2010 State of Origin series
Encyclopedia
The 2010 State of Origin
series was the 29th year that the annual best-of-three series of interstate rugby league football matches contested between the Queensland
and New South Wales
representative teams was played under 'State of Origin' selection rules. In a world first, the Nine Network
broadcasted free-to-air
for the first match in 3D
to the Sydney
, Newcastle
, Wollongong
, Brisbane
, Perth
, Adelaide
and Melbourne
areas. Part-way through the series it became steeped in controversy, firstly for Israel Folau
's announcement of his defection to the AFL and subsequent non-selection by Queensland, and secondly by New South Wales' Andrew Johns
-Timana Tahu
racial slur controversy. Ultimately, Queensland won all three matches, completing their first series white-wash since 1995 to claim their 19th State of Origin title and increase their dominance to an unprecedented five series wins in succession. Queensland fullback Billy Slater
was awarded the Wally Lewis Medal as Player of the Series.
, who was included as Queensland's hooker due to Cameron Smith
's failure to recover from an elbow injury suffered in the 2010 ANZAC Test
, Dave Taylor
and Cooper Cronk
were selected to make their debuts for the Maroons.
Jamal Idris
and Brett Morris
were New South Wales' only rookies.
Prior to kick-off Australia's national anthem was performed by Sam Moran
on a rainy night at ANZ Stadium. There were plenty of handling errors in the wet conditions and New South Wales were dominating field position early in the match. In the seventh minute their lock forward Anthony Watmough
put a bomb up near Queensland's try-line which the Maroons' defence failed to secure. Jarryd Hayne
was there to dive on it and the Blues had their first try. Jamie Lyon
kicked the extras so the score was 6-0. After more dropped ball Queensland then had an opportunity in good field position. In the fifteenth minute their halfback Johnathan Thurston
took on the New South Wales defensive line before throwing a one-handed pass over the top of the defence to Darius Boyd
to score untouched out on the wing. Thurston's conversion was successful so it was 6-6. The score remained level until the twenty-eighth minute when the Blues were awarded a dubious penalty for a Maroons offside infringement and Lyon kicked it successfully, giving his side an 8-6 lead. About five minutes later, Queensland had made it to within fifteen metres of New South Wales' line when Thurston chipped the ball ahead for fullback Billy Slater
to pick up and dive over the line with. The Maroons halfback kicked the extras so the score was 8-12 and remained unchanged for the remaining five minutes of the first half.
Queensland scored first in the second half when, attacking close to the Blues' line, prop David Shillington
was able to stand in a tackle and offload to Maroons captain Darren Lockyer
who raced through to get a try. Thurston missed the conversion so the score remained 8-16 in favour of Queensland. Just before the fifty-minute mark, Lyon chipped the ball over the Maroons' defence for Hayne to race ahead and regather in the open space of Queensland's half. However Hayne instantly threw a speculative no-look pass to his winger which was high and went over the sideline untouched. When the Maroons 123kg utility forward Dave Taylor
took the field in the fifty-fifth minute, he became the heaviest player in State of Origin history. New South Wales then had an attacking opportunity close to Queensland's line and Lyon put a kick up towards the goal-posts which none of the leapers could catch, and Watmough was there to grab it and take it over the line to score. Lyon converted so the Blues were back within two points at 14-16 with twenty-three minutes of the match remaining. In the sixty-first minute after being tackled on the halfway line, the Maroons worked the ball out to Boyd's wing, where he raced down the sideline before throwing it back in to Greg Inglis
to score out wide. Thurston's kick was successful so Queensland were in front 14-22. In the sixty-seventh minute as New South Wales fullback Kurt Gidley
was returning a kick to the ten-metre mark, Thurston, who led the Maroons' chasers, took the ball from his arms one-on-one and gave it to Sam Thaiday
who scored by the posts. The try was awarded and Thurston converted so the score was 14-28. The Blues scored next when deep inside Queensland's territory they worked the ball out to the right wing where Jamal Idris
, making his Origin debut, forced his way over the line. The video referee was called upon to award the try and Lyon's conversion attempt hit one of the uprights so the score was 18-28 with just over six minutes of play remaining. In the final minute New South Wales got a further consolation try when Gidley chipped the ball ahead and Slater couldn't secure it, giving Ben Creagh
the opportunity to dive on it over the line. Lyon kicked the extras but time ran out before play was re-started so Queensland won 24-28.
The Nine Network
's broadcast of Game I broke the television ratings record for a State of Origin match and became Australia's highest-rating television programme of 2010 thus far.
