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Queensland pays tribute to 1995 ‘Neville Nobodies' team with jersey detail in State of Origin classic
Queensland used the inspiration of the famous 1995 'Neville Nobodies' team to win a two-point instant classic over New South Wales on Wednesday night.
Coming off a thumping in game one and expected to go down again in Perth's game two, the Maroons invoked the 'mentality' of the ultimate underdogs, with '1995' even printed on the right sleeve of their jersey.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Origin legends break down key moments from game two.
The 1995 Queensland team was dubbed the Neville Nobodies when pundits at the time declared they had no star power and little chance of winning, particularly with so many debutants.
Despite their inexperience, the underestimated Maroons achieved a stunning 3-0 series whitewash, which included a two-point win and two eight-point wins.
That series was preceded by three successive NSW wins, and followed by another two.
Speaking on-field moments after the game, Maroons skipper Cameron Munster said the Nobodies were a big part of their motivation and build-up for the game, which they won 26-24.
'We had a really good first half. Second half we just shot ourselves in the foot — you can't afford to give a team like that so much ball,' he told Nine.
'But we had that mentality, like the '95 Nobodies team and just kept working and turning up for each other and we ended up getting the chocolates.
'But in game three, we need to be a lot better in certain positions and we can't afford to give them piggy backs.'
Munster, who was leading Queensland for the first time in his 20th Origin match, said his side embraced being underestimated, just as the '95 team was.
'It's just a pleasure playing with these boys,' he said.
'I know we didn't deliver in game one, but I felt like our preparation was really good and we built it on that in game two.
'I love playing with this group. It was a never-say-die attitude tonight; our back was against the wall and that's what we love about it. Queenslanders love being underdogs and we still are.'
The Queensland No.6 again referenced the 1995 team later in the post-match press conference.
'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.'
