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 Controversy.
82. Game Two, 1982: The first Origin appearance of referee Barry Gomersall
New South Wales didn't know what hit them when Barry Gomersall made his State of Origin debut as a referee. When QRL General Manager Ross Livermore put forward his name ahead of the more fancied Eddie Ward and David Manson for Origin II of the 1982 series little did New South Wales realise that 'The Grasshoppper' as Gomersall was known as meant business. New South Wales were penalised out of the game in this particular fixture and ended up losing 11-7. This trend would seemingly continue throughout the other eight fixtures The Grasshopper adjudicated with the Blues only managing to scrape together two wins over this period.