1989 Rugby League State of Origin series

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1989 State of Origin series
Won by	Queensland (8th series title)
Series margin	3-0
Points scored	130
Attendance	106,356 (average 35,452 per match)
Top points scorer(s)	Mal Meninga (18 points)
Top try scorer(s)	Michael Hancock (4 tries)

The 1989 State of Origin series was the 10th annual Australian Rugby League State of Origin series between New South Wales and Queensland. It was Queensland's second consecutive Origin clean-sweep and an unpleasant inauguration for New South Wales' new coach Jack Gibson who along with a new captain in Gavin Miller and eight new players was brought into a dramatically overhauled Blues side who had previously lost five successive State of Origin matches.

Contents 1 Games 1.1 Game One 1.2 Game Two 1.3 Game Three 2 Teams 2.1 New South Wales 2.2 Queensland 3 Sources

[edit] Games

[edit] Game One

May 23, 1989
	Queensland	36–6	New South Wales	Lang Park Attendance: 33,088 Referee: Mick Stone Man of Match: Martin Bella
	(8 - 2 t) Michael Hancock (16 - 2 t, 4 g) Mal Meninga (4 - 1 t) Alan McIndoe (4 - 1 t) Allan Langer (4 - 1 t) Bob Lindner	(Report)	Andrew Ettingshausen(4 - 1 t) Laurie Daley (2 - 1 g)

Jack Gibson had never before coached at representative level and turned from Origin commentator to coach. He was pitted against his good friend and golfing buddy Arthur Beetson who had been recalled as Queensland coach to take over from Wayne Bennett. With experienced Blues Peter Sterling, Brett Kenny and Wayne Pearce all retired from representative football, New South Wales were forced to eleveate some debutantes and only four players in game I of 1989 were in the squad from game II of 1988 - Jack, Ferguson, Hasler and Ettingshausen.

Gavin Miller had not represented for New South Wales since 1983 but was selected and posted as skipper. Canberra teenagers Laurie Daley and Bradley Clyde made their debut at the intimidating Lang Park "Cauldron". The many Blues new faces were overwhelmed and beaten by the then record score of 36-6.

[edit] Game Two

June 14, 1989
	Queensland	16–12	New South Wales	Sydney Football Stadium Attendance: 40,000 Referee: David Manson Man of Match: Wally Lewis
	(4 - 1 t) Michael Hancock (4 - 1 t) Kerrod Walters (4 - 1 t) Wally Lewis (2 - 1 g) Mal Meninga (2 - 1 g) Gary Belcher	(Report)	Laurie Daley(4 - 1 t) Chris Johns (4 - 1 t) Greg Alexander (4 - 2 g)

Queensland wrapped-up the 1989 series in game II in probably their most courageous effort in Origin history. They lost Allan Langer with a broken leg, Mal Meninga with a fractured eye socket and Paul Vautin with an elbow injury by half-time. In the second half, Michael Hancock came off with a bruised shoulder while Bob Lindner played on with a fracture in his ankle which he carried for much of the match before retiring five minutes from the end, leaving the Maroons down to 12 men.

Lindner claimed it was the toughest match in which he had played and Wally Lewis rated it as Queensland's greatest performance. Maroon's coach Beetson was irate at the Blues' intimidating tactics, claiming New South Wales hard man Peter Kelly was allowed by referee McCallum to get away with illegal tackling.

[edit] Game Three

June 28, 1989
	Queensland	36–16	New South Wales	Lang Park Attendance: 33,268 Referee: Greg McCallum Man of Match: Kerrod Walters
	(16 - 2 t, 4 g) Dale Shearer (4 - 1 t) Gary Belcher (4 - 1 t) Alan McIndoe (4 - 1 t) Michael Hancock (4 - 1 t) Tony Currie	(Report)	Des Hasler (4 - 1 t) David Trewhella (4 - 1 t) Bruce McGuire (4 - 1 t) Michael O'Connor (4 - 2 g)

[edit] Teams

[edit] New South Wales

Position	Game 1		Game 2		Game 3
Fullback	Garry Jack
Wing	John Ferguson
Centre	Andrew Farrar		Andrew Ettingshausen		Brian Johnston
Centre	Laurie Daley				Chris Johns
Wing	Chris Johns				Michael O'Connor
Five-Eighth	Terry Lamb		Chris Mortimer		Des Hasler
Halfback	Des Hasler		Greg Alexander
Prop	Paul Dunn				Bruce McGuire
Hooker	Mario Fenech				David Trewhella
Prop	John Cartwright		Peter Kelly
Second Row	Gavin Miller (c)
Second Row	Paul Sironen		Bruce McGuire		Mark Geyer
Lock	Bradley Clyde		Brad Mackay
Replacement	Andrew Ettingshausen		Brad Mackay		Terry Matterson
Replacement	Greg Alexander		Alan Wilson
Replacement	Chris Mortimer		Des Hasler		Phil Blake
Replacement	Glenn Lazarus		John Cartwright
Coach	Jack Gibson

[edit] Queensland

Position	Game 1		Game 2		Game 3
Fullback	Gary Belcher
Wing	Alan McIndoe
Centre	Tony Currie
Centre	Mal Meninga				Dale Shearer
Wing	Michael Hancock
Five-Eighth	Wally Lewis (c)
Halfback	Allan Langer				Michael Hagan
Prop	Martin Bella
Hooker	Kerrod Walters
Prop	Dan Stains		Sam Backo
Second Row	Paul Vautin				Dan Stains
Second Row	Gene Miles
Lock	Bob Lindner				Paul Vautin
Replacement	Dale Shearer				Kevin Walters
Replacement	Michael Hagan				Peter Jackson
Replacement	Trevor Gillmeister
Replacement	Gary Coyne
Coach	Arthur Beetson

[edit] Sources

• Big League's 25 Years of Origin Collectors' Edition , News Magazines, Surry Hills, Sydney

State of Origin
New South Wales	Queensland
The Team Players • Records Captains and Coaches	The Team Players • History • Records Captains and Coaches
Series
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Other
Results & Statistics • Roy and HG's commentary Super League Tri-Series
Governing Bodies
Australian Rugby League New South Wales Rugby League • Queensland Rugby League