's announcement shortly after Game I that he would be playing Australian rules football for the AFL's expansion club in Greater Western Sydney led to agreement from the Queensland Rugby League
administration as well as senior players that he should not be selected to play in Game II. Brent Tate
looked to be his likely replacement until he broke his jaw, and Queensland quickly changed their mind and named Folau in the squad. This led to outcry from the New South Wales Rugby League
who criticsed the QRL for giving the AFL free publicity. The Blues camp was disrupted by Indigenous centre Timana Tahu
walking out of the team after comments he deemed to be racist from assistant coach and former teammate Andrew Johns
directed at Queensland Aboriginal player Greg Inglis
. Johns also stepped down from his role with the team as a result.
David Shillington
was chosen to be starting prop for Queensland as Petero Civoniceva
was ruled out after suffering from a fractured hand in Game I, freeing his place on the interchange bench for Ben Hannant
to make his return to Origin. Vice-captain Cameron Smith
also returned from injury, reclaiming the hooker role from stand-in Matt Ballin
.
An initial squad of 21 chosen was announced for game two for New South Wales due to the complication of judiciary hearings for two players selected in the squad. The 17-man squad was then chosen the day afterwards. Seven new players were selected, with Beau Scott
(making his State of Origin debut), Joel Monaghan
, Trent Barrett
, Mitchell Pearce
, Nathan Hindmarsh
, Paul Gallen
and Luke O'Donnell
selected in the starting 17. Manly representatives Jamie Lyon
and Anthony Watmough
were not selected as both had obtained injury concerns, whilst Luke Lewis
received a one match supsension that ruled him out of final squad selection.
Monaghan was called in five days into team preparation to replace right wing Timana Tahu
, who extraordinarily quit the squad after taking offence to racial comments made by Blues' assistant coach and former teammate Andrew Johns
. Johns believed to have referred to Queensland centre Greg Inglis
, who along with Tahu having Aboriginal origins, during his comments and afterwards decided to resign from his duty following the scandal.
Pre-match entertainment was provided by Jimmy Barnes
who performed two songs before 12-year-old Straalen McCallum sung the national anthem.
It took Queensland till the third minute to score, when, after a penalty helped them down to New South Wales' end of the field, the ball was thrown out to centre Greg Inglis
who scored in the corner. Johnathan Thurston
missed the difficult conversion attempt so the score was 4-0. About six minutes later the Maroons scored again, this time on the other wing when the ball was passed out to right winger Israel Folau
to cross in the corner. Thurston's kick was successful so the score was 10-0 after twelve minutes. Blues forward Paul Gallen
was placed on report for a high shot on Nate Myles
in the twenty-third minute. In the twenty-sixth minute, a dangerous tackle in which New South Wales forward Luke O'Donnell
lifted Queensland winger Darius Boyd
resulted in a brawl (in which O'Donnell also head-butted Maroons' forward Dave Taylor
) and a penalty to the Queenslanders. About four minutes later the Maroons were attacking close to the Blues' line and crossed again when their captain Darren Lockyer
put fullback Billy Slater
through a hole twelve metres out. However the pass was controversially called forward and the try disallowed. Next came a bit of individual brilliance from Johnathan Thurston when he received the ball on the fifth tackle just inside his own half and chip-kicked it over the head of a defender, running through to regather it after a failed attempt to do so by Kurt Gidley
. After the ensuing play-the-ball, it was passed out to Boyd on the left wing who ran twenty metres to score untouched. The conversion by Thurston was successful so Queensland led 16-0 with four minutes of the first half remaining, which were played out with no further points.
Again in only the third minute of the half the Maroons had made it into New South Wales' half of the field where Lockyer put a high cross-field kick over to the posts for Slater who wasn't able to catch it, but was able to tap it back, and Willie Tonga
was there to ground the ball. The video referee awarded the try and Thurston kicked the extras, so the score was 22-0 after four minutes. The points kept coming for Queensland when a cut-out pass from Lockyer to Folau found the Blues outnumbered on the right wing. Thurston's sideline conversion was successful so the score was 28-0 after less than ten minutes of the second half. In the fifty-eighth minute Inglis and opposing centre Beau Scott
had a punch-up which ended with a penalty to the Maroons. A few minutes later Queensland got another close-range try when utility Cooper Cronk
dummied and forced his way over the line. The extras were kicked by Thurston so it was 34-0 after sixty-five minutes. New South Wales appeared to have scored their first try in the seventy-fourth minute, when Brett Morris
dived onto his own chip-kick from close range. However it was disallowed by the video referee because a Blues defender who was inadvertently offside had impeded the Maroons' defence. In the second last minute though, New South Wales got their sole consolation try when front-rower Brett White
was put through a gap ten metres out from the Queensland line. This try saved the Blues from what would have been the biggest loss in the history of State of Origin, but the kick from Michael Ennis
was successful so the score was 34-6 and remained at that when the full-time siren sounded.
