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 Superplays.
48. 1981: Queensland come from 15–0 down to win 22–15.
With the first two interstate games played under the old residential selection rules NSW had powered to predictable wins at Lang Park and Leichhardt Oval, but Queensland turned the tables in the third encounter through one of the greatest come from behind wins in ruby league's history. The Blues' Parramatta connection of Peter Sterling, Ray Price, Mick Cronin and Eric Grothe ran rampant in the first half with two tries to Grothe and another to Cronin pushing NSW out to a 15-0 advantage just prior to halftime, but a try to winger Brad Backer jagged back a bit of momentum for the Maroons heading into the break. Upon the resumption a 21-year-old Wally Lewis, leading his state for the first time, instigated a stunning four-try revival that gave Queensland a remarkable win and cemented the State of Origin concept's place on the rugby league calendar.