Game One of this year's Holden State of Origin Series marks the 100th clash between fierce rugby league rivals New South Wales and Queensland. To mark the occasion NRL.com is reliving 100 of the most iconic moments of the past 34 years of this compelling contest. Right through to Game Three on July 9, we'll publish videos of the Milestones, Superstars, Gamebreakers, Superplays, Heroes, Emotions and Controversy - all of the exciting elements that have made Origin the most-watched spectacle in rugby league. This week: Origin's Greatest Milestones.
14. Game 3, 2000: Ryan Girdler scores a record 32 points in one game. Series record for points (52) and tries (five).
Whatever it was, it wasn't Origin – or so embittered Queensland fans would tell you after NSW inflicted Origin's most massive defeat with a bag of pointscoring records that may never be broken. Ryan Girdler's full bag of tricks was on display, including his prowess for the intercept and precision goalkicking. Five tries, 16 goals and 52 points is a series benchmark that will take some overhauling but for furious Queenslanders, it wasn't the whitewash or the scorelines that hurt the most. Bryan Fletcher's infamous hand grenade post-try celebration is the enduring image of Queensland's lowest-ever Origin series and is all the proof you need that they know how to hold a grudge. They've now been making the Blues pay for it for eight straight series and counting.
