Flashback: How 2002’s State of Origin series became the final draw between NSW and Maroons
PUMPED for next week’s State of Origin decider? Before settling down for that, flashback to 2002, when Allan Langer played his final Origin footy and the last time the series was a draw.
History
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STATE of Origin is full of memorable moments and footy fans are looking for a few more at this Wednesday’s final game of the 2017 series.
The decider, at Suncorp Stadium is set to be one of Origin’s most memorable affairs after two notable rough games through this year’s series.
But it would have to be pretty special to top the 2002 series and its memorable moments, especially in its thriller third and final game
At the 2002 series’ start, Queensland had won the previous series after the triumphant return of Allan Langer and was ready to try its luck against a younger and stronger NSW team.
Langer, along with Maroons veterans Gordon Tallis and Darren Lockyer took to the field at Sydney’s Stadium Australia on May 22, 2002 in front of more than 55,000 people to defend the title.
It was not to be as the Maroons were smashed 32-4 by the Blues, led by Andrew Johns and powerful players including future Titans player Luke Baily, Danny Buderus and Jamie Lyon.
Queensland bounced back to win the second game at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium 26-18, setting up a decided to be played in Sydney.
Tallis was front at centre at the biggest moments of the June 26, 2002 decider, including one of league’s most famous tackles.
Brett Hodgson got the ball deep in NSW territory and made a run for the side of the filed Tallis, known to fans as the ‘raging bull” charged at him, grabbed him by the collar of his jersey and spun the Blues player while dragging him off the field.
The moment, just 14 minutes into the game, shocked commentators who declared “you will not see a better try like that from Godon Tallis ... that is quite a remarkable tackle ... that’s deadset rodeo stuff”.
Tallis again took centre field in the games’ dying minutes after Maroons coach Wayne Bennett reported told him to “shut the series down” by equalling the score if it was impossible to gain an advantaged on the scoreboard..
With two minutes remaining, NSW were ahead 18-14 when Dane Carlaw grabbed a pass from Langer and made a break through the Blues line to score and equal the series.
As Carlaw and his teammates celebrated, Tallis shouted at the crowd and aggressively flipped the bird.
It later turned out he was infuriated by a sign making a crass reference to his mother.
Lote Tuqiri failed to convert Carlaw’s try and the series was declared a draw with Queensland holding onto the silverware.
It was just the second draw in Origin history, following the 1999 series, and meant that the previous year’s winner, in both cases, the Maroons, retained the shield for another year.
The end of the series proved so controversial the rules were changed to prevent a repeat.
Now, under modern State of Origin rules, it is impossible for a game and series to be declared a draw, with a tied score now broken by a golden point.
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