:: State of Origin :: Stage of Origin ::

The 2005 State of Origin series was promoted as the contests' 25th celebration, but it's best remembered as the resurrection of Andrew Johns. Two years after his last Origin appearance, the Cessnock-born Novocastrian was a shock selection for Game Two at Stadium Australia, barely a fortnight after making his comeback against Brisbane at EnergyAustralia Stadium on June 5. Replacing Trent Barrett, who succumbed to a quadricep injury; Johns, through his incisive kicking game and combination with Sydney Roosters fullback Anthony Minichiello and fellow Newcastle Knight Danny Buderus, orchestrated NSW from a one-nil deficit to a 2-1 victory, winning Game Two 32-22 and Game Three 32-10. Not only was it the first time the Blues had recovered from a game down since 1994 (when they bounced back from Mark Coyne’s “miracle” try at the SFS to record wins in Melbourne and ruin Mal Meninga’s farewell at Suncorp Stadium), but snared their first series hatrick (2003-05) since ’94, ironically the last series debutant coach Ricky Stuart played in.

For Queensland, however, it was a disappointing series. After rebuilding from their annus horribilis in 2000, (which included the 2002 series win, which many believed was the catalyst for Golden Point) the northerners crashed back to earth. While their win in Game One was dramatic; in reality, Queensland should have won comfortably. With half-an-hour to go, they lead 19-0, and only a Johnathan Thurston field goal pushed the game into overtime. The series loss was felt most by Michael Hagan, in the midst of a horror run for Newcastle. He was eventually replaced by Mal Meninga for the 2006 series.

The historical 25th celebratory series started on May 25, in front of over 52,000 fans at Suncorp Stadium. The home side had justification to be optimistic, their side brimming with in-form Broncos and Cowboys. After spending the previous season at Canterbury, Thurston would make his Origin debut partnering Darren Lockyer in the halves. NSW, who’d lost five of their past six at Suncorp, would be represented by half Brett Kimmorley, in slashing form for Cronulla, and pivot Trent Barrett. After two Cameron Smith penalty goals, Ty Williams scored Queensland’s opening try after twenty minutes, , touching down after the ball had ricocheted off Billy Slater’s knee. A third Smith penalty goal and a Lockyer field goal sent the home side to the sheds 13-0 up. Queensland had dominated NSW upfront, with Carl Webb inciting a fight with Luke Bailey, which doused the visitors’ main scoring opportunity. The overpowered NSW pack was criticised for only having two specialist props (Luke Bailey, Jason Ryles), the first time since 1998. When Mick Crocker scored to augment the lead to nineteen, it looked game, set, and match Queensland. But NSW stormed back with tries to Luke Rooney (53rd), Mark Gasnier (61st), Craig Fitzgibbon (69th), and captain Danny Buderus (71st), the benefit of a possible forward pass from Matt King, vaulted NSW to a 20-19 lead, as the Blues' class and creative ballwork shone through, although missed conversions by Kimmorley and Fitzgibbon would prove vital.

After Thurston’s field goal sent the game into Golden Point, Matt Bowen wrote himself into Origin folklore by intercepting a Kimmorley pass to give Queensland victory. NSW were devastated, and Kimmorley, perhaps unfairly, was made the scapegoat. Had the pass reached his intended target Matt King, Johns’ comeback may never have eventuated. Craig Fitzgibbon could hold his head high though, with a gargantuan 59 tackles.

Three weeks later, the Origin carnival rolled on to Sydney’s Telstra Stadium. With Kimmorley and Barrett gone, Canterbury’s Braith Anasta would partner Johns in the halves. Some doubted if Johns had been selected prematurely. But he silenced all critics by having a hand in each of NSW’s five tries in their 32-22 win. The scoreline didn’t accurately translate the Blues’ dominance; with a late try to Petero Civinoceva bridging the margin somewhat.

Johns’ impact was immediate, launching a 55-metre downfield kick, which bounced fortuitously off the upright padding for Minichiello to score after fifteen minutes. He was also active at first receiver, feeding off dummy-half Buderus. NSW, however, squandered their dominant position, committing seven first-half errors through impatient football. Queensland made them pay through tries to Brad Thorn and Billy Slater, earning the visitors a 12-8 half-time lead. After weathering early Maroon pressure post-resumption, including a controversial no-try to Williams, NSW, like a seasoned Shakespearian actor suffering momentary stage fright, clicked into gear. A 40/20 from Johns began the sky blue wave, with Minichiello scoring a few tackles later. From there, tries to Steve Menzies (48th) and Matt Cooper (59th) gave the Blues a seemingly insurmountable 26-12 advantage. A Matt Bowen try resuscitated hopes of another Queensland comeback, but Danny Buderus' try inside the final five minutes sent the series back to Suncorp at 1-1.

Queensland received a major body blow for the July 7 decider when Carl Webb pulled out, replaced by Cronulla's Danny Nutley. Webb's aggression would be missed, and would put a dent in North Queensland’s NRL Premiership hopes. Queensland also had to overcome the hurdle of not winning a decider at Lang Park/Suncorp since 1991, Wally Lewis’ farewell match. Conversely, NSW's only injury scare was a toe injury to Danny Buderus, but he recovered in time. Craig Gower would warm the bench in place of a hamstrung Craig Wing. Fellow benchman would start in favour of Luke Bailey.

Queensland threw everything at NSW early on, stringing together five consecutive sets, but Minichiello saved NSW by fielding a Lockyer kick and running to within fifteen metres of Queensland’s goal line. After a penalty goal, NSW opened their try-scoring ledger in the 21st minute through Anasta, the beneficiary of Johns’ masterful passing game; the Novocastrian fooling the Maroon defence with a ‘double-pump’ pass.

A Johns cross-kick, taken by Gasnier, and Matt King’s first try of three for the night, saw NSW flash to a 18-0 half-time lead, an almost mirror-reversal of Game One. Two more tries to King, and one to Timana Tahu, subbing for Luke Rooney, expanded NSW’s lead to 32-0 after 63 minutes. At this stage, NSW looked like eclipsing their biggest Origin win (56-16, Stadium Australia, Game Three, 2000) and their biggest margin (40 points, Game Three, 2000).

But Queensland, who’d built a legend around their never-say-die attitude, performed some scoreboard surgery with late tries to Thurston and Bowen, bringing the final score to 32-10 in NSW’s favour.

With the series NSW’s for the twelfth time in Origin history, Anthony Minichiello was awarded the Wally Lewis Medal for player of the series as well as Game Three man-of-the-match, despite Johns’ dominance.

It was fitting that the 25th celebratory series contained so many highlights, from Queensland’s heart-in-mouth Golden Point win, to the return of Johns. The milestone series contained the requisite cast of heroes (Fitzgibbon, Minichiello, Thurston, Bowen) and villains (Kimmorley).