View source for 2006 State of Origin series

{{Short description|Australian rugby league series}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox State of Origin series
 | year = 2006
 <!-- Commented out: | image = 2006_State_of_Origin_logo.PNG -->
 | count = 11th
 | imagesize = 150px
 | caption = 
 | winners = [[Image:Queensland colours.svg|16px]] [[Queensland state rugby league team|Queensland]]
 | margin = 2-1
 | points = 99
 | attendance = 180074
 | player of series= {{leagueicon|Queensland|16}} [[Darren Lockyer]]
 | top points scorer =  [[Image:Queensland colours.svg|16px]] [[Johnathan Thurston]] (14)
 | top try scorer =   [[Image:Queensland colours.svg|16px]] [[Adam Mogg]] (3)
}}
The '''2006 State of Origin series''' was the 25th year that the [[State of Origin series|annual best-of-three series]] of interstate [[rugby league]] football matches between the [[Queensland rugby league team|Queensland]] and [[New South Wales rugby league team|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__ 
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==Game I==
[[Craig Gower]] was originally picked for the New South Wales side at [[Rugby league positions#Scrum-half|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<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rleague.com/db/article.php?id=25312 |title=''Finch replaces Gower'' |access-date=7 May 2007 |archive-date=7 January 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070107070506/http://www.rleague.com/db/article.php?id=25312 |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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 [[Rugby League State of Origin|State of Origin]] debutants for game I.{{Rugbyleaguebox |
bg = #eeeeee |
date = Wednesday, 24 May 2006<ref>[http://www.nrlstats.com/origin/match.cfm?MatchID=11218 2006 Game 1] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318214607/http://www.nrlstats.com/origin/match.cfm?MatchID=11218 |date=18 March 2012 }} at ''nrlstats.com''</ref> |
team1 = [[New South Wales rugby league team|New South Wales]] [[Image:New South Wales colours.svg|16px]] |
score = 17–16 |
report = [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/international_and_australian/4772131.stm (Report)] |
team2 = [[Image:Queensland colours.svg|16px]] [[Queensland State of Origin Team|Queensland]] |
points1 = [[Brett Finch]] ('''5''' - 1t,1fg) <br />[[Brett Hodgson]] ('''4''' - 2g) <br />[[Matt King (rugby player)|Matt King]] ('''4''' - 1t)<br />[[Willie Mason]] ('''4''' - 1t) |
points2 = ('''8''' - 2t) [[Greg Inglis]] <br /> ('''4''' - 1t) [[Steven Bell]] <br />('''4''' - 2g) [[Johnathan Thurston]] |
stadium = [[Telstra Stadium]], [[Sydney]] |
attendance = 72,773 |
referee= Sean Hampstead<ref>[http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game76.html State Of Origin - Game 1, 2006] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100623084800/http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game76.html |date=23 June 2010 }} at ''stats.rleague.com''</ref> |
manofmatch= [[Willie Mason]]}}
<br/>
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]].<ref>{{Cite news 
  | last = foxsports.com.au
  | title = Classic State of Origin IIIs
  | work = [[Fox Sports (Australia)|Fox Sports]]
  | place = Australia
  | publisher = Premier Media Group
  | date = 1 July 2008
  | url = http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/classic-state-of-origin-iiis/story-e6frf3yc-1111116792141
  | access-date = 20 February 2011}}</ref>

==Game II==
For Queensland, Origin debutant [[Adam Mogg]] replaced the injured [[Greg Inglis]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rleague.com/db/player/m/mogg_adam/index.php |title=''Mogg gets Origin call-up'' |access-date=7 May 2007 |archive-date=11 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070611141226/http://www.rleague.com/db/player/m/mogg_adam/index.php |url-status=dead }}</ref>
{{Rugbyleaguebox |
bg = #eeeeee |
date = Wednesday, 14 June 2006<ref>[http://www.nrlstats.com/origin/match.cfm?MatchID=11219 2006 Game 2] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318214619/http://www.nrlstats.com/origin/match.cfm?MatchID=11219 |date=18 March 2012 }} at ''nrlstats.com''</ref> |
team1 = [[Queensland State of Origin Team|Queensland]] [[Image:Queensland colours.svg|16px]] |
score = 30–6 |
report = [http://www.rleague.com/db/article.php?id=25579 (Report)] |
team2 = [[Image:New South Wales colours.svg|16px]] [[New South Wales rugby league team|New South Wales]] |
points1 = [[Johnathan Thurston]] ('''10''' - 5g) <br />[[Adam Mogg]] ('''8''' - 2t)<br />[[Shaun Berrigan]] ('''4''' - 1t) <br />[[Justin Hodges]] ('''4''' - 1t)<br />[[Carl Webb]] ('''4''' - 1t)|
points2 = ('''4''' - 1t) [[Timana Tahu]]<br />('''2''' - 1g) [[Brett Hodgson]] |
stadium = [[Suncorp Stadium]], [[Brisbane]] |
attendance = 52,468 |
referee= Steve Clark<ref>[http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game77.html State Of Origin - Game 2, 2006] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100623085125/http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game77.html |date=23 June 2010 }} at ''stats.rleague.com''</ref> |
manofmatch= [[Darren Lockyer]] }}
<br/>
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<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200606/s1671857.htm ''Hodges out in blow to Maroons'']</ref> and was replaced by [[Josh Hannay]]. [[Steven Bell]] was also ruled out after he sustained a fractured cheekbone in game II.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rleague.com/db/article.php?id=25585 |title=''Bell out of Origin decider'' |access-date=7 May 2007 |archive-date=30 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930230030/http://www.rleague.com/db/article.php?id=25585 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

