FIVE MOST SIGNIFICANT STATE OF ORIGIN ‘DEAD RUBBER’ MATCHES

1984 – NSW bt Queensland 22-12 at Lang Park.

Queensland had owned State of Origin but the third game of the 1984 series proved vital in setting up the following years. Down 2-0 in the series, Steve Mortimer gave a sign of things to come in his first game as captain. He set up a try and broke through five tackles as NSW triumphed. They claimed their first series win the following year.

1986 – NSW bt Queensland 18-16 at Lang Park

NSW claimed the first ever State of Origin clean sweep but it wasn’t confirmed until late in the third game. Seven tries were scored in the first half as the two teams went in tied at 16-16, but no points were scored in the second until Wally Lewis was pinged for an offside late. Michael O’Connor kicked the penalty goal and NSW held on for the 3-0 series win.

1990 – Queensland 14 bt NSW 10 at Lang Park

Queensland swung Origin momentum back in their favour with a four-point win in Brisbane. After the Blues jumped to a 10-4 lead early, they looked set to claim their second series whitewash before the Maroons hit back. Gary Belcher scored to level it at the break before Steve Jackson scored to win the Maroons the match. They went on to claim the Shield back in 1991.

2000 – NSW 56 bt Queensland 16 at Stadium Australia (Sydney)

Ryan Girdler scored a record 32 points as the Blues thumped the Maroons in what remains NSW’s biggest Origin win. After surging home late to claim victories in the first two games, NSW were on a high while Queensland coach Wayne Bennett made five changes. The win ensured a big party in Sydney, but the Maroons have spoken since of how the humiliation ensured systems were put in place for Queensland’s greatest era.

2010 – Queensland 23 bt NSW 18 at ANZ Stadium (Sydney)

Queensland’s domination from 2006 until 2017 was never clearer than in 2010 when they claimed their only series whitewash of the era. After wrapping up the Shield with a 34-6 flogging in Brisbane, the Maroons jumped out to a 12-0 lead early in Sydney. NSW hit back, and even led 18-13 with 10 minutes to play. As they did throughout their 11 series wins in 12 years, Queensland found a way to win, scoring tries through Billy Slater and Willie Tonga to complete one of just four 3-0 results in Maroons’ history.