For Origin to cement its launch into actuality, Qld had to win Origin Game 2. Down 15-0 after 20 minutes, it looked like it was doomed to vanish alongside other ‘one-off’ good ideas, that were unsustainable, to promote the game, with the notion that even with imports from Sydney, Qld will struggle to compete. Begging the question, “What’s all the fuss about?” What happened next answered the question and Origin took its firm footing in the subconscious of the rugby league public. An all-in brawl tipped the momentum back to the Maroons and a Wally Lewis solo try started the comeback. The newly-appointed 21-year-old captain showed his dazzling skill and the Emperor announced his arrival. Chris Close, Paul McCabe and Mal Meninga with their contributions got Qld the win. It was this fiery spectacle that started the process of thinking, “We actually might have something here.” It went form a ‘nothing’ game in NSW minds to, “Jeez, they’re fair dinkum.” It was decided that the 1982 series be played as the full Origin concept with a view to Australian team selection.