Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin reveals what inspired Queensland Maroons to famous 1995 State of Origin series win

The 1995 series is regarded as the biggest upset in State of Origin history. 30 years on, former Qld coach Paul Vautin has revealed the secret to their success in the hopes it can inspire Billy Slater’s Maroons in 2025.

Queensland legend Paul Vautin has urged the Maroons to channel the spirit of his 1995 ‘Nevilles’ when they attempt to win back the State of Origin shield this year.

The Maroons of 1995 will gather in Brisbane on Friday for a 30-year anniversary celebration of their famous Origin series victory.

All 18 players to feature for Queensland that year – apart from halfback Adrian Lam (coaching in England) and winger Brett Dallas – are expected to attend the function.

In the early stages of the Super League war, which ruled Brisbane Broncos players out of selection, Vautin coached a team affectionately regarded as ‘Neville Nobodies’ to a famous 3-nil victory against the star-studded NSW Blues.

The Maroons were given little hope of beating a NSW team featuring 11 internationals and future Immortal Andrew Johns, but overcame the odds.

‘Fatty’ Vautin is hoping the Maroons of 2025 can do the same after being stunned by the Blues in last year’s Suncorp Stadium decider and missing the chance to claim three straight series wins under Billy Slater.

Jubilant Queensland team with coach Paul "Fatty" Vautin after winning second game at MCG in the 1995 State of Origin series.

“The team NSW had in 1995 had 11 internationals in it while we had one in Dale Shearer, who we picked at five-eighth because we couldn’t find anyone else,” Vautin said.

“It’s a story for the battlers and goes to show that you can have the most talented team in the world with all the ability, but if you have a team of battlers that play as good as they possibly can then you can do anything.

Vautin embracing Wayne Bartrim.

“I had a phrase ‘keep turning up’. If you keep taking yourself to the coalface to work, and keep doing it, you have to play well.

“It’s about inner spirit and what you’re capable of.

“There is no better place to test that than on a State of Origin footy field.”

The Courier-Mail coverage from Game 3 of the 1995 State of Origin series

The Courier-Mail coverage from Game 3 of the 1995 State of Origin series

Slater, who will attend the function, made a flying start to his Origin coaching career, winning his first two series in charge of the Maroons.

But injuries to key players like Cameron Munster, Kalyn Ponga, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Tom Flegler and Tom Gilbert last year exposed Queensland’s depth and the Blues pounced under the tutelage of Michael Maguire.

Now in charge of the Broncos, Maguire has been replaced by Blues legend Laurie Daley for the 2025 series which begins in Brisbane on May 28.

Vautin will speak at the 1995 function and hopes the stories of that series will inspire Slater’s current generation.

Vautin hopes the 1995 side can inspire Slater’s Maroons 30 years later.

“We’re all very excited and grateful the QRL decided to honour the team,” he said.

“It does help that one of our reserves in that series (Ben Ikin) is now the CEO.

“For the last 30 years, people have come up to me and the guys that played and told me it was their favourite series.

“It was astonishing what that team did. It was brilliant.

“There are a lot of untold stories from the series.

“People have talked about me, ‘Gilly’ (Trevor Gillmeister) and Billy Moore, but I want to hear from Tony Hearn, Gavin Allen, Mark Hohn, Jason Smith and those guys.

“I don’t think I’ve seen or spoken to some of them in 30 years.”