GAME TWO, 1989: LEWIS FAMOUS ORIGIN TRY
1989. Sydney Football Stadium. Wally Lewis.
Arguably the greatest win in State of Origin history sees a Wally Lewis-led Maroons ravaged with injuries and their backs against the wall record an incredible 16-12 win in rain-soaked Sydney.
Coming off a record 36-6 win in Game 1, Queensland know they’re in for a far different game as the Blues rise and terrible injuries start piling up.
The medical emergencies result in Queensland running out of fit interchange players and having no choice but to play with just 12 men on the field for the match’s final stages.
Although a man short, Queensland still have a “King” – and Lewis rampages through defender after defender to leave Blues supporters speechless and Maroons fans in delirium with an amazing series-clinching try.
1989 Game 2, SFS, June 14
Queensland: Gary Belcher; Michael Hancock, Tony Currie, Mal Meninga, Alan McIndoe, Wally Lewis (c), Allan Langer, Martin Bella, Kerrod Walters, Sam Backo, Paul Vautin, Gene Miles, Bob Lindner. Replacements: Michael Hagan, Dale Shearer, Trevor Gillmeister, Gary Coyne.
Coach: Arthur Beetson
NSW: Garry Jack; Chris Johns, Andrew Ettingshausen, Laurie Daley, John Ferguson; Chris Mortimer, Greg Alexander; Peter Kelly, Mario Fenech, Paul Dunn, Bruce McGuire, Gavin Miller (c), Bradley Clyde. Replacements: Des Hasler, John Cartwright, Brad Mackay, Alan Wilson.
Coach: Jack Gibson
Queensland 16 (Hancock, Walters, Lewis tries; Meninga, Belcher goals) def New South Wales 12 (Daley, Johns tries; Alexander 2 goals).
Crowd: 40,000
Referee: David Manson
Man of the Match: Wally Lewis
*This is our latest entry in our line of features highlighting the 100 Greatest Moments in Origin. You can watch more video highlights under 100 Origin Moments under our Origin tab.
