Remembering the 1987 State of Origin series
Roar Guru By Fletch, 18 Feb 2009 The Crowd is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- 1987 State of Origin, Rugby League, State Of Origin
The 1987 rugby league State of Origin series, which was won by Queensland 2-1, has been described as one of the finest exhibitions of the standard of rugby league seen in the country. And here’s why.
You had the Wally Lewis Vs Brett Kenny rivalry; players such as Wayne Pearce, Greg Dowling,Peter Sterling, Gene Miles and Garry Jack,all at the peak of their powers; the introduction of Andrew Ettinghausen and Allan Langer and three very close contests.
NSW won the first game at Lang Park 20-16, thanks to a brave and controversial call by referee Mick Stone who awarded a try to NSW’s Mark McGaw just when the ball appear to roll into the dead-ball line.
But Queensland hit back with a 12-6 win at a muddy SCG to level the series at 1-1.
It all came down to the deciding game, and the turning point of the game and the series was when controversial referee, the late Barry ‘the Grasshopper’ Gomersall, awarded Queensland a penalty against NSW within kicking distance because NSW’s Michael O’Connor was offside when Cliff Lyons kicked the ball.
Queensland’s Dale Shearer kicked the goal to allow Queensland to win 10-8.
Three great contests! The 1987 State of Origin series.
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The Crowd Says (3) | Page 1 of Comments
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- 1987 State of Origin, Rugby League, State Of Origin
February 18th 2009 @ 9:19am
Reg said | February 18th 2009 @ 9:19am | Report comment
That decision by Mick Stone would have to be one of the finest official decisions of all time (obvious overstatement) and I’m a QLDer. I thought we were chipped, but you look at the slow mo and its clearly a try. A brilliant call by Stone.
Great series.
February 18th 2009 @ 10:06am
Jason Cave said | February 18th 2009 @ 10:06am | Report comment
Channel Nine commentator Ian Maurice got it right when he said that the try awarded to NSW’s Mark McGaw by referee Mick Stone in the closing stages of Game 1 of the 1987 series was a ‘controversial decision and a brave decision by referee Stone.’ And remember, this was long before the video referee came into being. Interestingly, Mick Stone was going to award NSW a penalty try because Qld’s Peter Jackson was holding McGaw back in the in-goal area.
February 18th 2009 @ 10:30am
The Link said | February 18th 2009 @ 10:30am | Report comment
Was that the series where Greg Dowling caught the ball in his fingertips off the cross bar in the mud at the SCG? One of the finest pieces of handling I have seen in any Sport.