2005 State of Origin series

2005 State of Origin series
Won by	New South Wales (12th title)
Series margin	2-1
Points scored	140
Attendance	187,309 (ave. 62,436 per match)
Top points scorer(s)	Cameron Smith (18)
Top try scorer(s)	Matt Bowen Matt King (3)

The 2005 State of Origin series saw the 24th time that the annual three-game series between the Queensland and New South Wales representative rugby league football teams was contested entirely under 'state of origin' selection rules. The three matches drew a total attendance of 187,309 and New South Wales won the series 2-1, their third consecutive series victory.

The Wally Lewis Medal for Player of the series was awarded to New South Wales' fullback, Anthony Minichiello. The Ron McAuliffe Medal for Queensland player of the series was awarded to Cameron Smith. The Brad Fittler Medal for New South Wales player of the series was awarded to Matt King.

Game I

New South Wales brought Ricky Stuart in to coach against Michael Hagan, the two having previously faced each other as opposing halves in the opening game of the 1990 State of Origin series.

20:00 25 May

Queensland	24–20	New South Wales
Cameron Smith (10 - 5g) Matt Bowen (4 - 1t) Michael Crocker (4 - 1t) Ty Williams (4 - 1t) Darren Lockyer (1 - 1fg) Johnathan Thurston (1 - 1fg)	(Report)	(4 - 1t) Danny Buderus (8 - 1t, 2g) Craig Fitzgibbon (4 - 1t) Mark Gasnier (4 - 1t) Luke Rooney

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: 52,484 Referee/s: Paul Simpkins Man of the Match: Steve Price

After fifty minutes, Queensland had raced away to a 19-0 lead. However New South Wales, under new coach Ricky Stuart made a strong comeback, bringing the score to 20-19 in their favour. A field goal from Johnathan Thurston saw the game go into Golden Point extra time. Brett Kimmorley, playing halfback in place of an injured Andrew Johns threw a pass intended for Matt King, but was instead intercepted by Matt Bowen, who snatched a 24-20 victory for the Maroons.

Game II

20:00 15 June

New South Wales	32–22	Queensland
Anthony Minichiello (8 - 2t) Craig Fitzgibbon (6 - 3g) Andrew Johns (6 - 3g) Danny Buderus (4 - 1t) Matt Cooper (4 - 1t) Steven Menzies (4 - 1t)	(Report)	(6 - 3g) Cameron Smith (4 - 1t) Matt Bowen (4 - 1t) Petero Civoniceva (4 - 1t) Billy Slater (4 - 1t) Brad Thorn

Telstra Stadium, Sydney Attendance: 82,389 Referee/s: Steven Clark Man of the Match: Andrew Johns

Andrew Johns made his comeback for Game II with a man-of-the-match performance after having made his first NRL reappearance from injury just ten days earlier.

Game III

Queensland's decision to drop Billy Slater in favour of Matt Bowen led to outrage amongst Maroons fans.

20:00 6 July

Queensland	10–32	New South Wales
Matt Bowen (4 - 1t) Johnathan Thurston (4 - 1t) Cameron Smith (2 - 1g)	(Report)	(12 - 3t) Matt King (6 - 3g) Andrew Johns (4 - 1t) Braith Anasta (4 - 1t) Mark Gasnier (4 - 1t) Timana Tahu (2 - 1g) Craig Fitzgibbon

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Attendance: 52,496 Referee/s: Paul Simpkins Man of the Match: Anthony Minichiello

After 25 years the 2005 decider was the 75th game between the two sides, with 36 wins for each side. The crowd of 52,496 people at Suncorp Stadium was a record for the ground at the time. After an hour New South Wales had raced away to a 32-0 lead and late tries to Queensland proved too little too late. Matt King became only the 9th player (and 4th New South Welshman) to score a hat-trick in State of Origin.

New South Wales squad

Position	Game 1		Game 2		Game 3
Fullback	Anthony Minichiello
Wing	Matt King
Centre	File:St. George Illawarra colours.svg Mark Gasnier
Centre	File:St. George Illawarra colours.svg Matt Cooper
Wing	Luke Rooney				Timana Tahu
Five-Eighth	File:St. George Illawarra colours.svg Trent Barrett		Braith Anasta
Halfback	Brett Kimmorley		Andrew Johns
Prop	File:St. George Illawarra colours.svg Luke Bailey		Steve Simpson		File:St. George Illawarra colours.svg Luke Bailey
Hooker	Danny Buderus (c)
Prop	File:St. George Illawarra colours.svg Jason Ryles
Second Row	Nathan Hindmarsh
Second Row	Craig Fitzgibbon
Lock	Ben Kennedy
Interchange	Craig Wing				Craig Gower
Interchange	Steve Simpson		Steve Menzies
Interchange	Anthony Watmough		File:St. George Illawarra colours.svg Luke Bailey		Steve Simpson
Interchange	Andrew Ryan
Coach	Ricky Stuart

Queensland squad

Position	Game 1		Game 2		Game 3
Fullback	Billy Slater				File:North Queensland colours.svg Matt Bowen
Wing	File:North Queensland colours.svg Ty Williams
Centre	Shaun Berrigan
Centre	File:North Queensland colours.svg Paul Bowman
Wing	File:North Queensland colours.svg Matt Sing
Five-Eighth	Darren Lockyer (c)
Halfback	File:North Queensland colours.svg Johnathan Thurston
Prop	Steve Price		Brad Thorn		Danny Nutley
Hooker	Cameron Smith
Prop	Petero Civoniceva
Second Row	Michael Crocker
Second Row	Brad Thorn		File:North Queensland colours.svg Carl Webb		Brad Thorn
Lock	Chris Flannery
Interchange	Ben Ross
Interchange	File:North Queensland colours.svg Carl Webb		Dane Carlaw		Corey Parker
Interchange	Casey McGuire				Ashley Harrison
Interchange	File:North Queensland colours.svg Matt Bowen				Tonie Carroll
Coach	Michael Hagan

See also

• 2005 NRL season

External links

• State of Origin 2005 at rugbyleagueproject.org