After the heavy loss in game II the New South Wales selectors made five changes, bringing in [[Matt Cooper (rugby league footballer)|Matt Cooper]], [[Paul Gallen]], [[Craig Gower]], [[Luke O'Donnell]] and [[Ben Hornby]] as well as moving [[Matt King (rugby player)|Matt King]] into the [[Rugby league positions#Centre|centres]], [[Mark Gasnier]] to [[Rugby league positions#Stand-off|five-eighth]] and [[Luke Bailey (rugby league)|Luke Bailey]] into the starting side.
{{Rugbyleaguebox |
bg = #eeeeee |
date = Wednesday, 5 July 2006<ref>[http://www.nrlstats.com/origin/match.cfm?MatchID=11220 2006 Game 3] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318214633/http://www.nrlstats.com/origin/match.cfm?MatchID=11220 |date=18 March 2012 }} at ''nrlstats.com''</ref> |
team1 = [[New South Wales rugby league team|New South Wales]] [[Image:New South Wales colours.svg|16px]] |
score = 14–16 |
report = [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/international_and_australian/5116072.stm (Report)] |
team2 = [[Image:Queensland colours.svg|16px]] [[Queensland State of Origin Team|Queensland]] |
points1 = [[Eric Grothe, Jr.]] ('''8''' - 2t)<br />[[Matt King (rugby player)|Matt King]] ('''4''' - 1t)<br />[[Brett Hodgson]] ('''2''' - 1g) |
points2 = ('''4''' - 1t) [[Darren Lockyer]]<br />('''4''' - 1t) [[Adam Mogg]]<br /> ('''4''' - 1t) [[Brent Tate]]<br />('''4''' - 2g) [[Clinton Schifcofske]] |
stadium = [[Telstra Dome]], [[Melbourne]] |
attendance = 54,833 |
referee= Steven Clark<ref>[http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game78.html State Of Origin - Game 3, 2006] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100623084805/http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game78.html |date=23 June 2010 }} at ''stats.rleague.com''</ref> |
manofmatch= [[Brent Tate]] }}

Game III was held at [[Telstra Dome]], [[Melbourne]], and was the first decider played at a neutral venue.<ref>{{cite news|last=Barrow|first=Tim|title=State of Origin: The deciders|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/state-of-origin-the-deciders-20110705-1h0sq.html|access-date=7 July 2011|newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=6 July 2011}}</ref> 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==
{| class="wikitable"
!width="150"|Position
!width="150"|Game 1
!width="150"|Game 2
!width="150"|Game 3 
|-
! Fullback
| colspan="3" | {{leagueicon|Wests Tigers|16}}  [[Brett Hodgson]]
|-
! Wing
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} [[Matt King (rugby player)|Matt King]]
| colspan="1" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} [[Timana Tahu]]
|-
! Centre
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|St George Illawarra|16}} [[Mark Gasnier]]
| colspan="1" | {{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} [[Matt King (rugby player)|Matt King]]
|-
! Centre
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} [[Timana Tahu]]
| colspan="1" | {{leagueicon|St George Illawarra|16}} [[Matt Cooper (rugby league)|Matt Cooper]]
|-
! Wing
| colspan="3" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} [[Eric Grothe, Jr.]]
|-
! Five-Eighth
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Sydney Roosters|16}} [[Braith Anasta]]
| colspan="1" | {{leagueicon|St George Illawarra|16}} [[Mark Gasnier]]
|-
! Halfback
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Sydney Roosters|16}} [[Brett Finch]]
| colspan="1" | {{leagueicon|Penrith|16}} [[Craig Gower]]
|-
! Prop
| colspan="3" | {{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} [[Willie Mason]]
|-
! Hooker
| colspan="3" | {{leagueicon|Newcastle|16}} [[Danny Buderus]] (c)
|-
! Prop
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Manly|16}} [[Brent Kite]]
| colspan="1" | {{leagueicon|St George Illawarra|16}} [[Luke Bailey (rugby league)|Luke Bailey]]
|-
! Second Row
| colspan="3" | {{leagueicon|Newcastle|16}} [[Steve Simpson (rugby league)|Steve Simpson]]
|-
! Second Row
| colspan="3" | {{leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} [[Nathan Hindmarsh]]
|-
! Lock
| colspan="1" | {{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} [[Luke O'Donnell]]
| colspan="1" | {{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} [[Andrew Ryan (rugby player)|Andrew Ryan]]
| colspan="1" | {{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} [[Luke O'Donnell]]
|-
! Interchange
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Sydney Roosters|16}} [[Craig Wing]]
| colspan="1" | {{leagueicon|Cronulla|16}} [[Paul Gallen]]
|-
! Interchange
| colspan="3" | {{leagueicon|Manly|16}} [[Steve Menzies]]
|-
! Interchange
| colspan="3" | {{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} [[Mark O'Meley]]
|-
! Interchange
| colspan="1" | {{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} [[Andrew Ryan (rugby player)|Andrew Ryan]]
| colspan="1" | {{leagueicon|St George Illawarra|16}} [[Luke Bailey (rugby league)|Luke Bailey]]
| colspan="1" | {{leagueicon|St George Illawarra|16}} [[Ben Hornby]]
|-
! Coach
| colspan="3" | {{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} [[Graham Murray]]
|-
|}

