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 Superplays.
57. Game Three, 1987: Two Queensland tackles in the second half: Wally Lewis on Michael O’Connor and Gary Belcher on Cliff Lyons.
As the 1987 series decider went down to the wire two of Queensland's finest in Wally Lewis and Gary Belcher produced a pair of the best tackles you would hope to see on a rugby league pitch as the Maroons grimly defended their line and a 10-8 halftime lead to claim back the shield after NSW had won the previous two years in a row. With both men staring down their targets as they broke into the backfield down the Blues left edge, Lewis belted NSW centre Michael O'Connor with a ball-and-all bear hug to stop the flyer in his tracks, while Belcher cut down Cliff Lyons when he looked certain to score the match winner with a diving tackle around the legs.