2006 State of Origin series

Australian interstate rugby league 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. TOC

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. 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.

PositionGame 1Game 2Game 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