The Super League Tri-series was an international rugby league football tournament contested in 1997 between

Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , established_ ...

New South Wales ) , nickname = , image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , es ...

, and

New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 List of islands of New Zealand, smaller islands. It is the ...

representative rugby league teams. It was run by the breakaway

Super League The Super League (officially known as the Betfred Super League due to sponsorship from Betfred and legally known as Super League Europe), is the top-level of the British rugby league system. At present the league consists of twelve teams, of ...

organisation as an alternative to the Australian Rugby League's traditional State of Origin series, with each of the two series involving exclusively players contracted to clubs of their respective League. New South Wales were overall winners of the Tri-series, defeating Queensland in the final. New Zealand restricted their selections to players based in Australia and New Zealand and did not recognize the matches as international games.

Results

Game 1

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Game 2

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Game 3

---- 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.

Table

Final

The Tri-series final was held on 19 May 1997, and won by New South Wales, who defeated Queensland 23–22 at

ANZ Stadium ANZ may refer to: People * Anz (musician), a British DJ and electronic musician Banks * ANZ (bank), Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited, the fourth-largest bank in Australia ** ANZ Bank New Zealand, the largest bank in New Zealand ** ...

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. Despite the game being played in Brisbane, NSW were the home team as it was the Final of the series. ----

Squads

New South Wales

New Zealand

The side was coached by

Graeme Norton Graeme Norton is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer and coach. He became coach of the New Zealand national rugby league team in 1997. Initial career After a playing career with the Northcote Tigers, Norton became the Tige ...

and he served as a selector alongside Frank Endacott and Gary Kemble.

Queensland

Queensland were coached by Wayne Bennett.

Statistics

Try scorers

References

External links

Complete Statistics and Players of the Super League Tri-Series
at rugbyleagueproject.org {{DEFAULTSORT:Super League Tri-Series Super League 1997 in Australian rugby league 1997 in New Zealand rugby league