
Fantastic four take a coach ride to Origin comebacks
ARTHUR BEETSON (first series back - 1989: 3-0 win)
Legendary forward Beetson had been Queensland's coach in 1982, the first year Origin was played in the current three-match format, and returned after Wayne Bennett stepped down to focus on club commitments at Brisbane. Beetson helped the Maroons to consecutive 3-0 series whitewashes - the only time a team has achieved that feat two years running - as personnel changes from new NSW coach Jack Gibson failed to spark the Blues. At 19, Maroons winger Michael Hancock became the youngest ever Origin player to that point and scored in every game. Beetson's first game back - a 36-6 win - was also the Origin arena's biggest victory at the time.
WAYNE BENNETT (first series back - 1998: 2-1 win)
The only man to have had more than two stints coaching an Origin side, Bennett came back for the second of his four stays as Queensland coach in 1998. The first post-Super League series meant Brisbane players returned to the fold, with Darren Lockyer kicking a conversion after the siren to win the opener on Origin debut in Sydney. NSW would go on to win game two, before Bennett's Maroons sealed a series win with Allan Langer's late try in game three.
PHIL GOULD (first series back - 2002: 1-1-1 draw)
NSW's most iconic coach had led the Blues to a personal-best three consecutive series wins in the 1990s before his return in 2002. Danny Buderus and Braith Anasta were among eight game-one debutants, the second-most named by NSW for any game in the NRL era, as the young Blues romped in a 32-4 win. Lote Tuqiri's hat-trick of tries helped the Maroons level the series in game two, before an infamous game-three draw. Right second-rower Dane Carlaw scored in Queensland's final set in possession to even the ledger at 18-18 and allow defending champions the Maroons to retain the shield. Extra time was introduced for Origin matches from 2003.
RICKY STUART (first series back - 2011: 2-1 loss)
On return to the NSW hot seat, Stuart was charged with reinvigorating the Blues following a 3-0 series loss in 2010 - still the most recent whitewash. Despite the Maroons' unprecedented and subsequently unmatched dominance of Origin in this period, the 2011 series was much closer than the previous. It took a Billy Slater try in the final 10 minutes for the Maroons to win game one, with a late Blues comeback in game three not enough to steal the series.
ARTHUR BEETSON (first series back - 1989: 3-0 win)
Legendary forward Beetson had been Queensland's coach in 1982, the first year Origin was played in the current three-match format, and returned after Wayne Bennett stepped down to focus on club commitments at Brisbane. Beetson helped the Maroons to consecutive 3-0 series whitewashes - the only time a team has achieved that feat two years running - as personnel changes from new NSW coach Jack Gibson failed to spark the Blues. At 19, Maroons winger Michael Hancock became the youngest ever Origin player to that point and scored in every game. Beetson's first game back - a 36-6 win - was also the Origin arena's biggest victory at the time.
WAYNE BENNETT (first series back - 1998: 2-1 win)
The only man to have had more than two stints coaching an Origin side, Bennett came back for the second of his four stays as Queensland coach in 1998. The first post-Super League series meant Brisbane players returned to the fold, with Darren Lockyer kicking a conversion after the siren to win the opener on Origin debut in Sydney. NSW would go on to win game two, before Bennett's Maroons sealed a series win with Allan Langer's late try in game three.
PHIL GOULD (first series back - 2002: 1-1-1 draw)
NSW's most iconic coach had led the Blues to a personal-best three consecutive series wins in the 1990s before his return in 2002. Danny Buderus and Braith Anasta were among eight game-one debutants, the second-most named by NSW for any game in the NRL era, as the young Blues romped in a 32-4 win. Lote Tuqiri's hat-trick of tries helped the Maroons level the series in game two, before an infamous game-three draw. Right second-rower Dane Carlaw scored in Queensland's final set in possession to even the ledger at 18-18 and allow defending champions the Maroons to retain the shield. Extra time was introduced for Origin matches from 2003.
