| 2003 State of Origin series | |
|---|---|
| Won by |  New South Wales (10th title) |
| Series margin | 2-1 |
| Points scored | 110 |
| Attendance | 183,682 (ave. 61,227 per match) |
| Top points scorer(s) | Andrew Johns (22) |
| Top try scorer(s) | Anthony Minichiello (3)Timana Tahu (3) Matt Sing (3) |
The2003 State of Origin series was the 22nd year that theannual three-game series betweenQueensland andNew South Wales was contested entirely under 'state of origin' selection rules. Queensland's return to a renovatedLang Park was soured whenAndrew Johns returned to form for New South Wales in devastating fashion.
Arnold Schwarzenegger appeared in television promotions for the 2003 series.[1][2] Blues coachPhil Gould sparked controversy before the series had even started when he slammed the form of his champion half-back Johns in hisSun-Herald column. Gould claimed that Johns had lost his "self-confidence" in an attack that caused outrage from all corners, including Johns himself, who had words with Gould at a pre-Origin briefing. But in the end it was psychology that worked, as 2003 was Johns' best ever series performance.
Wednesday, 11 June 2003 |
| Queensland | 12–25 | New South Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Darren Lockyer (8 - 1t,2g) Gorden Tallis (4 -1t) | (Report) | (13 - 1t,4g,1fg)Andrew Johns (8 - 2t)Anthony Minichiello (4 -1t)Craig Wing |
In Game I, Andrew Johns spoiled what was supposed to be a party time for the Queenslanders, who returned to their spiritual home ofSuncorp Stadium formerly known asLang Park. The ground was quickly nicknamed the "Sand Pit" as its sandy surface was constantly shifting under the feet of players. Both Maroons centresJustin Hodges andPaul Bowman, were taken from the field with serious knee injuries which were later blamed on the shifting surface.
The Blues pack led by interchange propLuke Bailey, hammered their Maroons counterparts and gave Johns plenty of room to weave his magic. Johns contributed 13 points to the tally whileAnthony Minichiello scored a try double.
Wednesday, 25 June 2003 |
| New South Wales | 27–4 | Queensland |
|---|---|---|
| (8 - 2t)Timana Tahu (7 - 3g,1fg)Andrew Johns (4 - 1t)Ben Kennedy (4 - 1t)Matthew Gidley (4 - 1t)Anthony Minichiello | (Report) | Michael Crocker (4- 1t) |
The series was virtually decided by half-time of game II after the Blues raced to a 17–0 lead. Johns was again the catalyst starting the scoring with a brilliant banana kick that rebounded off the cross bar, went through the hands ofMichael De Vere and fell to the ground beforeBen Kennedy pounced.
There was no greater example of the brilliant halfback's influence than the last minute before the break. Johns kicked for touch from a 20-metre restart, then after winning the ensuing scrum, hoisted a bomb high into the air which was contested before being batted back into his hands. Without a second thought and while on the run, he potted a 25-metre field goal with ease.
The final score was 27–4 to the Blues who remained unbeaten from seven matches on their home turf ofTelstra Stadium.
Wednesday, 16 July 2003 |
| Queensland | 36–6 | New South Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Matt Sing (12 - 3t) Brent Tate (8 - 2t) Josh Hannay (8 - 4g) Cameron Smith (4 - 1t) Michael Crocker (4- 1t) | (Report) | (4- 1t)Timana Tahu (2 - 1g)Andrew Johns |
Game III, a "dead rubber", restored some much needed pride for the Maroons who dominated the Blues in every facet of the game. WingerMatt Sing was superb, scoring three tries in a man-of-the match performance.
Queensland started with a new-found zest and led 16-0 after just 17 minutes before strangling the Blues out of the contest. Johns was forced to accept the shield in front of an almost empty stadium after Queensland had completed a lap of honour. It was an anticlimactic end to what had been the gifted number seven's best ever series. Queensland'sdead rubber win equalled their biggest ever State of Origin victory, which was first equalled in 1989, and then again in2008, before it was broken in thethird game of the 2015 series.
A total of twelve players from the2003 Brisbane Broncos season were selected to play in the series, making them the most heavily represented club. A total of nine players from the2003 Sydney Roosters season were selected to play in the series, making them the second most heavily represented club.
| Position | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fullback |  Anthony Minichiello | |||||
| Wing |  Timana Tahu | |||||
| Centre | Matt Gidley | |||||
| Centre |  Jamie Lyon | |||||
| Wing |  Michael De Vere | |||||
| Five-Eighth |  Shaun Timmins | |||||
| Halfback | Andrew Johns (c) | |||||
| Prop |  Robbie Kearns | |||||
| Hooker | Danny Buderus | |||||
| Prop | Jason Ryles | |||||
| Second Row | Craig Fitzgibbon |  Bryan Fletcher | ||||
| Second Row | Ben Kennedy | Luke Ricketson | ||||
| Lock | Luke Ricketson |  Braith Anasta | ||||
| Interchange | Luke Bailey | |||||
| Interchange |  Phil Bailey | |||||
| Interchange | Craig Wing | |||||
| Interchange | Josh Perry | Bryan Fletcher | Willie Mason | |||
| Coach | Phil Gould | |||||
| Position | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fullback | Darren Lockyer | |||||
| Wing | Shannon Hegarty | |||||
| Centre | Brent Tate | |||||
| Centre | Justin Hodges | Tonie Carroll |  Josh Hannay | |||
| Wing | Matt Sing | |||||
| Five-Eighth | Ben Ikin | |||||
| Halfback | Shaun Berrigan | |||||
| Prop | Shane Webcke | |||||
| Hooker |  PJ Marsh | Michael Crocker | Cameron Smith | |||
| Prop | Petero Civoniceva | Steve Price | Petero Civoniceva | |||
| Second Row | Gorden Tallis (c) | |||||
| Second Row | Dane Carlaw | Petero Civoniceva | Dane Carlaw | |||
| Lock | Tonie Carroll | Travis Norton | Tonie Carroll | |||
| Interchange | Steve Price | Dane Carlaw | Steve Price | |||
| Interchange | Chris Flannery | Andrew Gee | Travis Norton | |||
| Interchange | Paul Bowman |  Scott Sattler | Michael Crocker | |||
| Interchange | Andrew Gee | Matt Bowen | ||||
| Coach | Wayne Bennett | |||||