The win meant Queensland extended their record-breaking four consecutive series victories to five and in the process sentenced New South Wales to their fifth consecutive series defeat.
, Michael Gordon
, Michael Jennings
, Jason King, Tim Mannah
and Kade Snowden
. Gordon, King, Mannah, and Snowden all made their debuts for their state whilst Luke Lewis
and Anthony Watmough
returned after their absence from game two. Injury forced Matt Cooper out from being selected whilst Luke O'Donnell
was not considered due to his suspension sentence obtained from Game II.
Queensland saw Petero Civoniceva
selected after returning from his hand injury, forcing David Shillington
back to the bench, and Ben Hannant out of the side.
The National Anthem was first performed in Australian Aboriginal language before being performed in English.
New South Wales mistakes (including a dropped ball on their second hit-up, a failed attempt to find touch after a penalty and a mid-air tackle on Billy Slater marking a kick) meant they had almost no possession in the opposition half for the first quarter of the match. The weight of possession in attacking field position afforded Queensland the first try, which came in the twentieth minute as they worked the ball out to the left wing from close range for Darius Boyd to dive over. Johnathan Thurston's conversion from the sideline was successful so the Maroons were leading 6 nil. Seven minutes later Queensland were again raiding the Blues' line when a select pass from Cameron Smith sent Nate Myles through a gap for his first Origin try. The kick from Thurston added the extra two points so the Maroons had a 12 - 0 lead with eleven minutes of the half remaining. New South Wales, getting some ball in attacking position later in the half, scored their first try when Paul Gallen crashed over from close-range under the posts in the thirty-seventh minute. Debutant Michael Gordon made no mistake with the simple conversion so the Blues were back in it at 12 - 6. In the final minute of the half Darren Lockyer kicked a field goal from 46 metres out, making the half-time score 13 - 6 in favour of the Queenslanders.
New South Wales got the first points of the second half while raiding the Maroons' line and keeping the ball alive with Kurt Gidley crashing through Queensland's scrambling goal-line defence. Gordon's conversion was successful so the visitors' lead was reduced to one point at 13-12 after forty-eight minutes. Sixteen minutes later the Blues were again attacking the Maroons' line when Anthony Watmough broke into the clear and looked certain to score but Queensland fullback Billy Slater came up with a remarkable try-saving tackle that kept Watmough from grounding the ball. The pressure remained on the Maroons as the New South Welshmen continued their attack and in the sixty-ninth minute Blues dummy half Michael Ennis, two metres from the Queensland uprights, put a deft grubber kick through the defence and Greg Bird raced through to dive on it. This gave New South Wales the lead for the first time since the first half of Game I. Gordon's conversion put the Blues in front by five points at 13-18 with just over ten minutes of the match to go. A couple of minutes later after making a tackle, Ennis punched Nate Myles in the ruck, sparking a brawl and giving the Maroons a penalty in an attacking position. The Queenslanders decided to attack New South Wales' line and before the third tackle of the set Slater had scored after running onto Darren Lockyer's inside pass eight metres out. Thurston's conversion restored the Maroons' one-point lead at 19-18 with four and a half minutes of the match left. As the Blues tried to work the ball out of their own half Queensland winger Israel Folau intercepted a pass, giving his team possession again in good field position. One tackle later the ball was passed out to Willie Tonga who had the defence outnumbered on the right side and cantered over untouched for the match-sealing try. Folau was given the difficult conversion attempt for Tonga's try and despite striking it well, the ball just missed. So the Maroons had achieved their first State of Origin series whitewash since 1995, winning the match 23-18 and providing the perfect birthday present for Mal Meninga
who turned 50 the following day.
Following the game the man-of-the-match award and Wally Lewis Medal for player of the series, were both given to Billy Slater
before the State of Origin Shield was presented to skipper Darren Lockyer.
Following yet another series loss for New South Wales, it was announced that their main sponsor Aussie Home Loans would not be continuing their support for the team. As well as this, a full-scale, on-and-off field investigation was launched into the attitude, behaviour, conduct and operation of the New South Wales team. Ironically, this investigation was carried out by a Queenslander, former Sydney Roosters
CEO Brian Canavan
.