RICKY STUART (first series back - 2011: 2-1 loss)
On return to the NSW hot seat, Stuart was charged with reinvigorating the Blues following a 3-0 series loss in 2010 - still the most recent whitewash. Despite the Maroons' unprecedented and subsequently unmatched dominance of Origin in this period, the 2011 series was much closer than the previous. It took a Billy Slater try in the final 10 minutes for the Maroons to win game one, with a late Blues comeback in game three not enough to steal the series.
ARTHUR BEETSON (first series back - 1989: 3-0 win)
Legendary forward Beetson had been Queensland's coach in 1982, the first year Origin was played in the current three-match format, and returned after Wayne Bennett stepped down to focus on club commitments at Brisbane. Beetson helped the Maroons to consecutive 3-0 series whitewashes - the only time a team has achieved that feat two years running - as personnel changes from new NSW coach Jack Gibson failed to spark the Blues. At 19, Maroons winger Michael Hancock became the youngest ever Origin player to that point and scored in every game. Beetson's first game back - a 36-6 win - was also the Origin arena's biggest victory at the time.
WAYNE BENNETT (first series back - 1998: 2-1 win)
The only man to have had more than two stints coaching an Origin side, Bennett came back for the second of his four stays as Queensland coach in 1998. The first post-Super League series meant Brisbane players returned to the fold, with Darren Lockyer kicking a conversion after the siren to win the opener on Origin debut in Sydney. NSW would go on to win game two, before Bennett's Maroons sealed a series win with Allan Langer's late try in game three.
PHIL GOULD (first series back - 2002: 1-1-1 draw)
NSW's most iconic coach had led the Blues to a personal-best three consecutive series wins in the 1990s before his return in 2002. Danny Buderus and Braith Anasta were among eight game-one debutants, the second-most named by NSW for any game in the NRL era, as the young Blues romped in a 32-4 win. Lote Tuqiri's hat-trick of tries helped the Maroons level the series in game two, before an infamous game-three draw. Right second-rower Dane Carlaw scored in Queensland's final set in possession to even the ledger at 18-18 and allow defending champions the Maroons to retain the shield. Extra time was introduced for Origin matches from 2003.
RICKY STUART (first series back - 2011: 2-1 loss)
On return to the NSW hot seat, Stuart was charged with reinvigorating the Blues following a 3-0 series loss in 2010 - still the most recent whitewash. Despite the Maroons' unprecedented and subsequently unmatched dominance of Origin in this period, the 2011 series was much closer than the previous. It took a Billy Slater try in the final 10 minutes for the Maroons to win game one, with a late Blues comeback in game three not enough to steal the series.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Rampaging Rabbitoh realistic about Origin selection
South Sydney enforcer Keaon Koloamatangi is realistic about missing out on the NSW starting 17 after the dominant performance from the Blues' big men in Origin I. Despite the Rabbitohs forward having arguably the best month of his career - racking up over 200 run metres in each of his past four games - he didn't expect coach Laurie Daley to change his winning formula. An ACL tear to Warriors forward Mitch Barnett opened the door for a new forward in the NSW team, but Daley chose to elevate game one squad member Stefano Utoikamanu, with Koloamatangi coming onto the extended bench. "Obviously you want to be able to play and be in the 17, but everything happens for a reason," Koloamatangi told AAP. "The team would have been obviously unchanged because of the dominant win in game one, so I'm just happy to be here." The 27-year-old says he's eager to use the experience of the Blues' camp to learn off the likes of game-one hero Payne Haas. Koloamatangi played one game of Origin in 2022 and will use his NSW recall to soak up the confident atmosphere before game two in Perth next Wednesday. "You can always improve your game no matter how good you are," Koloamatangi said on Tuesday. "I'm just looking forward to being able to train with the boys and see what they're doing on a daily basis that people don't see." Another unlucky player on Daley's extended bench is 18th man Matt Burton, who will now miss Canterbury's game against Koloamatangi's Rabbitohs on Sunday. Burton is no stranger to the No.18 jersey, having filled the role several times for NSW in the past, and says preparing as a utility presents unique challenges. "Eighteenth man's a bit tricky, you don't know where you're going to get to come on," Burton told AAP. "It's just about me getting my reps during the week at different positions and go from there." Burton's club coach