Maroons must overcome 15-year
hoodoo to retain trophy

Queensland will have to overcome a 15-year Origin hoodoo to win this year's State of Origin series.

That's how long it's been since the Maroons came from 1-0 down to win rugby league's Holy Grail. Queensland will also have to overcome a woeful record of five losses and a draw in six matches at Telstra Stadium, where the Blues have outscored the Maroons on average 24 points to 11.

Since Origin switched to a best-of-three-series in 1982, the state winning the first game has captured the title 16 times with two of those series - in 1999 and 2002 - ending in controversial draws.

Coming from 1-0 down has only been achieved three times, twice by Queensland, in 1982 and 1987, and by the Blues in 1994.