GAME ONE, 1988: ALF STEPS UP
1988. SFS. Allan Langer.
No King?
No worries.
Queensland halfback Allan Langer has a game for the ages, highlighted by two spectacular tries as Queensland – without skipper Wally Lewis – stun New South Wales 26-18 in 1988’s opening match.
“Alfie” first displays his guile by picking up a loose ball from an against-the-feed scrum win, fends off counterpart Peter Sterling and scores in the blind-side corner with amazing audacity.
His second try was full of Queensland spirit, as he grubbers the ball three times, beating six Blues defenders along the way to score a try only a Queenslander could manage.
New South Wales never recovered from the defeat with Queensland going on to a 3-0 series whitewash.
1988 Game 1, SFS, May 17
Queensland: Gary Belcher; Alan McIndoe, Tony Currie, Gene Miles, Joe Kilroy; Peter Jackson, Allan Langer; Paul Vautin (c), Bob Lindner, Wally Fullerton Smith, Sam Backo, Greg Conescu, Martin Bella. Replacements: Brett French, Scott Tronc.
Coach: Wayne Bennett
NSW: Jonathan Docking; Brian Johnston, Mark McGaw, Michael O’Connor, Andrew Ettingshausen; Cliff Lyons, Peter Sterling; Wayne Pearce (c), Noel Cleal, Steve Folkes, Steve Roach, Royce Simmons, Les Davidson. Replacements: Terry Lamb, David Trewhella.
Coach: John Peard
Queensland 26 (Langer 2, Jackson, McIndoe, Belcher tries; Belcher 3 goals) def New South Wales 18 (O’Connor, Ettingshausen, McGaw tries; O’Connor 3 goals).
Crowd: 26,441
Referee: Barry Gomersall
Man of the Match: Allan Langer
*This is our latest entry in our line of features highlighting the 100 Greatest Moments in Origin. You can watch more video highlights under 100 Origin Moments under our Origin tab.