Cameron Ciraldo has been critical in the past of not being able to pick Origin 18th men for club duties, but his five-eighth insists his coach was full of good wishes for the experience. "(Ciraldo) was pumped for me to be back in this arena and around the group," Burton said. "We (the Bulldogs) obviously want players in this arena so he didn't say too much, just 'Enjoy the week'." South Sydney enforcer Keaon Koloamatangi is realistic about missing out on the NSW starting 17 after the dominant performance from the Blues' big men in Origin I. Despite the Rabbitohs forward having arguably the best month of his career - racking up over 200 run metres in each of his past four games - he didn't expect coach Laurie Daley to change his winning formula. An ACL tear to Warriors forward Mitch Barnett opened the door for a new forward in the NSW team, but Daley chose to elevate game one squad member Stefano Utoikamanu, with Koloamatangi coming onto the extended bench. "Obviously you want to be able to play and be in the 17, but everything happens for a reason," Koloamatangi told AAP. "The team would have been obviously unchanged because of the dominant win in game one, so I'm just happy to be here." The 27-year-old says he's eager to use the experience of the Blues' camp to learn off the likes of game-one hero Payne Haas. Koloamatangi played one game of Origin in 2022 and will use his NSW recall to soak up the confident atmosphere before game two in Perth next Wednesday. "You can always improve your game no matter how good you are," Koloamatangi said on Tuesday. "I'm just looking forward to being able to train with the boys and see what they're doing on a daily basis that people don't see." Another unlucky player on Daley's extended bench is 18th man Matt Burton, who will now miss Canterbury's game against Koloamatangi's Rabbitohs on Sunday. Burton is no stranger to the No.18 jersey, having filled the role several times for NSW in the past, and says preparing as a utility presents unique challenges. "Eighteenth man's a bit tricky, you don't know where you're going to get to come on," Burton told AAP. "It's just about me getting my reps during the week at different positions and go from there." Burton's club coach Cameron Ciraldo has been critical in the past of not being able to pick Origin 18th men for club duties, but his five-eighth insists his coach was full of good wishes for the experience. "(Ciraldo) was pumped for me to be back in this arena and around the group," Burton said. "We (the Bulldogs) obviously want players in this arena so he didn't say too much, just 'Enjoy the week'." South Sydney enforcer Keaon Koloamatangi is realistic about missing out on the NSW starting 17 after the dominant performance from the Blues' big men in Origin I. Despite the Rabbitohs forward having arguably the best month of his career - racking up over 200 run metres in each of his past four games - he didn't expect coach Laurie Daley to change his winning formula. An ACL tear to Warriors forward Mitch Barnett opened the door for a new forward in the NSW team, but Daley chose to elevate game one squad member Stefano Utoikamanu, with Koloamatangi coming onto the extended bench. "Obviously you want to be able to play and be in the 17, but everything happens for a reason," Koloamatangi told AAP. "The team would have been obviously unchanged because of the dominant win in game one, so I'm just happy to be here." The 27-year-old says he's eager to use the experience of the Blues' camp to learn off the likes of game-one hero Payne Haas. Koloamatangi played one game of Origin in 2022 and will use his NSW recall to soak up the confident atmosphere before game two in Perth next Wednesday. "You can always improve your game no matter how good you are," Koloamatangi said on Tuesday. "I'm just looking forward to being able to train with the boys and see what they're doing on a daily basis that people don't see." Another unlucky player on Daley's extended bench is 18th man Matt Burton, who will now miss Canterbury's game against Koloamatangi's Rabbitohs on Sunday. Burton is no stranger to the No.18 jersey, having filled the role several times for NSW in the past, and says preparing as a utility presents unique challenges. "Eighteenth man's a bit tricky, you don't know where you're going to get to come on," Burton told AAP. "It's just about me getting my reps during the week at different positions and go from there." Burton's club coach Cameron Ciraldo has been critical in the past of not being able to pick Origin 18th men for club duties, but his five-eighth insists his coach was full of good wishes for the experience. "(Ciraldo) was pumped for me to be back in this arena and around the group," Burton said. "We (the Bulldogs) obviously want players in this arena so he didn't say too much, just 'Enjoy the week'."

