2001 State of Origin series

Information on the 2001 State of Origin series.

Games

Game One

May 22, 2001

Queensland	34–16	File:NewSouthWalescolours.png New South Wales
Darren Lockyer (14) Darren Smith (4) John Buttigieg (4) John Doyle (4) Carl Webb (4) Chis Walker (4)	(Report)	(4) Michael De Vere (4) Matthew Gidley (4) Brad Fittler (4) Trent Barrett

ANZ Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: 38,909 Referee: Bill Harrigan Player of the Match: Gorden Tallis

Queensland stalwart coach Wayne Bennett made it a personal mission to regain the great loss of credibility suffered from the 2000 series whitewash and 40 point last game defeat and decided he wanted his old Maroon coaching job back after a two year sojourn.

Queensland blooded no less than ten new players and Bennett gambled on the likes of Brisbane Broncos forward Carl Webb and North Queensland Cowboys John Buttigieg and John Doyle who were relative unknowns. But they each announced their representative arrival in a dramatic style with a try each in the first game, won 34-16 by the Maroons in the last match played at the "old" Suncorp Stadium. The most spectacular was Webb's two minutes before half-time when he brushed off three defenders before powering his way across the line.

Game Two

June 10, 2001

File:NewSouthWalescolours.png New South Wales	26–8	Queensland
Brad Fittler (8) Ryan Girdler (6) Jamie Ainscough (4) Trent Barrett (4) Luke Ricketson (4)	(Report)	(4) Darren Lockyer (4) Chris Walker|

Telstra Stadium, Sydney Attendance: 70,249 Referee: Bill Harrigan Player of the Match: Trent Barrett

In game II played before 70,000 at Telstra Stadium, Blues skipper Brad Fittler scored two tries in what was to be his last match for NSW on home soil and inspiring his side to a 26-8 victory. Man of the match was Trent Barrett playing halfback for the first time due to injuries to Brett Kimmorley and Andrew Johns. Debutante Mark O'Meley was particularly impressive, setting up Fittler's first try after 53 minutes with a smashing run that sent defenders skittling.

Game Three

July 1, 2001

Queensland	40–14	File:NewSouthWalescolours.png New South Wales
Darren Lockyer (16) Chris Walker (8) Paul Bowman (8) Allan Langer (4) Dane Carlaw (4)	(Report)	(14) Ryan Girdler

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: 49,441 Referee: Bill Harrigan Player of the Match: Darren Lockyer

The lead up to game III was dominated by emotion regarding Brad Fittler's pending retirement from representative football after 29 Origin appearances. But with the series tied at one game apiece Queensland needed some special emotion of their own to avoid a loss. Maroon's veteran Allan Langer in his second English season with Warrington provided all the emotion Queensland needed , named in his famous No. 7 jersey for the first time since leaving the NRL midway through the 1999 season. Coach Bennett undertook furtive negotations with Langer and Warrington and the rumours were only confirmed after Langer had boarded a plane for the flight home, bound for his 31st career Origin appearance.

Despite NSW centre Ryan Girdler scoring the fastest try in Origin history after 39 seconds, Queensland took a 28-8 lead into the break with Langer heavily involved in three of the Maroons' first half tries. Alongside Darren Lockyer who created his own form of havoc, Langer tore New South Wales to shreds and capped his comeback in the 54th minute when he scored a trademartk solo try from close range to condemn the Blues to a series deciding loss and Fittler to his own bittersweet farewell.

Sources

• Big League's 25 Years of Origin Collectors' Edition , News Magazines, Surry Hills, Sydney