pɹˈaɪɚ tə ɡˈeɪm wˈʌn ðɛɹwˌʌz ɡɹˈoʊɪŋ kənsˈɜːn ɐbˌaʊt ðə lˈɔŋ tˈɜːm fjˈuːtʃɚɹ ʌv stˈeɪt ʌv ˈɔːɹɪdʒˌɪn, mˈɛni kˈɑːməntˌeɪɾɚz wɜː bɪɡˈɪnɪŋ tə wˈʌndɚ ɪf kwˈiːnslənd wʊd ˈɛvɚ wˈɪn ɐnˈʌðɚ sˈɪɹiz ˈæftɚ θɹˈiː kənsˈɛkjuːtˌɪv nˈuː sˈaʊθ wˈeɪlz vˈɪktɚɹiz.
Prior to game one there was growing concern about the long term future of State of Origin, many commentators were beginning to wonder if Queensland would ever win another series after three consecutive New South Wales victories.