2006 State of Origin series

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.{{Rugbyleaguebox | bg = #eeeeee | date = Wednesday, 24 May 2006 | team1 = New South Wales [[Image:New South Wales colours.svg|16px]] | score = 17–16 | report = (Report) | team2 = [[Image:Queensland colours.svg|16px]] Queensland | points1 = Brett Finch (5 - 1t,1fg) Brett Hodgson (4 - 2g) Matt King (4 - 1t) Willie Mason (4 - 1t) | points2 = (8 - 2t) Greg Inglis (4 - 1t) Steven Bell (4 - 2g) Johnathan Thurston | stadium = Telstra Stadium, Sydney | attendance = 72,773 | referee= Sean Hampstead | manofmatch= 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.{{Cite news | access-date = 20 February 2011}}

Game II

For Queensland, Origin debutant Adam Mogg replaced the injured Greg Inglis bg = #eeeeee | date = Wednesday, 14 June 2006 | team1 = Queensland [[Image:Queensland colours.svg|16px]] | score = 30–6 | report = (Report) | team2 = [[Image:New South Wales colours.svg|16px]] New South Wales | points1 = Johnathan Thurston (10 - 5g) Adam Mogg (8 - 2t) Shaun Berrigan (4 - 1t) Justin Hodges (4 - 1t) Carl Webb (4 - 1t)| points2 = (4 - 1t) Timana Tahu (2 - 1g) Brett Hodgson | stadium = Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane | attendance = 52,468 | referee= Steve Clark | manofmatch= 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. bg = #eeeeee | date = Wednesday, 5 July 2006 | team1 = New South Wales [[Image:New South Wales colours.svg|16px]] | score = 14–16 | report = (Report) | team2 = [[Image:Queensland colours.svg|16px]] Queensland | points1 = Eric Grothe, Jr. (8 - 2t) Matt King (4 - 1t) Brett Hodgson (2 - 1g) | points2 = (4 - 1t) Darren Lockyer (4 - 1t) Adam Mogg (4 - 1t) Brent Tate (4 - 2g) Clinton Schifcofske | stadium = Telstra Dome, Melbourne | attendance = 54,833 | referee= Steven Clark | manofmatch= Brent Tate }}

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

Queensland squad

Footnotes

References

1. "''Finch replaces Gower''".
2. link. (18 March 2012 at ''nrlstats.com'')
3. [http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game76.html State Of Origin - Game 1, 2006] {{Webarchive. link. (23 June 2010 at ''stats.rleague.com'')
4. "''Mogg gets Origin call-up''".
5. link. (18 March 2012 at ''nrlstats.com'')
6. [http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game77.html State Of Origin - Game 2, 2006] {{Webarchive. link. (23 June 2010 at ''stats.rleague.com'')
7. [http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200606/s1671857.htm ''Hodges out in blow to Maroons'']
8. "''Bell out of Origin decider''".
9. link. (18 March 2012 at ''nrlstats.com'')
10. [http://stats.rleague.com/rl/soo/game78.html State Of Origin - Game 3, 2006] {{Webarchive. link. (23 June 2010 at ''stats.rleague.com'')
11. Barrow, Tim. (6 July 2011). "State of Origin: The deciders". [[The Sydney Morning Herald]].