Queensland Maroons: 3 Dominant Eras In State Of Origin

The Queensland rugby league squad, known as the "Maroons" after the color of their shirt, competes for three times a year in the State of Origin series against archrival New South Wales. Managed by the Queensland Rugby League. It is led by Daly Cherry-Evans as captain and coached by Billy Slater. All of their home games are played at Lang Park in Brisbane (now known as Suncorp Stadium). Here are 3 dominant eras of Queensland Maroons in the State Of Origin.

1980 - 1984: Brilliant Opening Period Of Queensland Maroons

Qld vs NSW State of Origin 1984

In the first State of Origin game, played in 1980, Queensland Maroons team stunned everyone by defeating New South Wales 20-10. Although Kerry Boustead scored Queensland's opening try, Arthur Beetson and Chris Close were the stars for Queensland. It happened again in 1981 after the new State of Origin laws were put into effect.

Legendary captain Arthur Beetson was set to play in 1981 but was sidelined by an injury; as a result, he took over as the team's coach and served in that capacity for the following three years. With the Blues leading 15-0, it appeared as though New South Wales would continue to dominate State of Origin. However, Queensland staged an incredible comeback to overcome the Blues 22-15, with youthful skipper Wally Lewis and Chris Close being the standout players. Rugby league officials used this game as motivation to decide that 1982 would have two State of Origin games and, if necessary, a deciding.

All three games of the interstate series were played utilizing "origin" selection rules for the first time in 1982. Game One of the State of Origin series was won by New South Wales. However, despite this, Queensland went on to win games two and three, with Mal Meninga, Rod Morris, and captain Wally Lewis serving as Queensland's series heroes. The following year, Wally Lewis was Queensland's savior as New South Wales won the opening game, but Queensland dominated the first and the decider to win the series.

The Queensland team traveled to Papua New Guinea and England at the conclusion of the 1983 seasons in Queensland and NSW. They played three games during their trip to Great Britain. The first match against Hull Kingston Rovers ended in an 8-6 loss, but the Wally Lewis-led Maroons went on to handily defeat Wigan (40-2) and Leeds in their subsequent games (58–2).

With Kerry Boustead and Wally Lewis as its headliners, Queensland Maroons team won the first two games of the 1984 series before New South Wales triumphed in the finale.

1987 - 1989: Continued Success

Queensland Maroons 1989

In an effort to avenge their earlier loss to New South Wales in 1987, Queensland managed to win the final two games, earning Wayne Bennett his first series victory. Queensland Maroons team won their first series since 1984, thanks to Allan Langer's debut in the 1987 series. Langer went on to play 34 games for Queensland. Queensland failed to succeed in the exhibition match's fourth game in the United States in 1987. In 1987, The Maroons also performed in New Zealand.

When Brisbane Broncos and Gold Coast were added as Queensland-based clubs for the first-grade tournament in 1988, Queensland's talent pool increased. Allan Langer and Wally Lewis's dominating halves combo in 1988 and 1989 helped them dominate both series, winning all 6 games and preventing New South Wales from triumphing. While returning coach Arthur Beetson won the 1989 series, Wayne Bennett won the 1988 series. A record-breaking twelve Queenslanders were therefore chosen to tour with the Australian national squad in 1989.

2006 - 2013: Golden Age Of Queensland Maroons With 8 Consecutive Years Of Winning

Mal Meninga, a former star player for Queensland, took over as coach in 2006. In Game One against a strong New South Wales team, he took a significant gamble by starting 7 rookies. This was evident in the first thirty minutes of play, during which errors were made, and New South Wales dominated the scoreboard. A second-half comeback wasn't enough to secure the victory; New South Wales won 17-16 thanks to a field goal by halfback and last-minute Blues substitution Brett Finch. The New South Wales media criticized coach Meninga and captain Darren Lockyer harshly as a result. But in the second game, a motivated Queensland team easily defeated New South Wales 30-6. After several contentious refereeing decisions in the third and final game, the Queensland Maroons team found themselves down 14-4 with 9 minutes left. However, a spectacular comeback led by Brent Tate and Johnathan Thurston and an interception attempt by Lockyer allowed them to win the game and the series.

