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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 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) |
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.
 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 |
Wednesday, 24 May 2006[2] |
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]
For Queensland, Origin debutant Adam Mogg replaced the injured Greg Inglis[5]
| 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 |
Wednesday, 14 June 2006[6] |
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.
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.
| 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 |
Wednesday, 5 July 2006[10] |
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
| 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
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