Folau.

date = Wednesday, 11 June 2008|

referee= Tony Archer<ref>[http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game83.html State Of Origin - Game 2, 2008] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080626183209/http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game83.html |date=26 June 2008 }} at ''stats.rleague.com''</ref>|

[[Greg Inglis]] answered his critics from game I and spoke after the match of "getting one back on Gaz" (referring to having been outshone in game I by [[Mark Gasnier]]) with a blistering performance setting up both tries for Boyd from long range beating Gasnier and embarrassing the defence of Blues debutante [[Steve Turner (rugby league)|Steve Turner]] in the process.{{cncitation needed|date=April 2012}} The Queensland forwards were consistently up fast in defence and flustered New South Wales. Blues halves [[Greg Bird (rugby league)|Greg Bird]] and [[Peter Wallace (rugby league)|Peter Wallace]] seemed at times bereft of attacking ideas and whilst Wallace had a reasonable kicking game, the control demonstrated by the pair in game I was not to be seen.

As predicted by the pre-match press,{{cncitation needed|date=April 2012}} the Blues attack was aimed at [[Scott Prince]] wherever possible but he was ably assisted by [[Brent Tate]], defending alongside him. Tate made thirty-three tackles in the game and regularly featured in attacking returns from loose play. Queensland were strong across the park with [[Johnathan Thurston]] shining, [[Israel Folau]] showing his class and veterans [[Steve Price (rugby league)|Steve Price]] and [[Petero Civoniceva]] giving tireless service.

For New South Wales, the only flawless performances were by captain [[Danny Buderus]] and [[Fullback (rugby league)|fullback]] [[Brett Stewart (rugby league)|Brett Stewart]],{{cncitation needed|date=April 2012}} who pulled off a number of solo try-saving tackles. Otherwise the tables were completely turned from game I and Blues had no answers for a Maroons outfit this time perfectly prepared by coach Meninga. [[Queensland State of Origin Team|Queensland]] had levelled the series with a 30–0 win, only the second time in history that New South Wales were held scoreless.

The national TV audience peaked at 2.49 million viewers, which was a new record.<ref>[http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23851936-7582,00.html State of Origin II beats own TV ratings record] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011132506/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23851936-7582,00.html June|date=11 12,October 2008 }} 12 June 2008</ref>

Queensland made no changes to their lineup for the decider while New South Wales made seven: [[Jarryd Hayne|Hayne]] returned from suspension and replaced [[Steve Turner (rugby league)|Turner]] on the Wing; [[Ben Cross (rugby league)|Cross]], back from injury replaced [[Steve Simpson (rugby league)|Simpson]]; [[Braith Anasta|Anasta]] and [[Mitchell Pearce|Pearce]] formed a new halves pairing replacing the injured [[Greg Bird (rugby league)|Bird]] and [[Peter Wallace (rugby league)|Wallace]]; [[Joel Monaghan|Monaghan]] replaced [[Mark Gasnier|Gasnier]] out with a back injury; [[Craig Fitzgibbon|Fitzgibbon]] moved to the Second-row and [[Willie Mason|Mason]] to Prop.

score = 10 - 16|

date = Wednesday, 2 July 2008 |

| accessdateaccess-date = 20 February 2011}}</ref>|

referee= Tony Archer<ref>[http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game84.html State Of Origin - Game 3, 2008] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011152756/http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game84.html |date=11 October 2008 }} at ''stats.rleague.com''</ref>|

| accessdateaccess-date = 20 February 2011}}</ref> |

In starting, [[Danny Buderus]] beat two Blues standing records - [[Paul Harragon|Harragon]]'s for consecutive matches and [[Brad Fittler|Fittler]]'s for most games as captain. Much of the media build-up focused on the match being his state representative farewell, as well as [[Mitchell Pearce]]'s debut and [[Braith Anasta]]'s State of Origin comeback. Blues' utility Kurt Gidley had been shuffled at the last minute into the starting line-up over [[Brett Stewart (rugby league)|Brett Stewart]], resulting in formal pre-match protest from Queensland. The decision to bench Stewart was perplexing, who was arguably the Blues' best in game 1 and 2.