News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
AFL round 14 St Kilda v Western Bulldogs: Live updates, news and SuperCoach scores
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge has been talking to troubled forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and is hoping to have him back 'really soon' amid ongoing speculation about the former No. 1 draft pick's future. As Beveridge, who inked a new two-year contract extension this week, confirmed another young gun, Sam Darcy, would make his return against St Kilda just 52 days after suffering what looked a serious knee injury, the premiership-winning mentor said he'd been in talks with Ugle-Hagan during his time away from the Bulldogs. The 23-year-old hasn't played a game in 2025 and remains on leave from the club having previously been placed on a flexible training arrangement as he dealt with off-field issues. That prolonged absence, and varied reports that he had lost the trust of teammates, increased speculation Ugle-Hagan would have to resume his career at another club despite being contracted to the Bulldogs until the end of 2026. Beveridge, however, said Ugle-Hagan, who has spent time in a health retreat in northern NSW while continuing to put in serious training, was not lost to the Bulldogs and held out hope a football return could be looming. 'We're working through that. I've had some meetings with 'Marra',' Beveridge said on Wednesday. 'He's come back from a month of doing everything he can to sort of refocus and work out what's next in his life and the next steps, and the proposition of playing some football is there. 'Whether it's in the distance or whether it's a month-and-a-half away, I couldn't tell you. 'But we're hoping to have him back in it at the football club really soon and that's about all I can tell you.' Ugle-Hagan's comeback would also need AFL approval given he was placed under the league's mental health plan. The return of Darcy, however, is more clear cut, with the 21-year-old budding superstar having completed all necessary recovery to take his place against the Saints at Marvel Stadium in a massive boost to the 6-6 Bulldogs. Beveridge said Darcy could expect a 'bit of ruck time' to avoid upsetting a forward line that has continued to score in his absence, albeit not enough against Hawthorn last week. But it's his forward presence that could alter the Bulldogs game for the better. 'Sam is ready to go,' Beveridge said. 'He's done a really scrupulous and professional job on his rehabilitation form that injury. 'We'll blend a bit of ruck time in there to make sure he's involved in the game. 'But he's an enormous threat. We saw the way his season was evolving and his presence and early in the game last week Hawthorn took a lot of intercept marks and with Sam there, that's not going to happen. 'We'll still look to share the load, but Sam will be used when he's presenting.'

Sydney Morning Herald
2 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Important story to tell': Fittler discusses Kangaroos ambition as Johns offered selector role
Brad Fittler knows that the next Kangaroos coach is about to experience something unforgettable. 'What's lost in all of this, it's been a long time since we've seen a Great Britain jersey,' said Fittler, the leading candidate to replace outgoing Australian coach Mal Meninga. 'A lot of players are unaware of the significance of Kangaroo tours and the place they have held in the game for a long time. That's a big part of it. 'I know there's a lot of stuff going on with eligibility, and Origin is so important to the game. Once Origin is over, talking about Kangaroo tours and their significance in the game will be a pretty important story to tell.' Fittler recently met with NRL officials about his interest in the Australian job, with an official appointment likely to be made after the second State of Origin game. Eighth Immortal Andrew Johns has already been approached to join the Kangaroos selection panel as a replacement for NSW coach Laurie Daley, who sat on last year's panel alongside former Australian captains Darren Lockyer, Cameron Smith and Boyd Cordner. If Fittler gets the coaching gig, it would round out an incredible footballing curriculum vitae that includes two premierships – as well as glory at state and international level – as a player, plus coaching the Roosters and then NSW to series wins with the clipboard. Fittler's love affair with Kangaroos tours began when he became the youngest player ever, at just 18, to be selected for one, in 1994. He also toured England with the national team in 1994 and 2001, the latter campaign as captain. The famous at the end of the NRL season.