Super League Tri-series

The Super League Tri-series was an international rugby league football tournament contested in 1997 between Queensland, New South Wales, and New Zealand representative rugby league teams. It was run by the breakaway Super League organisation as an alternative to the Australian Rugby League's traditional State of Origin series, with each of the two series involving exclusively players contracted to clubs of their respective League. New South Wales were overall winners of the Tri-series, defeating Queensland in the final.

New Zealand restricted their selections to players based in Australia and New Zealand and did not recognize the matches as international games.

Results

After New South Wales defeated Queensland on 11 April 1997 it was possible for New Zealand to make the final if they defeated New South Wales. This commercially disastrous final looked like becoming a reality when New Zealand winger Sean Hoppe scored a try in the dying minutes of the 14 May match against New South Wales, but the try was controversially disallowed.[1]

Table

Team Played Wins Losses Points
1 New South Wales 2 2 0 4
2 Queensland 2 1 1 2
3 New Zealand 2 0 2 0

Final

The Tri-series final was held on 19 May 1997, and won by New South Wales, who defeated Queensland 23-22 at ANZ Stadium in the longest-ever game of first class rugby league. After 80 minutes, the scores were locked at 18-18, and a further 20 minutes were played. At the end of this time, the scores were 22-22, and Queensland captain Allan Langer is said to have asked the referee, "Should we toss a coin to see who wins?" The game then moved into golden point extra time, and after 104 minutes, Noel Goldthorpe kicked a field goal for New South Wales, and won the match.

Squads

New South Wales

Position Game 1
(versus Qld) 		Game 2
(versus NZ) 		Game 3
(versus Qld)
Fullback David Peachey
Wing Ken Nagas
Centre Andrew Ettingshausen
Centre Ryan Girdler Matthew Ryan
Wing Matthew Ryan Brett Mullins
Five-Eighth Laurie Daley (c)
Halfback Greg Alexander Noel Goldthorpe
Prop Glenn Lazarus
Hooker Craig Gower Luke Priddis Craig Gower
Prop Rodney Howe Ian Roberts
Second Row Sean Ryan David Furner
Second Row Simon Gillies
Lock David Furner Bradley Clyde
Interchange Matt Adamson Danny Lee Robbie Kearns
Interchange Solomon Haumono
Interchange Robbie Ross Scott Wilson Robbie Ross
Interchange Noel Goldthorpe Matthew Ryan Luke Priddis

New Zealand

The side was coached by Graeme Norton and he served as a selector alongside Frank Endacott and Gary Kemble. The squad for the two matches was Anthony Swann, Sean Hoppe, Tea Ropati, Ruben Wiki, Richie Barnett, Gene Ngamu, Stacey Jones, Quentin Pongia, Syd Eru, Joe Vagana, Tony Iro, captain Stephen Kearney, Tawera Nikau, John Timu, Brady Malam, Tyran Smith and Marc Ellis.

Queensland

Queensland were coached by Wayne Bennett.

Position Game 1
(versus NSW)		 Game 2
(versus NZ)		 Game 3
(versus NSW)
Fullback Julian O'Neill Darren Lockyer
Wing Mat Rogers
Centre Steve Renouf Darren Smith Steve Renouf
Centre Geoff Bell Tonie Carroll
Wing Wendell Sailor
Five-Eighth Kevin Walters
Halfback Allan Langer (c)
Prop Brad Thorn
Hooker Steve Walters
Prop Andrew Gee Craig Greenhill Owen Cunningham
Second Row Owen Cunningham Peter Ryan
Second Row Gorden Tallis
Lock Darren Smith Peter Ryan Darren Smith
Interchange Peter Ryan Michael Hancock
Interchange Chris McKenna Kevin Campion
Interchange Paul Green
Interchange Shane Webcke

Statistics

Try scorers

Tries Scored Player
4 Ken Nagas (NSW)
3 Andrew Ettingshausen (NSW), Brett Mullins (NSW), Tonie Carroll (Qld)
2 David Peachey (NSW), Simon Gillies (NSW), Ruben Wiki (NZ), Steve Renouf (Qld)
1 Shane Webcke (Qld), Greg Alexander (NSW), Kevin Walters (Qld), Allan Langer (Qld), Mat Rogers (Qld), Stacey Jones (NZ), Wendell Sailor (Qld), Gene Ngamu (NZ), Peter Ryan (Qld), Michael Hancock (Qld), Matthew Ryan (NSW), John Timu (NZ)

See also

References

  1. ↑ Mascord, Steve (14 May 1997). "Try, try and try again, but Kiwis denied by ref". The Sydney Morning Herald. Australia: Fairfax. p. 50. Retrieved 3 May 2010.
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