For the first time in a long time, Queensland was the bookmakers' favorite team in 2007. At the half, Queensland trailed 18-6 but scored 19 unanswered points to win the first game by a score of 25-18. Queensland ultimately won the series after taking the second game 10-6. At Telstra Stadium, this was Queensland's first victory in 12 tries.

In 2008, Queensland lost the opening game in Sydney 18-10 because they played the entire series without Darren Lockyer. In contrast, Queensland regained its form in the rematch, winning 30-0, matching their largest victory in history. The championship game was held at Telstra Stadium once more, and Queensland, which had trailed 10-8 at the half before rallying to win 16-10, handed New South Wales its third straight series loss.

Dominant Eras of Queensland Maroons in State Of Origin

A record-equaling 10 Queensland representatives, including an all-maroon backline and front row, played in the mid-season test against the Kiwis in 2009.

The Maroons won four straight Origin series in 2009, becoming the first team to accomplish this feat. They were also named sporting team of the year at the Queensland Sports Awards in December.

In 2010, the Maroons won their fifth straight series, becoming the only side in history to do so. They also swept the games with a 3-0 scoreline, a feat Queensland hadn't completed since 1995. Man of the Series was awarded to Billy Slater.

The Maroons became the first team to ever accomplish so in 2011 after winning their sixth straight series. The series was also won 2-1 in front of a record-breaking home crowd at Suncorp Stadium, winning game III 34-24. Additionally, this was Darren Lockyer's final State of Origin contest. Both Man of the Match and Series honors went to Cameron Smith.

At Suncorp Stadium in 2012, Queensland Maroons team won game III 21-20 on a field goal in front of a largely Maroon crowd, clinching their seventh straight series victory. The final score was partially owed to Petero Civoniceva's retirement. Nate Myles received the Man of the Series award, while Johnathon Thurston received the Man of the Match honor.

In 2013, Queensland won the series once more, for the eighth time in a row, with a 12-10 victory in the third game at ANZ Stadium in Sydney. Man of the Match honors went to Brent Tate.

QLD Maroons Changed Their Logo In 2021

QLD Maroons old logo

QLD Maroons new logo

With the unveiling of a modern logo today, Queensland Rugby League began a new era for the QLD Maroons.

The striking shield design, which incorporates the essential components of the previous five QLD Maroons logos, is meant to inspire future generations while also paying homage to Queensland's rich past by including the iconic Kangaroo Q symbol from 1980.

The dramatic tagline "same tradition, new generation" supports a highly charged video that shows the brand's evolution.

The QRL Maroons logo was recently unveiled, and today's publication adds to the anticipation as fans count down to the start of the 2021 State of Origin series on June 9.

The change in branding follows a stellar run for the Maroons, who inspired supporters all around the state with victories in both the men's and women's series.

Along with the triumph on the field, 2020 will be recognized for its historical significance, with the QRL spearheading the 40 years of Origin festivities and supporters enthusiastically embracing both the throwback to the 1980 emblem on the shirt and the off-field clothing.

Robert Moore, the managing director of QRL, declared that the moment was excellent for Queenslanders.

Projects like these serve to highlight how unique rugby league is to Queenslanders, according to Moore.

"That passion was evident in the series-deciding game played this year in front of close to 50,000 spectators. The new playing uniform will boldly display this design the next time this squad enters Suncorp Stadium."

"Most importantly, it stands for the rugby league's founders and the privilege of representing Queensland at the greatest level."

"Thorough investigation and testing of the new logo concepts helped to determine the significance of the 1980 logo. Through this process, it became clear that the QLD Maroons' future branding should include this historical logo," according to Moore.

The new QLD Maroons logo will unify the state's premier men's and women's teams for State of Origin in 2021 and into the future by giving them the same identity.

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