For just the second time in State of Origin history two Warriors players will go head-to-head when Queensland and New South Wales collide in tonight’s series-deciding contest at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane (8.00pm kick-off local time; 10.00pm NZT).
And, as it happens, the circumstances and the venue are identical – game three of the 2015 series was also the decider with Suncorp Stadium the stage.
The Maroons had won game one 11-10 in Sydney while the Blues triumphed 30-18 in the second battle in Melbourne.
On July 8, 2015, it was all on the line in front of a fanatical crowd of 52,000 plus, Warriors Jacob Lillyman and Ryan Hoffman facing off again as they did throughout that series.
Hoffman became the first Warriors player to represent New South Wales, starting in the second row in all three matches, while front rower Lillyman was on the interchange for Queensland.
It would be a night to savour for Lillyman and one to forget for Hoffman in what would be his 14th and last Origin match.
He lasted just 22 minutes before being forced off with a calf injury while Queensland turned on a rampant display winning 52-6.
Flashback: Maroons v Blues in 2015 Origin decider
Lillyman was outstanding in his 32-minute stint off the bench making 137 metres from 13 runs with five tackle breaks and eight tackles without a miss. He also copped a high shot flush on the jaw from James Tamou – who then finished him off on the ground – which was put on report only (when it would likely have been a send-off today).
Queensland boasted a cast of legends with Greg Inglis at fullback, Darius Boyd on the wing, Justin Hodges in the centres, Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk in the halves, Cameron Smith at hooker with Matt Scott, Nate Myles and Sam Thaiday in the starting pack.
Now nine years later on July 17, 2024, it will be Warrior v Warrior again with Capewell starting his 11th Origin match for Queensland and Barnett named to make his debut from the bench New South Wales.
The Maroons won 38-10 in Sydney before the Blues levelled it up 1-1 with an emphatic 38-18 victory in Melbourne.
Capewell became the Warriors' seventh Origin representative when he was brought into the Queensland side in Melbourne. Now Barnett will be the eighth after being in the extended squad for Origin I in Sydney and then 18th man in Melbourne.
