Background

The State Of Origin has been part of Australian culture since 1980. It unites all NSW and Queensland, and entices many onlookers Australia wide. The whole idea is to pit Australia’s biggest and best Rugby League players against one another, where the teams are decided based on where you started playing football. Amazingly, after 27 years of Origin clashes, the difference between Queensland and New South Wales is still very slim.

The secret to the series is passion. Perhaps this passion for origin has stemmed from the way Sydney rugby league has treated Queensland for the past century. For over 60 years NSW treated Queensland like second class citizens. They only gave the state any attention when it poached its players and made them play for New South Wales. As a result, state matches resulted in Queensland suffering from some of the most humiliating thrashings in Australian sport.

In 1980, State of Origin finally gave Queensland the chance to compete on a semi-even field. Players played for the state they originated from instead of their state of residence. Even though Queensland had access to their best players they were still expected to lose. But such was their passion for their jersey, the Queenslanders played above themselves. Once a player pulled on the maroon jumper, the underdogs found strength, ability and intelligence that was previously lacking.

The passion that Queenslanders show for their own jersey also seems to have an effect on the NSW players. Although they never seem to be as vocal in their pride in the light blue jersey, the NSW players never leave the field with anything in reserve.

It's hard to explain the passion and spirit that runs through your veins when you are willing the boys along. If your a Queenslander at heart, you will understand the feeling of watching the game and hating anyone in a blue jersey. Its almost as if your life depends on it and you can't think of anything worse than losing to your rival state.

This is why we love it and will continue to love it for many years to come. So when it comes to that time of year again, when your veins are running with maroon blood, cheer your loudest and show the support that every Queenslander was born with.

Facts

Biggest Win by NSW: NSW 56 d. QLD 16 in Game 3 2000
Biggest Win by Qld: QLD 36 d. NSW 6 in Game 1 1989 and Origin 3 2003

Highest Score by NSW: NSW 56 d. QLD 16 in Game 3 2000
Highest Score by Qld: QLD 40 d. NSW 14 in Game 3 2001

Highest Scoring Match: 72 points Game 3 2000 (NSW 56 QLD 16)
Lowest Scoring Match: 2 points Game 1 1995 (QLD 2 NSW 0)

Most Consecutive Wins -
QLD: 6, Game 1 1988 - Game 3 1989
NSW: 5, Game1 1996 - Game 2 1997

Most Consecutive Series Wins: 3 QLD 1982-1984, QLD 1987-1990, NSW 1992-1994, NSW 2003-2005

Most Matches Won (Individual) NSW: 17 Brad Fittler, 15 Andrew Ettingshausen
Most Matches Won (Individual) QLD: 19 Wally Lewis, 17 Allan Langer

Most Series Won (Individual) NSW: 7 Brad Fittler, Rod Wishart
Most Series Won (Individual) QLD: 7 Wally Lewis, 6 Allan Langer, Gene Miles

Most Series for NSW: 12 Brad Fittler, 10 Andrew Ettingshausen
Most Series for QLD: 12 Allan Langer, 11 Mal Meninga, 11 Trevor Gillmeister

Most Games as QLD Captain: 30 Wally Lewis, 13 Darren Lockyer, 9 Mal Meninga
Most Games as NSW Captain: 14 Brad Fittler, 13 Laurie Daley

Most Man Of The Match Awards (QLD): 8 Wally Lewis, 4 Allan Langer
Most Man of the Match Awards (NSW): 4 Peter Sterling, Andrew Johns

Most Tries (Match) NSW: 3 Chris Anderson (Game 3 '83), Ryan Girdler (Game 3 '00),
Matt King (Game 3 '05)
Most Tries (Match) QLD: 3 Kerry Boustead (Game 1 '84), Lote Tuqiri (Game 2 '02), Matt Sing (Game 3 '03)
Most Goals (Match): 10 Ryan Girdler (Game 3 2000 for NSW)
Most Field Goals (Match): 2 Ben Elias (Game 3 1994)
Most Points (Match) NSW: 32 Ryan Girdler (Game 3 2000)
Most Points (Match) QLD: 18 Lote Tuqiri (Game 2 2002)

Most Points (Series): 52 Ryan Girdler (2000 series for NSW)
Most Tries (Series): 5 Ryan Girdler (2000 for NSW), Lote Tuqiri (2002 for QLD)
Most Goals (Series): 16 Ryan Girdler (2000 series for NSW)
Most Field Goals (Series): 2 Ben Elias (1994 series for NSW)

Most Appearances for QLD: 34 Allan Langer 32 Mal Meninga
Most Appearances for NSW: 31 Brad Fittler, 27 Andrew Ettingshausen
Most Appearances by Referee: 21 Bill Harrigan, 10 David Manson

Most Points for QLD: 161 Mal Meninga, 73 Darren Lockyer, 66 Dale Shearer
Most Points for NSW: 129 Michael O'Connor, 94 Andrew Johns, 82 Ryan Girdler
Most Tries for QLD: 12 Dale Shearer, 10 Allan Langer
Most Tries for NSW: 11 M. O'Connor, 8 Brad Fittler
Most Goals for QLD: 69 Mal Meninga, 22 Darren Lockyer
Most Goals for NSW: 42 Michael O'Connor, 37 Andrew Johns, 27 Ryan Girdler
Most Field Goals for QLD: 2 Wally Lewis, Johnathan Thurston
Most Field Goals for NSW: 4 Andrew Johns

Most Games as QLD Captain: 30 Wally Lewis, 13 Darren Lockyer, 9 Mal Meninga
Most Games as NSW Captain: 14 Brad Fittler, 13 Laurie Daley
Most Man Of The Match Awards (QLD): 8 Wally Lewis, 4 Allan Langer
Most Man of the Match Awards (NSW): 4 Peter Sterling, Andrew Johns

Most Consecutive Matches NSW: 20 Paul Harragon (Game 1 '92 - Game 2 '98)
Most Consecutive Matches QLD: 24 Gary Larson (Game 1 '91 - Game 3 '98)

Oldest QLD Player: Allan Langer, Game 3 2002 - 35 years and 331 days

Youngest QLD Player: Ben Ikin, Game 1 1995 - 18 years and 83 days

Total Attendances: 3,417,624 - after 2007 Series

Most Players From One Club in One Match: 11 Brisbane Broncos, Game 1 2001