2003 State of Origin series

Template:Short description The 2003 State of Origin series was the 22nd year that the annual three-game series between Queensland and New South Wales was contested entirely under 'state of origin' selection rules. Queensland's return to a renovated Lang Park was soured when Andrew Johns returned to form for New South Wales in devastating fashion.

Arnold Schwarzenegger appeared in television promotions for the 2003 series. Blues coach Phil Gould sparked controversy before the series had even started when he slammed the form of his champion half-back Johns in his Sun-Herald column. Gould claimed that Johns had lost his "self-confidence" in an attack that caused outrage from all corners, including Johns himself, who had words with Gould at a pre-Origin briefing. But in the end it was psychology that worked, as 2003 was Johns' best ever series performance.

Game I

Wednesday, 11 June 2003

Queensland File:Queensland colours.svg	12–25	File:New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales
Darren Lockyer (8 - 1t,2g) Gorden Tallis (4 -1t)	(Report)	(13 - 1t,4g,1fg) Andrew Johns (8 - 2t) Anthony Minichiello (4 -1t) Craig Wing

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: 52,429 Referee: Bill Harrigan Player of the Match: Luke Bailey

In Game I, Andrew Johns spoiled what was supposed to be a party time for the Queenslanders, who returned to their spiritual home of Suncorp Stadium formerly known as Lang Park. The ground was quickly nicknamed the "Sand Pit" as its sandy surface was constantly shifting under the feet of players. Both Maroons centres Justin Hodges and Paul Bowman, were taken from the field with serious knee injuries which were later blamed on the shifting surface.

The Blues pack led by interchange prop Luke Bailey, hammered their Maroons counterparts and gave Johns plenty of room to weave his magic. Johns contributed 13 points to the tally while Anthony Minichiello scored a try double.

Game II

Wednesday, 25 June 2003

New South Wales File:New South Wales colours.svg	27–4	File:Queensland colours.svg Queensland
(8 - 2t) Timana Tahu (7 - 3g,1fg) Andrew Johns (4 - 1t) Ben Kennedy (4 - 1t)Matthew Gidley (4 - 1t) Anthony Minichiello	(Report)	Michael Crocker (4 - 1t)

Telstra Stadium, Sydney Attendance: 79,132 Referee: Bill Harrigan Player of the Match: Andrew Johns

The series was virtually decided by half-time of game II after the Blues raced to a 17–0 lead. Johns was again the catalyst starting the scoring with a brilliant banana kick that rebounded off the cross bar, went through the hands of Michael De Vere and fell to the ground before Ben Kennedy pounced.

There was no greater example of the brilliant halfback's influence than the last minute before the break. Johns kicked for touch from a 20-metre restart, then after winning the ensuing scrum, hoisted a bomb high into the air which was contested before being batted back into his hands. Without a second thought and while on the run, he potted a 25-metre field goal with ease.

The final score was 27–4 to the Blues who remained unbeaten from seven matches on their home turf of Telstra Stadium.

Game III

Wednesday, 16 July 2003

Queensland File:Queensland colours.svg	36–6	File:New South Wales colours.svg New South Wales
Matt Sing (12 - 3t) Brent Tate (8 - 2t) Josh Hannay (8 - 4g) Cameron Smith (4 - 1t) Michael Crocker (4 - 1t)	(Report)	(4 - 1t) Timana Tahu (2 - 1g) Andrew Johns

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: 52,130 Referee: Bill Harrigan Player of the Match: Matt Sing

Game III, a "dead rubber", restored some much needed pride for the Maroons who dominated the Blues in every facet of the game. Winger Matt Sing was superb, scoring three tries in a man-of-the match performance.

Queensland started with a new-found zest and led 16-0 after just 17 minutes before strangling the Blues out of the contest. Johns was forced to accept the shield in front of an almost empty stadium after Queensland had completed a lap of honour. It was an anticlimactic end to what had been the gifted number seven's best ever series. Queensland's dead rubber win equalled their biggest ever State of Origin victory, which was first equalled in 1989, and then again in 2008, before it was broken in the third game of the 2015 series.

Teams

A total of twelve players from the 2003 Brisbane Broncos season were selected to play in the series, making them the most heavily represented club. A total of nine players from the 2003 Sydney Roosters season were selected to play in the series, making them the second most heavily represented club.

New South Wales

Position	Game 1		Game 2		Game 3
Fullback	Template:Leagueicon Anthony Minichiello
Wing	Template:Leagueicon Timana Tahu
Centre	Template:Leagueicon Matt Gidley
Centre	Template:Leagueicon Jamie Lyon
Wing	Template:Leagueicon Michael De Vere
Five-Eighth	Template:Leagueicon Shaun Timmins
Halfback	Template:Leagueicon Andrew Johns (c)
Prop	Template:Leagueicon Robbie Kearns
Hooker	Template:Leagueicon Danny Buderus
Prop	Template:Leagueicon Jason Ryles
Second Row	Template:Leagueicon Craig Fitzgibbon				Template:Leagueicon Bryan Fletcher
Second Row	Template:Leagueicon Ben Kennedy				Template:Leagueicon Luke Ricketson
Lock	Template:Leagueicon Luke Ricketson				Template:Leagueicon Braith Anasta
Interchange	Template:Leagueicon Luke Bailey
Interchange	Template:Leagueicon Phil Bailey
Interchange	Template:Leagueicon Craig Wing
Interchange	Template:Leagueicon Josh Perry		Template:Leagueicon Bryan Fletcher		Template:Leagueicon Willie Mason
Coach	Template:Leagueicon Phil Gould

Queensland

Position	Game 1		Game 2		Game 3
Fullback	Template:Leagueicon Darren Lockyer
Wing	Template:Leagueicon Shannon Hegarty
Centre	Template:Leagueicon Brent Tate
Centre	Template:Leagueicon Justin Hodges		Template:Leagueicon Tonie Carroll		Template:Leagueicon Josh Hannay
Wing	Template:Leagueicon Matt Sing
Five-Eighth	Template:Leagueicon Ben Ikin
Halfback	Template:Leagueicon Shaun Berrigan
Prop	Template:Leagueicon Shane Webcke
Hooker	Template:Leagueicon PJ Marsh		Template:Leagueicon Michael Crocker		Template:Leagueicon Cameron Smith
Prop	Template:Leagueicon Petero Civoniceva		Template:Leagueicon Steve Price		Template:Leagueicon Petero Civoniceva
Second Row	Template:Leagueicon Gorden Tallis (c)
Second Row	Template:Leagueicon Dane Carlaw		Template:Leagueicon Petero Civoniceva		Template:Leagueicon Dane Carlaw
Lock	Template:Leagueicon Tonie Carroll		Template:Leagueicon Travis Norton		Template:Leagueicon Tonie Carroll
Interchange	Template:Leagueicon Steve Price		Template:Leagueicon Dane Carlaw		Template:Leagueicon Steve Price
Interchange	Template:Leagueicon Chris Flannery		Template:Leagueicon Andrew Gee		Template:Leagueicon Travis Norton
Interchange	Template:Leagueicon Paul Bowman		Template:Leagueicon Scott Sattler		Template:Leagueicon Michael Crocker
Interchange	Template:Leagueicon Andrew Gee		Template:Leagueicon Matt Bowen
Coach	Template:Leagueicon Wayne Bennett

See also

• 2003 NRL season

Footnotes

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

External links

• 2003 State of Origin at sportsphotography.net
• State of Origin 2003 at rugbyleagueproject.org