2023 State of Origin

What has been your favourite Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues State of Origin moment from the past 40 years?

Was it when Michael O’Connor kicked a conversion from the sideline in the pouring rain to break Queensland hearts in 1991? How about when Eighth Immortal Andrew ‘Joey’ Johns tore the Maroons to shreds in 2005? Or maybe it was even when coach Brad Fittler came out of Origin retirement in in 2004 to complete a fairy tale finish with a series win and the final try.

The NSWRL has compiled ‘NSW Blues Top 40 Moments’ to celebrate 40 years of State of Origin and with only 40 days to go from today until Game One of the 2020 State of Origin series at Adelaide Oval on Wednesday 4 November, where the players will wear a specially-designed jersey from 1997 to commemorate the occasion.

The first three moments will be released today on all NSW Blues social channels, including the NSW Blues Facebook page @nswblues, Instagram @nswblues and Twitter @NSWBlues, and fans will be able to tune in every week for plenty more as we count down to this year’s series.

The moments were selected and ordered by NRL historian David Middleton and NSWRL historian Terry Williams and the No.1 Moment of the past 40 years will be revealed just hours before the Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues run out on to Adelaide Oval to defend the Shield.

“State of Origin is the pinnacle of our game and there has been no shortage of highlights from NSW players over the past 40 years,” said NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden.

“It was an extremely enjoyable process to go back over every game since the concept first started in 1980 but also extremely difficult to limit NSW moments to only 40.

“I hope all Blues fans enjoy our selections, I encourage healthy debate about them and I think it will be the perfect lead-in as we aim to make it series three consecutive wins in 2020.

“I’m also looking forward to the reaction to our No.1 moment. It might catch some fans by surprise.”