Mal Meninga 7/7 Still Equal Best Queensland Kicking Performance in One Match
1980. Lang Park. Mal Meninga.
Queensland centre Mal Meninga creates his first piece of Origin history with his flawless goal-kicking display proving the difference in Queensland’s celebrated 20-10 win.
With a parochial crowd urging him on, Meninga’s perfect seven from seven is a Queensland goal-kicking performance which has stood the test of time.
Both states score two tries apiece; but the Blues can only watch as Meninga – who is also celebrating his 20th birthday – shows just how cool he is under pressure; employing his famous goal-kicking style to record a flawless night with the boot.
Perhaps it is fitting Meninga sets an Origin record from the series’ first ever game as 34 years later, the now Maroons coach is overseeing a side who are striving to achieve an incredible nine State of Origin series wins in a row.
Lang Park, July 8, 1980
Queensland: Colin Scott; Kerry Boustead, Mal Meninga, Chris Close, Brad Backer; Allan Smith, Greg Oliphant; Wally Lewis, Rod Reddy, Rohan Hancock, Arthur Beetson (c), John Lang, Rod Morris. Replacements: Norm Carr (not used), Bruce Astill (not used).
Coach: John McDonald
NSW: Graham Eadie; Chris Anderson, Steve Rogers, Mick Cronin, Greg Brentnall; Alan Thompson, Tom Raudonikis (c); Jim Leis, Graeme Wynn, Bob Cooper, Craig Young, Steve Edge, Gary Hambly. Replacements: Robert Stone, Steve Martin (not used).
Coach: Ted Glossop
Queensland 20 (Boustead, Close tries; Meninga 7 goals) def New South Wales 10 (Raudonikis, Brentnall tries; Cronin 2 goals).
Crowd: 33,210
Referee: Billy Thompson (Great Britain)
Man of the Match: Chris Close
*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.
