2014: Blue relief at last after eight straight losses
On day six of our countdown to Origin I in Brisbane, we reflect on a flood of relief as NSW finally win back that cherished shield.
Result: NSW 2, Queensland 1
Series summary:
Finally, at last for long-suffering NSW fans, the dynasty was broken.
The foundation was laid in a tight opening match at Suncorp Stadium, when the new-look halves combination of Josh Reynolds and Trent Hodkinson helped the Blues eke out a 12-8 win, their first in Brisbane since 2009.
The second game was even more of an arm wrestle, decided by a Hodkinson try and conversion in the final 10 minutes of a 6-4 NSW triumph as they finally snapped eight long years of hurt.
A small amount of gloss was taken off the achievement after a heavy 32-8 defeat in game three, but the sight of man of the series Paul Gallen lifting the shield was the moment most NSW fans will remember fondly.
Remember this?
By far the most momentous event of the 2014 series was simply the fact the Blues were finally able to break the shackles and get the better of their Queensland counterparts.
Between 1990 and 2005, NSW had been the dominant side, winning 10 of the 16 contests, with the Maroons winning just four along with two drawn series. So Queensland's ability to then reel off eight straight series wins turned the entire competition on its head.
More from this series:
Considering there were fears for the future of the concept during the Blues' period of dominance, fans still tuned in to watch Queensland's vast superiority, with record ratings and Origin regularly among the highest-watched television programs each year.
The joy and overriding feeling of relief when NSW finally broke through won't be forgotten quickly by fans of those Cockroaches.
Memorable quote:
"It's been a LONG time. Oh it's been a long time man." A tearful Jarryd Hayne can't hide his relief after game two.
From the Herald archives:
NSW finally get Origin ... and they get the series: Former NSW coach Phil Gould's gushing take on the Blues' breakthrough win.
Photo gallery:
Series breakdown:
Game I: NSW 12 Queensland 8, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Queensland: Billy Slater, Darius Boyd, Greg Inglis, Justin Hodges, Brent Tate, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Matthew Scott, Cameron Smith (c), Nate Myles, Chris McQueen, Matt Gillett, Corey Parker. Replacements: Daly Cherry-Evans, Ben T’eo, Aidan Guerra, Josh Papalii.
New South Wales: Jarryd Hayne, Brett Morris, Josh Morris, Michael Jennings, Daniel Tupou, Josh Reynolds, Trent Hodkinson, Aaron Woods, Robbie Farah, James Tamou, Beau Scott, Ryan Hoffman, Paul Gallen (c). Replacements: Trent Merrin, Anthony Watmough, Luke Lewis, Tony Williams.
Game II: NSW 6 Queensland 4, ANZ Stadium, Sydney
New South Wales: Jarryd Hayne, Will Hopoate, Josh Dugan, Michael Jennings, Daniel Tupou, Josh Reynolds, Trent Hodkinson, Aaron Woods, Robbie Farah, Paul Gallen (c), Beau Scott, Ryan Hoffman, Greg Bird. Replacements: Trent Merrin, Anthony Watmough, Luke Lewis, Tony Williams.
Queensland: Billy Slater, Darius Boyd, Greg Inglis, Justin Hodges, Brent Tate, Johnathan Thurston, Daly Cherry-Evans, Matthew Scott, Cameron Smith (c), Nate Myles, Aidan Guerra, Matt Gillett, Sam Thaiday. Replacements: Jacob Lillyman, Ben T’eo, Chris McQueen, Dave Taylor.
Game III: Queensland 32 NSW 8, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Queensland: Billy Slater, Darius Boyd, Greg Inglis, Justin Hodges, Will Chambers, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Jacob Lillyman, Cameron Smith (c), Nate Myles, Aidan Guerra, Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker. Replacements: Daly Cherry-Evans, Matt Gillett, Chris McQueen, Dave Taylor.
New South Wales: Jarryd Hayne, James McManus, Josh Dugan, Josh Morris, Daniel Tupou, Josh Reynolds, Trent Hodkinson, Aaron Woods, Robbie Farah, Paul Gallen (c), Beau Scott, Ryan Hoffman, Greg Bird. Replacements: Trent Merrin, Boyd Cordner, Luke Lewis, Tony Williams.