2006 State of Origin series
# 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.

## 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 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

| 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 Player 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.

## Game II

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

* Wednesday, 14 June 2006

| 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 Player 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 and was replaced by Josh Hannay. Steven Bell was also ruled out after he sustained a fractured cheekbone in game II.

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

| 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 Player of the Match: Brent Tate

Game III was held at Telstra Dome, Melbourne, and was the first decider played at a neutral venue. 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.

* The Wally Lewis Medal for player of the series was awarded to Darren Lockyer
* The Ron McAuliffe Medal for Queensland player of the series was awarded to Darren Lockyer

## New South Wales squad

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

## Queensland squad

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