==Queensland squad==
{| class="wikitable"
!width="150"|Position
!width="150"|Game 1
!width="150"|Game 2
!width="150"|Game 3 
|-
! Fullback
| colspan="1" | {{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} [[Matt Bowen]]
| colspan="1" | {{leagueicon|Brisbane|16}} [[Karmichael Hunt]]
| colspan="1" | {{leagueicon|Canberra|16}} [[Clinton Schifcofske]]
|-
! Wing
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Manly|16}} [[Steven Bell]]
| colspan="1" | {{leagueicon|Penrith|16}} [[Rhys Wesser]]
|-
! Centre
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Brisbane|16}} [[Justin Hodges]]
| colspan="1" | {{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} [[Josh Hannay]]
|-
! Centre
| colspan="3" | {{leagueicon|Brisbane|16}} [[Brent Tate]]
|-
! Wing
| colspan="1" | {{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} [[Greg Inglis]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Canberra|16}} [[Adam Mogg]]
|-
! Five-Eighth
| colspan="3" | {{leagueicon|Brisbane|16}} [[Darren Lockyer]] (c)
|-
! Halfback
| colspan="3" | {{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} [[Johnathan Thurston]]
|-
! Prop
| colspan="3" | {{leagueicon|New Zealand Warriors old|16}} [[Steve Price (rugby league)|Steve Price]]
|-
! Hooker
| colspan="3" | {{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} [[Cameron Smith (rugby league, born 1983)|Cameron Smith]] 
|-
! Prop
| colspan="3" | {{leagueicon|Brisbane|16}} [[Petero Civoniceva]]
|-
! Second Row
| colspan="1" | {{leagueicon|Brisbane|16}} [[David Stagg]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} [[Nate Myles]]
|-
! Second Row
| colspan="1" | {{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} [[Matthew Scott (rugby league)|Matthew Scott]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} [[Carl Webb]]
|-
! Lock
| colspan="3" | {{leagueicon|Melbourne|16}} [[Dallas Johnson]]
|-
! Interchange
| colspan="3" | {{leagueicon|Brisbane|16}} [[Shaun Berrigan]]
|-
! Interchange
| colspan="1" | {{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} [[Carl Webb]]
| colspan="2" | {{leagueicon|Sydney Roosters|16}} [[Chris Flannery (rugby league)|Chris Flannery]]
|-
! Interchange
| colspan="3" | {{leagueicon|Brisbane|16}} [[Sam Thaiday]]
|-
! Interchange
| colspan="1" | {{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} [[Nate Myles]]
| colspan="1" | {{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} [[Jacob Lillyman]]
| colspan="1" | {{leagueicon|Brisbane|16}} [[Tonie Carroll]]
|-
! Coach
| colspan="3" | {{leagueicon|Queensland|16}} [[Mal Meninga]]
|-
|}

==See also==
*[[2006 NRL season]]

==Footnotes==
{{Reflist|40em}}

==External links==
*[http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/competitions/State_Of_Origin_2006/summary.html State of Origin 2006] at ''rugbyleagueproject.org''

{{State of Origin}}
{{2006 in rugby league}}

[[Category:State of Origin series]]
[[Category:2006 in Australian rugby league|State of Origin series]]