The Super League Tri-series was a rugby league competition contested in 1997 between representative teams from Queensland, New South Wales and New Zealand. It was held as an alternative to the Rugby League State of Origin that was contested in the same year between players from the Australian Rugby League competition only. New South Wales were overall winners of the series, defeating Queensland in the final.

Contents 1 Results 2 Statistics 2.1 Table 2.2 Try scorers 3 See also 4 References

[edit] 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.

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.

Match	Date	Result	Score	Ground	City	Crowd
1	11 April 1997	New South Wales def. Queensland	38-10	Sydney Football Stadium	Sydney	26,731
2	9 May 1997	Queensland def. New Zealand	26-12	Ericcson Stadium	Auckland	18,000
3	14 May 1997	New South Wales def. New Zealand	20-15	Bruce Stadium	Canberra	13,836
Final	19 May 1997	New South Wales def. Queensland	23-22	ANZ Stadium	Brisbane	35,570

[edit] Statistics

[edit] 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

[edit] Try scorers

Tries Scored	Player
4	Ken Nagas (NSW)
3	Andrew Ettingshausen (NSW), Brett Mullins (NSW), Tonie Carroll (Qld)
2	David Peachey (NSW), Greg Alexander (NSW), Simon Gillies (NSW), Ruben Wiki (NZ), Steve Renouf (Qld)
1	Shane Webcke (Qld), 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)

[edit] See also

• 1997 State of Origin series
• Super League (Australia)

[edit] References

• Complete Statistics and Players of the Super League Tri-Series

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