Five of the most brutal blow ups in Origin history

QUEENSLAND and NSW have engaged in some ferocious fights over the years. Here are five of the most fearsome.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 05: Paul Gallen of the Blues punches Nate Myles of the Maroons during game one of the ARL State of Origin series between the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Maroons at ANZ Stadium on June 5, 2013 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

TO help get you in the mood for another State of Origin series, we’ve put together a list of the top five rumbles in Origin history.

5. MICHAEL CROCKER vs JUSTIN POORE, GAME TWO, 2009

Crocker has never been one to shirk a fight and rarely passed up an opportunity to throw one at a man in a blue jersey. Unfortunately for Justin Poore, he was the man in the blue jersey in 2009.

4. GREG OLIPHANT vs GRAEME WYNN vs ARTIE BEETSON, GAME ONE, 1980

In the match that started it all, this fight proved that the State of Origin concept worked. Even players from the same club were willing to rip each other to shreds for the pride of their state.

3. THE ‘95 ALL-IN BRAWL, GAME TWO, 1995

Remembered as one of the biggest fights in Origin history, nearly every player got to have their say in this battle. John Hopate featured pretty heavily, taking on two Maroons and even his own Manly teammate.

2. MICHAEL JENNINGS THROWS A FLYING PUNCH, GAME ONE, 2012

Jennings was lucky to get away with only one week on the sidelines after he launched his body, and his fist, into Brent Tate’s head.

1. PAUL GALLEN vs NATE MYLES, GAME ONE, 2013

The Blues skipper received a one week suspension after exchanging knuckles with Maroon Nate Myles, causing huge public debate in the rugby league world. This punch-up would forever change the way fighting was tolerated in the game.