Undercover tickets are still available to Origin I
With 39,000 ‘ponchos’ on sale through merchandise stalls at ANZ Stadium tonight history provides a reminder that anything can happen when Origin takes to the water.
Over 30 years some of the most amazing moments in the history of the Harvey Norman State of Origin Series have coincided with torrential downpours.
From sideline conversions to prop forwards taking ‘miracle’ catches, last ditch field goals and fiery on-field confrontations, wet weather has proven an unlikely spark in Origin’s history.
It has also seen some of the most heroic efforts ever witnessed from Rugby League supporters with some amazing crowds braving the conditions in support of their state including 88,336 for Game Two in 1999.
The following is a brief overview of Origin ‘fireworks’ in the rain (with thanks to David Middleton for his assistance):
2003 | Game 2 | NSW 27-4 | Telstra Stadium | 79,132 | Andrew Johns leads NSW to its first winning series in three years |
2000 | Game 1 | NSW 20-16 | Stadium Australia | 61,511 | Gorden Tallis sin binned for dissent after a confrontation with Bill Harrigan |
1999 | Game 3 | 10-all | Suncorp Stadium | 39,371
| Origin’s first ever draw results in the first ever drawn series. Queensland retains the trophy for a second year as a result. |
1999 | Game 2 | NSW 12-8 | Stadium Australia | 88,336
| Robbie Ross scores the ‘fastest’ try in Origin history crossing after just 42 seconds (Ryan Girdler bettered with 39 second effort in game 3 2001). Laurie Daley leads the Blues to victory in his last Sydney game as captain. Match is still regarded as the wettest ever at Homebush. |
1992 | Game 2 | Queensland 5-4 | Lang Park | 31,500 | Allan Langer field goal 66 seconds from full time gives Queensland the series. In the first half Bill Harrigan sent Martin Bella and Peter Jackson to the sin bin within 10 minutes of each other leaving Queensland with 11 men at one stage in the match. |
1991 | Game 2 | NSW 14-12 | Sydney Football Stadium | 41,520
| Fiery confrontation between Wally Lewis and Mark Geyer – Michael O’Connor clinches the match for NSW with a sideline conversion. |
1987 | Game 2 | Queensland 12-6 | Sydney Cricket Ground | 42,048 | Blues led 6-4 at half time. Greg Dowling again scores a try in the mud in the second half as the Maroons produce one of the game’s most memorable defensive efforts holding NSW within its own half for much of the match. |
1985 | Game 1 | NSW 18-12 | Lang Park | 33,011 | Michael O’Connor on debut scores all the NSW points (two tries and five goals) |
1984 | Game 2 | Queensland 14-2 | Sydney Cricket Ground | 29,088 | Greg Dowling scores one of League’s most amazing tries in Origin taking a rebound from the cross bar to score under the posts in the second half. |
1983 | Game 2 | NSW 10-6 | Sydney Cricket Ground | 21,620 | Eight Eels make the NSW team as the Blues record their first ever Sydney Origin win. Brett Kenny is selected at five-eighth for the first time against Wally Lewis. |
