Flashback: Maroons v Blues in 2015 Origin decider
Highlights from the series-deciding third State of Origin battle between Queensland and New South Wales at Suncorp Stadium.
The New Zealand Warriors honour the mana of the Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa, Australia and the Pacific. We acknowledge the traditional kaitiaki of the lands, elders past and present, their stories, their traditions, their mamae and their mana motuhake.
Warrior v Warrior in Origin
For just the second time in State of Origin history two Warriors players will go head-to-head when Queensland and New South Wales collide in tonight’s series-deciding contest at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane (8.00pm kick-off local time; 10.00pm NZT).
And, as it happens, the circumstances and the venue are identical – game three of the 2015 series was also the decider with Suncorp Stadium the stage.
The Maroons had won game one 11-10 in Sydney while the Blues triumphed 30-18 in the second battle in Melbourne.
On July 8, 2015, it was all on the line in front of a fanatical crowd of 52,000 plus, Warriors Jacob Lillyman and Ryan Hoffman facing off again as they did throughout that series.
Hoffman became the first Warriors player to represent New South Wales, starting in the second row in all three matches, while front rower Lillyman was on the interchange for Queensland.
It would be a night to savour for Lillyman and one to forget for Hoffman in what would be his 14th and last Origin match.
He lasted just 22 minutes before being forced off with a calf injury while Queensland turned on a rampant display winning 52-6.