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Message: [QUOTE="Big Pete, post: 2742988, member: 1899"] STATE OF ORIGIN GAME II QUEENSLAND 16; NSW 12 at the Sydney Football Stadium It was the greatest show of courage in the history of State of Origin. A modern day Rorke’s Drift. Queensland won the battle and they won the 1989 Origin “war” in a performance against unbelievable odds at the Sydney Football Stadium. Injuries to key players left the champion Marooon side at their most vulnerable point in years, but the Queensland responded in stunning style. By halftime Queensland had lost Mal Meninga, Paul Vautin and Allan Langer – three world class players, and midway through the second half Test aspirant was forced from the field. A serious leg injury to Bob Lindner left Queensland a man short in the desperate dying stage of the match but there was no relenting. Skipper Wally Lewis rallied his team, asking for and receiving a second effort from those left standing. It was Lewis, himself, who inspired the recovery. Since 1980 Lewis had made State of Origin arena his own. His effort at the Sydney Football Stadium on June 14, though, may rank as his finest. When the situation looked as its most desperate, Lewis was there to show the way, making three tackles in a row, kicking with controlled accuracy, making a break himself. His second half try was the matchwinner. A breathtaking 30-metre surge for the line from a standing start left New South Welshmen scattered in his wake. When Langer was on the field, Lewis appeared content to let the blond-haired dynamo to weave his magic. But when Langer’s leg snapped with a sicking crack Lewis’ team-mates looked to him for direction. He took the game from that point. Few New South Welshmen in the crowd of 40,000 could begrudge him the man of the match medal. In fact the capacity house was unusually subdued. A Queensland victory inevitably leads to howls or derision by the pro-New South Wales crowd. But not this time. In their silence they paid the Maroons the ultimate compliment. Lewis’ show was not a one man act. The contribution of the entire team was superb. Hooker Kerrod Walters earned himself the green and gold number nine jersey with his darting runs from dummy half, his scrumming, his defence. Centre Tony Currie, as usual, played above his weight. There was a sting in every tackle. Second-rower Gene Miles was all-powerful in the Queensland back row. His transformation from world quality centre to world class forward was complete. Props Sam Backo and Martin Bella launched the win with their sold up-front presence and backline speedsters Gary Belcher and Alan McIndoe played important roles. New South Wales’ form had vastly improved on their first up performance. They were simply beaten by the better side. The defence of Peter Kelly and Bruce McGuire was significant in the team’s improvement. Bradley Clyde, McGuire, Greg Alexander, Kelly and Mario Fenech, Chris Johns and Gavin Miller were powerful performers. It was Queensland’s night, and the Maroons’ series – their six series win since 1992. Queensland 16 (Hanckcok, Walters, Lewis tries; Meninga, Belcher goals) defeated New South Wales 12 (Daley, Johns tries; Alexander 2 goals) Queensland Gary Belcher, Michael Hancock, Tony Currie, Mal Meninga, Alan McIndoe Wally Lewis, Allan Langer Sam Backo, Kerrod Walters, Martin Bella, Gene Miles, Paul Vautin, Bob Lindner Reserves: Trevor Gillmeister, Dale Shearer, Gary Coyne, Michael Hagan New South Wales Garry Jack, Chris Johns, Andrew Ettingshausen, Laurie Daley, John Ferguson Chris Mortimer, Greg Alexander Paul Dunn, Mario Fenech, Peter Kelly, Gavin Miller, Bruce McGuire, Brad Clyde Reserves: Des Hasler, John Cartwright, Brad Mackay, Alan Wilson [/QUOTE]

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