1 - Timana Tahu
was originally selected to play but withdrew due to personal reasons. He was replaced by Joel Monaghan
.
2 - Hindmarsh switched places with Waterhouse to play in the starting side after being initially selected for the bench.
3 - Barrett attained captaincy from Gidley in game three.
1 – Cameron Smith
was originally selected to play but withdrew due to injury. He was replaced by Matt Ballin
.
Rugby League State of Origin
State of Origin is an annual best of three series of rugby league football matches contested by the Maroons and the Blues, who represent the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales respectively...
series was the 29th year that the annual best-of-three series of interstate rugby league football matches contested between the Queensland
Queensland rugby league team
The Queensland rugby league team have represented the Australian state of Queensland in rugby league football since the sport's beginnings there in 1908...
and New South Wales
New South Wales rugby league team
The New South Wales rugby league team has represented the Australian state of New South Wales in rugby league football since the sport's beginnings there in 1907. Administered by the New South Wales Rugby League, the team competes in the annual State of Origin series against arch-rivals, the...
representative teams was played under 'State of Origin' selection rules. In a world first, the Nine Network
Nine Network
The Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia...
broadcasted free-to-air
Free-to-air
Free-to-air describes television and radio services broadcast in clear form, allowing any person with the appropriate receiving equipment to receive the signal and view or listen to the content without requiring a subscription or one-off fee...
for the first match in 3D
3D television
A 3D television is a television set that employs techniques of 3D presentation, such as stereoscopic capture, multi-view capture, or 2D-plus-depth, and a 3D display – a special viewing device to project a television program into a realistic three-dimensional field.- History :In the late-1890's,...
to the Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, Newcastle
Newcastle, New South Wales
The Newcastle metropolitan area is the second most populated area in the Australian state of New South Wales and includes most of the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas...
, Wollongong
Wollongong, New South Wales
Wollongong is a seaside city located in the Illawarra region of New South Wales, Australia. It lies on the narrow coastal strip between the Illawarra Escarpment and the Pacific Ocean, 82 kilometres south of Sydney...
, Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
, Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
, Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
and Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
areas. Part-way through the series it became steeped in controversy, firstly for Israel Folau
Israel Folau
Israel Folau is a professional Australian rules footballer currently listed with the Greater Western Sydney Football Club in the Australian Football League . He previously played Rugby league for the Melbourne Storm in the National Rugby League from 2007 to 2008 where he broke the record for most...
's announcement of his defection to the AFL and subsequent non-selection by Queensland, and secondly by New South Wales' Andrew Johns
Andrew Johns
Andrew Gary "Joey" Johns is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s who is considered by many to be the greatest player of all time. He was heralded as the world's best halfback for a number of years...
-Timana Tahu
Timana Tahu
Timana James Aporo Tahu is an Australian professional rugby league footballer and former rugby union player, a dual-code international, currently playing for the Newcastle Knights in the National Rugby League. He formerly played for the New South Wales Waratahs in the Super 14 competition...
racial slur controversy. Ultimately, Queensland won all three matches, completing their first series white-wash since 1995 to claim their 19th State of Origin title and increase their dominance to an unprecedented five series wins in succession. Queensland fullback Billy Slater
Billy Slater
Billy Slater is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League . An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative fullback, he has played his whole NRL career to date at Melbourne...
was awarded the Wally Lewis Medal as Player of the Series.
Game I
In addition to Matt BallinMatt Ballin
Matthew Ballin is a professional rugby league player who currently plays for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League . He primarily plays at hooker.-Early years:...
, who was included as Queensland's hooker due to Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently captains the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League...
's failure to recover from an elbow injury suffered in the 2010 ANZAC Test
2010 ANZAC Test
The 2010 ANZAC Test was a rugby league test match played between Australia and New Zealand on 7 May 2010. The match coincided with the official opening of AAMI Park in Melbourne. The match was won by Australia with a score of 12–8.-The teams:...
, Dave Taylor
David Taylor (rugby league)
Dave Taylor is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the South Sydney Rabbitohs of the National Rugby League...
and Cooper Cronk
Cooper Cronk
Cooper Patrick Cronk is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently playing for the Melbourne Storm of the NRL...
were selected to make their debuts for the Maroons.
Jamal Idris
Jamal Idris
Jamal Dasuki Idris is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Gold Coast Titans of the National Rugby League. He previously played for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. A New South Wales State Of Origin representative, he has also played for the Indigenous Australian...
and Brett Morris
Brett Morris
Brett Morris is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the St. George Illawarra Dragons of the National Rugby League. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative winger, he is the son of St...
were New South Wales' only rookies.
