ONLY GAME, 1981: THE KING INSPIRES QUEENSLAND COMEBACK
1981. Lang Park. Wally Lewis.
Wally Lewis leads Queensland to an incredible comeback to turn a 15-0 deficit to an unlikely 22-15 triumph at the home of Origin, Lang Park.
With legendary skipper Arthur “Artie” Beetson injured and now coaching the team, Lewis takes charge with his try and ferocious determination proving too much for New South Wales to handle in front of the Queensland faithful.
This would be far from the last time the man revered as “the King” would torment the Blues and this triumph still holds a special place in Maroons folklore.
1981 Lang Park, July 28.
Queensland: Colin Scott; Brad Backer, Mal Meninga, Chris Close, Mitch Brennan; Wally Lewis (c), Ross Henrick, Chris Phelan, Paul McCabe, Rohan Hancock, Rod Morris, Greg Conescu, Paul Khan. Replacements: Norm Carr, Mark Murray.
Coach: Arthur Beetson
NSW: Phil Sigsworth; Terry Fahey, Mick Cronin, Steve Rogers (c), Eric Grothe; Terry Lamb, Peter Sterling; Ray Price, Les Boyd, Peter Tunks, Ron Hilditch, Barry Jensen, Steve Bowden. Replacements: Garry Dowling, Graham O’Grady (not used).
Coach: Ted Glossop
Queensland 22 (Backer, Close, Lewis, Meninga (penalty) tries; Meninga 5 goals) def New South Wales 15 (Grothe 2, Cronin tries; Cronin 3 goals).
Crowd: 25,613
Referee: Kevin Steele (New Zealand)
Man of the Match: Chris Close
