2006 State of Origin series

2006 State of Origin series
Won by	Queensland (11th title)
Series margin	2-1
Points scored	99
Attendance	180,074 (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)

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^[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] 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.^[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] 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^[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] Player of the Match: Brent Tate

Game III was held at Telstra Dome, Melbourne, and was the first decider played at a neutral venue.^[12] Queensland were trailing 14-4 with ten minutes remaining, 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
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

• 2006 NRL season

Footnotes

1. "Finch replaces Gower". Archived from the original on 7 January 2007. Retrieved 7 May 2007.
2. 2006 Game 1 Archived 18 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine at nrlstats.com
3. State Of Origin - Game 1, 2006 Archived 23 June 2010 at the Wayback Machine 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". Archived from the original on 11 June 2007. Retrieved 7 May 2007.
6. 2006 Game 2 Archived 18 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine at nrlstats.com
7. State Of Origin - Game 2, 2006 Archived 23 June 2010 at the Wayback Machine at stats.rleague.com
8. Hodges out in blow to Maroons
9. "Bell out of Origin decider". Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 7 May 2007.
10. 2006 Game 3 Archived 18 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine at nrlstats.com
11. State Of Origin - Game 3, 2006 Archived 23 June 2010 at the Wayback Machine at stats.rleague.com
12. Barrow, Tim (6 July 2011). "State of Origin: The deciders". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 7 July 2011.

External links

• State of Origin 2006 at rugbyleagueproject.org