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 Emotions.
34. Game Three, 1993: The match features memorable duels between Paul Harragon and Martin Bella, and Ben Elias and Steve Walters.
Proof if ever it was needed that a dead rubber still means a helluva lot to the players came after the Blues had already wrapped up the series with a 14-10 win at Lang Park in Game One and a series-clinching win by the same four-point margin in Game Two at the SFS. Queensland prop Martin Bella came up seeing red after a stiff-arm from opposite number Harragon early in the first half, and the pair squared off, with commentator Peter Sterling summing it up best as Bella copped a few of the best from the much bigger Harragon: ”I admire Martin’s courage, but let’s be honest…he’s picked the wrong man!” At the same time renowned sparring partners Elias and Walters renewed acquaintances in a far more even affair, with honours split as all four men ended up in the sin bin before Queensland went on to win 24-12 in Bob Lindner's 25th and final Origin contest.