Origin I 2007 Flashback

With 15 hours or so left until the start of 2008 State of Origin series, Armchair Playmaker is excited. For those not familiar with the mid-season rugby league series, it's a best-of-three representative competition between Australia's New South Wales and Queensland states, with players' eligibility determined by the state in which they played their first senior rugby league rather than by where they play now. To get some idea of the intensity of the competition, consider that last year, Queensland's Dallas Johnson was knocked unconscious in the first minute, only to return to the field in the second half. (A great moment for sporting lore; not so much for sports medicine.)

As the first game of this year's series draws near, here's a look at the highlights of last year's edition. NSW Debutant Jarryd Hayne took a turn as both the hero and the goat, scoring a great individual try on the stroke of half time and then gifting one to the opposition with a brain explosion in the 61st minute. Easy come, easy go.