| accessdateaccess-date = 20 February 2011}}</ref> In the fifth minute the Maroons were advancing on the Blues' line when Queensland halfback [[Scott Prince]] put a high kick up to the right corner which Bues winger [[Anthony Quinn (rugby league)|Anthony Quinn]] failed to catch, allowing [[Israel Folau]] to grab the ball and simply fall over the try-line.<ref>{{Cite news

| url = httphttps://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/02/sports/02iht-rugleague2.14169481.html?_r=1

| accessdateaccess-date = 20 February 2011}}</ref> [[Johnathan Thurston]] missed the [[Try#Conversion (rugby)|conversion]], leaving the score at 2 - 4 in favour of the Maroons. Ten minutes later Queensland were a man down after Prince's forearm was broken in a tackle and the New South Welshmen capitalised,<ref>{{Cite news

| accessdateaccess-date = 20 February 2011}}</ref> working the ball up close to the Maroons' line and out to left centre [[Matt Cooper (rugby league)|Matt Cooper]] to stretch out through the defence and plant the ball. Fitzgibbon added the extras to give his team an 8 - 4 lead.<ref>{{Cite news

| url = httphttps://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=a11uMhxYnye8

| accessdateaccess-date = 20 February 2011}}</ref> In the twenty-second minute, the Queenslanders were again attacking close to the Blues' try-line when from in front of the posts Thurston put a kick up high and across to Folau's wing. Folau, coming through at speed, leapt above his opposite number to grab the ball and as he fell awkwardly back down, managed to ground it one-handed behind his head in what was a remarkable effort.<ref>{{Cite news

| accessdateaccess-date = 20 February 2011}}</ref> The conversion was missed by Thurston so the scores were level at 8 - 8. A few minutes later, New South Wales [[Hooker (rugby league)|hooker]] [[Danny Buderus]] ran from [[Rugby league positions#dummy- half|dummy half]], catching the Maroons' defence off-side and gaining his team a penalty, which Fitzgibbon successfully kicked, giving the Blues a 10 - 8 lead.<ref>{{Cite news

| accessdateaccess-date = 20 February 2011}}</ref> No more points were scored before half time.

| accessdateaccess-date = 20 February 2011}}</ref> The maroons' following set of six ended with another penalty to them in attacking position, with Thurston kicking the two points to level at 10 - 10. Queensland forward [[Nate Myles]] was lucky not to be sent off (but was later suspended for 6 weeks) for a tackle in the forty-eighth minute which upended Ben Cross<ref>{{Cite news

| last = [[AustralianAAP Associated Press|AAP]]

| accessdateaccess-date = 20 February 2011}}</ref> and resulted in another minor scuffle and a penalty to the Blues, but the Maroons withstood NSW's attack. A few minutes later the game was halted when Queensland forward [[Michael Crocker]] was knocked out as [[MichellMitchell Pearce]]'s attempted clearing kick sent the ball into the back of his head.<ref>{{Cite news

| accessdateaccess-date = 20 February 2011}}</ref> Just at the sixty-seven minute mark 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 running through in support to score the match-winning try under the posts.<ref>{{cite news|last=Barrow|first=Tim|title=State of Origin: The deciders|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/state-of-origin-the-deciders-20110705-1h0sq.html|accessdateaccess-date=7 July 2011|newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=6 July 2011}}</ref> The conversion was simple and Queensland regained the lead at 10 - 16. In the final minutes the Blues attacked the Maroons' line repeatedly but could not break through and Queensland had won their third series in a row,<ref>{{Cite news

| accessdateaccess-date = 20 February 2011}}</ref> replicating "three-peats" achieved in [[1982 Rugby League State of Origin series|1982]], [[1983 Rugby League State of Origin series|1983]], [[1984 Rugby League State of Origin series|1984]] and [[1987 Rugby League State of Origin series|1987]], [[1988 Rugby League State of Origin series|1988]], [[1989 Rugby League State of Origin series|1989]].

The national TV audience peaked at more than 2.5 million, breaking the record set in the last game.<ref>[{{Cite web |url=http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=591188 |title=Origin decider a TV record breaker] |access-date=7 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080707010901/http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=591188 |archive-date=7 July 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

! [[Fullback (rugby league)|Fullback]]

| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Cronulla Sharks|16}} [[Greg Bird (rugby league)|Greg Bird]]

| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Brisbane Broncos|16}} [[Peter Wallace (rugby league)|Peter Wallace]]

! [[Hooker (rugby league)|Hooker]]

! [[Fullback (rugby league)|Fullback]]

! [[Hooker (rugby league)|Hooker]]

| colspan="3" | {{leagueicon|Melbourne Storm|16}} [[Cameron Smith (rugby league, born 1983)|Cameron Smith]] (c)

| colspan="3" | [[ImageFile:Queensland colours.svg|16x16px]] [[Mal Meninga]]

{{reflistReflist|40em}}