Cries of 1995 spur Maroons to gutsiest Perth win

The Advertiser

4 hours ago

Queensland have revealed how they channelled the spirit of 1995 in their State of Origin revival, shouting out references to it as defensive motivation in Perth.
Some 30 years on from Paul Vautin's famous victory while coaching the so-called 'Neville nobodies', the Maroons have made it a theme of their 2025 campaign.
Queensland players watched highlights from the Maroons' 3-0 whitewash on their first day in camp, and embraced the backs-to-the-wall aspect again in Perth.
Nowhere was that more typified than in the final minutes of Origin II, as it seemed almost inevitable that waves of Blues attack would complete a 20-point comeback.
According to prop Lindsay Collins, it was at that point Maroons players began yelling "1995" to each other, as they desperately tried to keep their line intact.
"It's been our whole camp," Collins told AAP.
"We watched the three games in the first day of camp one. We've had blocks in our training just called 1995.
"And every time we are down there in defence everyone is screaming out 1995, 1995.
"In defence when we know we have to be up on our line, everyone is talking 1995. They have been a big part of our series this year."
Collins said the Maroons had taken lessons from Queensland winning the opening game of that series 2-0, despite having their side ripped apart by the Super League war.
"It is powerful," Collins said.
"It's just a reminder, they turned up and that's what we've got to do. That's what we do when you wear this jersey.
"We had three minutes there to hang in there and defend for each other and fight.
"So it's a little tip of the cap to them, they've been a big part of this series so to do that for them, it was pretty cool."
New Queensland captain Cameron Munster also made reference to the 1995 spirit after the win, vowing to take it into the Sydney series decider on July 9.
If the Maroons were to win there, it is likely this series victory would sit alongside the famous resilient efforts of 1995 and 2020 given Queensland's game-one loss at home.
"We keep talking about it," Munster said.
"They won by two points in a couple of those games in the series, and we won by two tonight. It was that '95 mentality in defence.
"We've just got to keep working hard for each other. It's going to be a harder task going to Sydney, and we've got to be ready for it.
"We can't afford to be ambushed."
Queensland's 1995 captain Trevor Gillmeister, coach Paul Vautin and legend Billy Moore all spent Wednesday night at a function at Suncorp Stadium, watching the game on the big screen.
When told about the Maroons' 1995 catch call, he said: "All of the 1995 guys will be proud as punch to hear that.
"It's great that Cameron and Lindsay remember their past. I know Billy has been really big on history and reminding the guys what we achieved in 1995."
Queensland have revealed how they channelled the spirit of 1995 in their State of Origin revival, shouting out references to it as defensive motivation in Perth.
Some 30 years on from Paul Vautin's famous victory while coaching the so-called 'Neville nobodies', the Maroons have made it a theme of their 2025 campaign.
Queensland players watched highlights from the Maroons' 3-0 whitewash on their first day in camp, and embraced the backs-to-the-wall aspect again in Perth.
Nowhere was that more typified than in the final minutes of Origin II, as it seemed almost inevitable that waves of Blues attack would complete a 20-point comeback.
According to prop Lindsay Collins, it was at that point Maroons players began yelling "1995" to each other, as they desperately tried to keep their line intact.
"It's been our whole camp," Collins told AAP.
"We watched the three games in the first day of camp one. We've had blocks in our training just called 1995.
"And every time we are down there in defence everyone is screaming out 1995, 1995.
"In defence when we know we have to be up on our line, everyone is talking 1995. They have been a big part of our series this year."
Collins said the Maroons had taken lessons from Queensland winning the opening game of that series 2-0, despite having their side ripped apart by the Super League war.
"It is powerful," Collins said.
"It's just a reminder, they turned up and that's what we've got to do. That's what we do when you wear this jersey.
"We had three minutes there to hang in there and defend for each other and fight.
"So it's a little tip of the cap to them, they've been a big part of this series so to do that for them, it was pretty cool."
New Queensland captain Cameron Munster also made reference to the 1995 spirit after the win, vowing to take it into the Sydney series decider on July 9.
If the Maroons were to win there, it is likely this series victory would sit alongside the famous resilient efforts of 1995 and 2020 given Queensland's game-one loss at home.
"We keep talking about it," Munster said.
"They won by two points in a couple of those games in the series, and we won by two tonight. It was that '95 mentality in defence.
"We've just got to keep working hard for each other. It's going to be a harder task going to Sydney, and we've got to be ready for it.
"We can't afford to be ambushed."
Queensland's 1995 captain Trevor Gillmeister, coach Paul Vautin and legend Billy Moore all spent Wednesday night at a function at Suncorp Stadium, watching the game on the big screen.
When told about the Maroons' 1995 catch call, he said: "All of the 1995 guys will be proud as punch to hear that.
"It's great that Cameron and Lindsay remember their past. I know Billy has been really big on history and reminding the guys what we achieved in 1995."
Queensland have revealed how they channelled the spirit of 1995 in their State of Origin revival, shouting out references to it as defensive motivation in Perth.
Some 30 years on from Paul Vautin's famous victory while coaching the so-called 'Neville nobodies', the Maroons have made it a theme of their 2025 campaign.
Queensland players watched highlights from the Maroons' 3-0 whitewash on their first day in camp, and embraced the backs-to-the-wall aspect again in Perth.
Nowhere was that more typified than in the final minutes of Origin II, as it seemed almost inevitable that waves of Blues attack would complete a 20-point comeback.
According to prop Lindsay Collins, it was at that point Maroons players began yelling "1995" to each other, as they desperately tried to keep their line intact.
"It's been our whole camp," Collins told AAP.
"We watched the three games in the first day of camp one. We've had blocks in our training just called 1995.
"And every time we are down there in defence everyone is screaming out 1995, 1995.
"In defence when we know we have to be up on our line, everyone is talking 1995. They have been a big part of our series this year."
Collins said the Maroons had taken lessons from Queensland winning the opening game of that series 2-0, despite having their side ripped apart by the Super League war.
"It is powerful," Collins said.
"It's just a reminder, they turned up and that's what we've got to do. That's what we do when you wear this jersey.
"We had three minutes there to hang in there and defend for each other and fight.
"So it's a little tip of the cap to them, they've been a big part of this series so to do that for them, it was pretty cool."
New Queensland captain Cameron Munster also made reference to the 1995 spirit after the win, vowing to take it into the Sydney series decider on July 9.
If the Maroons were to win there, it is likely this series victory would sit alongside the famous resilient efforts of 1995 and 2020 given Queensland's game-one loss at home.
"We keep talking about it," Munster said.
"They won by two points in a couple of those games in the series, and we won by two tonight. It was that '95 mentality in defence.
"We've just got to keep working hard for each other. It's going to be a harder task going to Sydney, and we've got to be ready for it.
"We can't afford to be ambushed."
Queensland's 1995 captain Trevor Gillmeister, coach Paul Vautin and legend Billy Moore all spent Wednesday night at a function at Suncorp Stadium, watching the game on the big screen.
When told about the Maroons' 1995 catch call, he said: "All of the 1995 guys will be proud as punch to hear that.
"It's great that Cameron and Lindsay remember their past. I know Billy has been really big on history and reminding the guys what we achieved in 1995."