Remember when the Queensland Maroons won the 1995 State of Origin series in 3-0 whitewash

THE Super League war was in full flight when Queensland’s State of Origin rugby league team knocked out New South Wales for the third time to claim an astounding 3-0 sweep of the series.

Flashback: The 1995 Origin win

THE Super League war was in full flight when Queensland’s State of Origin rugby league team knocked out New South Wales for the third time to claim an astounding 3-0 sweep of the series.

The Maroons, led by coach Paul “Fatty Vautin, won 24-16 at Suncorp Stadium to record the state’s third Origin series whitewash.

The Blues were 3-1 odds on favourites with bookmakers before the game and the ensuing battle of the titans sparked an excited reaction from the 40,589-strong crowd.

And it was a Gold Coast player who ended up scoring the try that secured the game for the Maroons.

Gold Coast History: Gold Coast Bulletin 1995, June 13. Front page.

Ben Ikin was, at the time, the youngest player in Origin history and was just 18 years old as he swooped on a ball dropped by NSW fullback Matt Seers.

It was a big turnaround from earlier in the game when Ikin was brought on as a replacement, conceded a try through a missed tackle, and was dragged back off the field immediately.

Immediately after the game, Vautin praised him.

“He did well. He is a fine player and this series will be the making of him,’’ the coach said.

“When I took over the job five weeks ago, I just wanted to win. These are 17 Queensland heroes.

“That was another great performance by the whole team and I have never enjoyed anything in football more.”

Vautin was praised by fans too, with one banner hanging in the stadium declaring “Fatty for President”.