The 1998 State of Origin series was the 17th annual best‑of‑three rugby league contest between the Queensland Maroons and the New South Wales Blues. The series took place across three matches in Australia’s main rugby league venues: Game 1 at the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre, Game 2 at the Sydney Football Stadium, and Game 3 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Series outcome
- New South Wales won the series 2–1, securing victories in Games 2 and 3 after a loss in Game 1.
- This marked New South Wales’ first series win since 1992.
Key matches
| Game | Date | Venue | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 22 May 1998 | Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre, Brisbane | Queensland | 24–16 |
| 2 | 19 June 1998 | Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney | New South Wales | 18–16 |
| 3 | 26 June 1998 | Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney | New South Wales | 30–0 |
Notable players and performances
- Queensland: Darren Smith (fullback) scored two tries in Game 1; Gorden Tallis was a dominant forward throughout the series.
- New South Wales: Brad Fittler captained the side and contributed significantly in the midfield; Andrew Johns, playing at halfback, was instrumental in the decisive victories of Games 2 and 3.
Coaching staff
- Queensland was coached by Wayne Bennett.
- New South Wales was coached by Chris Anderson.
Historical context
- The 1998 series was the first State of Origin contest following the resolution of the Super League war, which had split Australian rugby league competition in 1997. The reunified competition restored a traditional format and reinvigorated public interest.
- Attendance figures rose compared to the previous year, with a combined total of approximately 115,000 spectators across the three matches.
Legacy
- The series is remembered for New South Wales’ comprehensive 30–0 victory in Game 3, one of the most decisive margins in Origin history.
- The 1998 series contributed to the resurgence of State of Origin’s popularity and set the stage for the highly competitive encounters of the early 2000s.
