Results
Game 1
Friday 11 April
|
New South Wales 
|
38 – 10 |  Queensland
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Andrew Ettingshausen (3) Ken Nagas (2) Greg Alexander David Peachey Goals: Ryan Girdler (5/7) |
[1] |
Tries: Peter Ryan Wendell Sailor Goals: Mat Rogers (1/2) |
Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 26,731 Referee: Bill Harrigan Player of the Match: Greg Alexander |
Game 2
Friday 9 May
|
New Zealand 
|
12 – 26 | Queensland
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Stacey Jones John Timu Goals: Gene Ngamu (2/2) |
[2] |
Tries: Tonie Carroll Allan Langer Mat Rogers Kevin Walters Shane Webcke Goals: Mat Rogers (3/5) |
Ericsson Stadium, Auckland
Attendance: 18,000 Referee: Graham Annesley Player of the Match: Allan Langer |
Game 3
Wednesday 14 May
|
| New South Wales
|
20 – 15 | New Zealand
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Simon Gillies (2) Ken Nagas (2) Goals: Ryan Girdler (2/4) Laurie Daley (0/1) |
[3] |
Tries: Ruben Wiki (2) Goals: Stacey Jones (3/4) Field Goals: Gene Ngamu (1) |
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.[4]
Table
| Team | Played | Wins | Losses | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New South Wales | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 2 | Queensland | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 3 | New Zealand | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
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 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.
Monday 19 May
|
| New South Wales
|
23 – 22 (gp) | Queensland
|
|---|---|---|
| Tries: Brett Mullins (3) Matthew Ryan Goals: David Furner (3/4) Field Goals: Noel Goldthorpe (1) |
[5] |
Tries: Steve Renouf (2) Tonie Carroll Michael Hancock Goals: Mat Rogers (2/3) Darren Lockyer (1/2) |
