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.
42. Game One, 2001: Final game at Lang Park
The scene for some of the most memorable moments in Queensland rugby league history, from the match that started the whole Origin concept in 1980, to a shower of XXXX cans in 1988 and the 9-8 thriller two years earlier in 1999, over 38,000 turned out for the Cauldron's final show in 2001 before going behind closed doors for refurbishment. And with Wayne Bennett returning to carry the clipboard, the Maroons bounced back from the previous year's whitewash with a resounding 34-16 win to send the old girl out in style. Debutants John Butigieg, John Doyle, Chris Walker and Carl Webb all found their way to the try line as Bennett blooded 10 new players to catch the Blues off guard and set up what would be a famous series victory amongst an era of NSW dominance.
