Game One of this year's Holden State of Origin Series marks the 100th clash between fierce rugby league rivals New South Wales and Queensland. To mark the occasion NRL.com is reliving 100 of the most iconic moments of the past 34 years of this compelling contest. Right through to Game Three on July 9, we'll publish videos of the Milestones, Superstars, Gamebreakers, Superplays, Heroes, Emotions and Controversy - all of the exciting elements that have made Origin the most-watched spectacle in rugby league. This week: Origin's Greatest Heroes.
27. Game 2, 2005: Andrew Johns returns to Origin
With the Blues losing the first match of the 2005 series 24-20, the Blues sent out an SOS to Andrew Johns. The future immortal had been plagues by back and knee injuries in his later career and in 2005, finally looking like putting together some game time and returning to peak form, was cruelly rubbed out by a broken jaw in a collision with Warriors fullback Jerome Ropati. He was touch and go for Game 2 in Sydney and when he did run out in his old sky blue No.7 jersey, it was his first competitive hit-out more than a month. But in the way only a player of Johns's class can, he turned in a match-winning performance in his side's 32-22 triumph, then backed it up in Game 3 as the Blues romped home 32-10 at Suncorp – their last series win for eight years and counting.