2003 State of Origin series

The 2003 State of Origin series was the 22nd year that the annual three-game series between Queensland and New South Wales was contested entirely under 'state of origin' selection rules. Queensland's return to a renovated Lang Park was soured when Andrew Johns returned to form for New South Wales in devastating fashion.

2003 State of Origin series
Won by New South Wales (10th title)
Series margin2-1
Points scored110
Attendance183,682 (ave. 61,227 per match)
Top points scorer(s) Andrew Johns (22)
Top try scorer(s) Anthony Minichiello (3)
Timana Tahu (3)
Matt Sing (3)

Arnold Schwarzenegger appeared in television promotions for the 2003 series.[1][2] Blues coach Phil Gould sparked controversy before the series had even started when he slammed the form of his champion half-back Johns in his Sun-Herald column. Gould claimed that Johns had lost his "self-confidence" in an attack that caused outrage from all corners, including Johns himself, who had words with Gould at a pre-Origin briefing. But in the end it was psychology that worked, as 2003 was Johns' best ever series performance.

Game I
Wednesday, 11 June 2003
Queensland 12–25 New South Wales
Darren Lockyer (8 - 1t,2g)
Gorden Tallis (4 -1t)		 (Report) (13 - 1t,4g,1fg) Andrew Johns
(8 - 2t) Anthony Minichiello
(4 -1t) Craig Wing
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Attendance: 52,429
Referee: Bill Harrigan[3]
Man of the Match: Luke Bailey

In Game I, Andrew Johns spoiled what was supposed to be a party time for the Queenslanders, who returned to their spiritual home of Suncorp Stadium formerly known as Lang Park. The ground was quickly nicknamed the "Sand Pit" as its sandy surface was constantly shifting under the feet of players. Both Maroons centres Justin Hodges and Paul Bowman, were taken from the field with serious knee injuries which were later blamed on the shifting surface.

The Blues pack led by interchange prop Luke Bailey, hammered their Maroons counterparts and gave Johns plenty of room to weave his magic. Johns contributed 13 points to the tally while Anthony Minichiello scored a try double.

Game II
Wednesday, 25 June 2003
New South Wales 27–4 Queensland
(8 - 2t) Timana Tahu
(7 - 3g,1fg) Andrew Johns
(4 - 1t) Ben Kennedy
(4 - 1t)Matthew Gidley
(4 - 1t) Anthony Minichiello		 (Report) Michael Crocker (4 - 1t)
Telstra Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 79,132
Referee: Bill Harrigan[4]
Man of the Match: Andrew Johns

The series was virtually decided by half-time of game II after the Blues raced to a 17-0 lead. Johns was again the catalyst starting the scoring with a brilliant banana kick that rebounded off the cross bar, went through the hands of Michael De Vere and fell to the ground before Ben Kennedy pounced.

There was no greater example of the brilliant halfback's influence than the last minute before the break. Johns kicked for touch from a 20-metre restart, then after winning the ensuing scrum, hoisted a bomb high into the air which was contested before being batted back into his hands. Without a second thought and while on the run, he potted a 25-metre field goal with ease.

The final score was 27-4 to the Blues who remained unbeaten from seven matches on their home turf of Telstra Stadium.

Game III
Wednesday, 16 July 2003
Queensland 36–6 New South Wales
Matt Sing (12 - 3t)
Brent Tate (8 - 2t)
Josh Hannay (8 - 4g)
Cameron Smith (4 - 1t)
Michael Crocker (4 - 1t)		 (Report) (4 - 1t) Timana Tahu
(2 - 1g) Andrew Johns
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Attendance: 52,130
Referee: Bill Harrigan[5]
Man of the Match: Matt Sing

Game III, a "dead rubber", restored some much needed pride for the Maroons who dominated the Blues in every facet of the game. Winger Matt Sing was superb, scoring three tries in a man-of-the match performance.

Queensland started with a new-found zest and led 16-0 after just 17 minutes before strangling the Blues out of the contest. Johns was forced to accept the shield in front of an almost empty stadium after Queensland had completed a lap of honour. It was an anti-climactic end to what had been the gifted number seven's best ever series. Queensland's dead rubber win equalled their biggest ever State of Origin victory, which was first equalled in 1989, and then again in 2008, before it was broken in the third game of the 2015 series.

Teams

A total of twelve players from the 2003 Brisbane Broncos season were selected to play in the series, making them the most heavily represented club. A total of nine players from the 2003 Sydney Roosters season were selected to play in the series, making them the second most heavily represented club.

New South Wales
Position Game 1 Game 2 Game 3
Fullback Anthony Minichiello
Wing Timana Tahu
Centre Matt Gidley
Centre Jamie Lyon
Wing Michael De Vere
Five-Eighth Shaun Timmins
Halfback Andrew Johns (c)
Prop Robbie Kearns
Hooker Danny Buderus
Prop Jason Ryles
Second Row Craig Fitzgibbon Bryan Fletcher
Second Row Ben Kennedy Luke Ricketson
Lock Luke Ricketson Braith Anasta
Interchange Luke Bailey
Interchange Phil Bailey
Interchange Craig Wing
Interchange Josh Perry Bryan Fletcher Willie Mason
Coach Phil Gould

Queensland
Position Game 1 Game 2 Game 3
Fullback Darren Lockyer
Wing Shannon Hegarty
Centre Brent Tate
Centre Justin Hodges Tonie Carroll Josh Hannay
Wing Matt Sing
Five-Eighth Ben Ikin
Halfback Shaun Berrigan
Prop Shane Webcke
Hooker PJ Marsh Michael Crocker Cameron Smith
Prop Petero Civoniceva Steve Price Petero Civoniceva
Second Row Gorden Tallis (c)
Second Row Dane Carlaw Petero Civoniceva Dane Carlaw
Lock Tonie Carroll Travis Norton Tonie Carroll
Interchange Steve Price Dane Carlaw Steve Price
Interchange Chris Flannery Andrew Gee Travis Norton
Interchange Paul Bowman Scott Sattler Michael Crocker
Interchange Andrew Gee Matt Bowen
Coach Wayne Bennett

See also

References
  1. Jacquelin Magnay, Anthony Dennis and Alex Brown (26 June 2003). "Hasta la vista, baby: Blues make it Terminator II". The Sydney Morning Herald. Australia: Fairfax Media. Retrieved 6 February 2011.
  2. Maddox, Garry (26 June 2003). "Arnie the holiday winner". The Sydney Morning Herald. Australia: Fairfax Media. Retrieved 6 February 2011.
  3. 2003 Game I at nrlstats.com
  4. 2003 Game II at nrlstats.com
  5. 2003 Game III at nrlstats.com

Footnotes
  • Big League's 25 Years of Origin Collectors' Edition, News Magazines, Surry Hills, Sydney
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