2006 State of Origin series

The 2006 State of Origin series was the 25th year that the annual best-of-three series of interstate rugby league football matches between the Queensland and New South Wales representative teams was contested entirely under 'state of origin' selection rules. It was decided in three matches which drew a total attendance of 180,074. Queensland won the series 2-1, their first outright series victory since 2001 and the first in their record-breaking run of eight consecutive series wins. 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.

2006 State of Origin series
Won by Queensland (11th title)
Series margin2-1
Points scored99
Attendance180,074 (ave. 60,025 per match)
Player of the series Darren Lockyer
Top points scorer(s) Johnathan Thurston (14)
Top try scorer(s) Adam Mogg (3)

Game I

Craig Gower was originally picked for the New South Wales side at halfback but pulled out because of injury. Matt Orford was forced to turn down selection as cover for Gower, also because of injury. Both Andrew Johns and Trent Barrett turned down coming out of retirement to play in the fixture[1] so eventually Brett Finch was selected to start at halfback in jersey no. 20 for New South Wales as a last-minute inclusion.

The Queensland selectors picked a total of seven State of Origin debutants for game I.

Wednesday, 24 May 2006[2]
New South Wales 17–16 Queensland
Brett Finch (5 - 1t,1fg)
Brett Hodgson (4 - 2g)
Matt King (4 - 1t)
Willie Mason (4 - 1t)		 (Report) (8 - 2t) Greg Inglis
(4 - 1t) Steven Bell
(4 - 2g) Johnathan Thurston
Telstra Stadium, Sydney
Attendance: 72,773
Referee: Sean Hampstead[3]
Man of the Match: Willie Mason


Game I was played at Telstra Stadium, Sydney, and won by New South Wales 17-16, following a late field goal by NSW late-choice halfback, Brett Finch.[4]

Game II

For Queensland, Origin debutant Adam Mogg replaced the injured Greg Inglis[5]

Wednesday, 14 June 2006[6]
Queensland 30–6 New South Wales
Johnathan Thurston (10 - 5g)
Adam Mogg (8 - 2t)
Shaun Berrigan (4 - 1t)
Justin Hodges (4 - 1t)
Carl Webb (4 - 1t)		 (Report) (4 - 1t) Timana Tahu
(2 - 1g) Brett Hodgson
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Attendance: 52,468
Referee: Steve Clark[7]
Man of the Match: Darren Lockyer


In game II, Queensland levelled the series at home at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, with a commanding 30-6 victory.

Game III

Justin Hodges was ruled out of the Queensland side for game III after he re-tore his hamstring[8] and was replaced by Josh Hannay. Steven Bell was also ruled out after he sustained a fractured cheekbone in game II.[9]

After the heavy loss in game II the New South Wales selectors made five changes, bringing in Matt Cooper, Paul Gallen, Craig Gower, Luke O'Donnell and Ben Hornby as well as moving Matt King into the centres, Mark Gasnier to five-eighth and Luke Bailey into the starting side.

Wednesday, 5 July 2006[10]
New South Wales 14–16 Queensland
Eric Grothe, Jr. (8 - 2t)
Matt King (4 - 1t)
Brett Hodgson (2 - 1g)		 (Report) (4 - 1t) Darren Lockyer
(4 - 1t) Adam Mogg
(4 - 1t) Brent Tate
(4 - 2g) Clinton Schifcofske
Telstra Dome, Melbourne
Attendance: 54,833
Referee: Steven Clark[11]
Man of the Match: Brent Tate

Game III was held at Telstra Dome, Melbourne, and was the first decider played at a neutral venue.[12] Some controversial video referring decisions in the first ten minutes of the second half saw Queensland trailing 14-4 with ten minutes remaining. Queensland, however, scored two converted tries in the space of five minutes – first Brent Tate's long-range try after a line break from Thurston and then Lockyer intercepting a Hodgson pass inside New South Wales' own half – to take the match and series, winning 16-14.

New South Wales squad
Position Game 1 Game 2 Game 3
Fullback Brett Hodgson
Wing Matt King Timana Tahu
Centre Mark Gasnier Matt King
Centre Timana Tahu Matt Cooper
Wing Eric Grothe, Jr.
Five-Eighth Braith Anasta Mark Gasnier
Halfback Brett Finch Craig Gower
Prop Willie Mason
Hooker Danny Buderus (c)
Prop Brent Kite Luke Bailey
Second Row Steve Simpson
Second Row Nathan Hindmarsh
Lock Luke O'Donnell Andrew Ryan Luke O'Donnell
Interchange Craig Wing Paul Gallen
Interchange Steve Menzies
Interchange Mark O'Meley
Interchange Andrew Ryan Luke Bailey Ben Hornby
Coach Graham Murray

Queensland squad
Position Game 1 Game 2 Game 3
Fullback Matt Bowen Karmichael Hunt Clinton Schifcofske
Wing Steven Bell Rhys Wesser
Centre Justin Hodges Josh Hannay
Centre Brent Tate
Wing Greg Inglis Adam Mogg
Five-Eighth Darren Lockyer (c)
Halfback Johnathan Thurston
Prop Steve Price
Hooker Cameron Smith
Prop Petero Civoniceva
Second Row David Stagg Nate Myles
Second Row Matthew Scott Carl Webb
Lock Dallas Johnson
Interchange Shaun Berrigan
Interchange Carl Webb Chris Flannery
Interchange Sam Thaiday
Interchange Nate Myles Jacob Lillyman Tonie Carroll
Coach Mal Meninga

See also

Footnotes
  1. Finch replaces Gower
  2. 2006 Game 1 at nrlstats.com
  3. State Of Origin - Game 1, 2006 at stats.rleague.com
  4. foxsports.com.au (1 July 2008). "Classic State of Origin IIIs". Fox Sports. Australia: Premier Media Group. Retrieved 20 February 2011.
  5. Mogg gets Origin call-up
  6. 2006 Game 2 at nrlstats.com
  7. State Of Origin - Game 2, 2006 at stats.rleague.com
  8. Hodges out in blow to Maroons
  9. Bell out of Origin decider
  10. 2006 Game 3 at nrlstats.com
  11. State Of Origin - Game 3, 2006 at stats.rleague.com
  12. Barrow, Tim (6 July 2011). "State of Origin: The deciders". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
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