Prior to kick-off Australia's national anthem was performed by Sam Moran
Sam Moran
Sam Moran is an Australian entertainer best known for being a member of the children's band The Wiggles. He was born in Sydney and raised in Wagga Wagga.-Career:...
on a rainy night at ANZ Stadium. There were plenty of handling errors in the wet conditions and New South Wales were dominating field position early in the match. In the seventh minute their lock forward Anthony Watmough
Anthony Watmough
Anthony Watmough is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles club of the National Rugby League...
put a bomb up near Queensland's try-line which the Maroons' defence failed to secure. Jarryd Hayne
Jarryd Hayne
Jarryd Lee Hayne is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Parramatta Eels of the NRL. A New South Wales State of Origin and Australian, Fiji international representative winger and fullback, he has played his entire NRL career to date with Parramatta, with whom he got to the...
was there to dive on it and the Blues had their first try. Jamie Lyon
Jamie Lyon
Jamie Lyon is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently captains for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles of the National Rugby League...
kicked the extras so the score was 6-0. After more dropped ball Queensland then had an opportunity in good field position. In the fifteenth minute their halfback Johnathan Thurston
Johnathan Thurston
Johnathan Dean Thurston is an Indigenous Australian professional rugby league footballer in the NRL with the North Queensland Cowboys whom he co-captains...
took on the New South Wales defensive line before throwing a one-handed pass over the top of the defence to Darius Boyd
Darius Boyd
Darius Boyd is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently playing for the Newcastle Knights in the NRL. Boyd plays at fullback, however he is also very capable as a three-quarter back, as proven by his selection for Australia and Queensland as a winger...
to score untouched out on the wing. Thurston's conversion was successful so it was 6-6. The score remained level until the twenty-eighth minute when the Blues were awarded a dubious penalty for a Maroons offside infringement and Lyon kicked it successfully, giving his side an 8-6 lead. About five minutes later, Queensland had made it to within fifteen metres of New South Wales' line when Thurston chipped the ball ahead for fullback Billy Slater
Billy Slater
Billy Slater is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League . An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative fullback, he has played his whole NRL career to date at Melbourne...
to pick up and dive over the line with. The Maroons halfback kicked the extras so the score was 8-12 and remained unchanged for the remaining five minutes of the first half.
Queensland scored first in the second half when, attacking close to the Blues' line, prop David Shillington
David Shillington
David Shillington is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Canberra Raiders of the National Rugby League...
was able to stand in a tackle and offload to Maroons captain Darren Lockyer
Darren Lockyer
Darren Lockyer is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer. He was the captain of the Australian national team, the Queensland State of Origin team and his National Rugby League club, the Brisbane Broncos. His professional career spanned between 1995 and 2011...
who raced through to get a try. Thurston missed the conversion so the score remained 8-16 in favour of Queensland. Just before the fifty-minute mark, Lyon chipped the ball over the Maroons' defence for Hayne to race ahead and regather in the open space of Queensland's half. However Hayne instantly threw a speculative no-look pass to his winger which was high and went over the sideline untouched. When the Maroons 123kg utility forward Dave Taylor
David Taylor (rugby league)
Dave Taylor is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the South Sydney Rabbitohs of the National Rugby League...
took the field in the fifty-fifth minute, he became the heaviest player in State of Origin history. New South Wales then had an attacking opportunity close to Queensland's line and Lyon put a kick up towards the goal-posts which none of the leapers could catch, and Watmough was there to grab it and take it over the line to score. Lyon converted so the Blues were back within two points at 14-16 with twenty-three minutes of the match remaining. In the sixty-first minute after being tackled on the halfway line, the Maroons worked the ball out to Boyd's wing, where he raced down the sideline before throwing it back in to Greg Inglis
Greg Inglis
Greg Inglis is an Australian professional rugby league player for the South Sydney Rabbitohs. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative outside back, Inglis joined the Rabbitohs in 2011 after much controversy.Inglis is a versatile back, having played in several...
to score out wide. Thurston's kick was successful so Queensland were in front 14-22. In the sixty-seventh minute as New South Wales fullback Kurt Gidley
Kurt Gidley
Kurt Gidley is a professional Australian rugby league player and captain of the Newcastle Knights in the NRL. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative fullback he has played his entire NRL career to date with the Knights. He is the younger brother of Matthew...
was returning a kick to the ten-metre mark, Thurston, who led the Maroons' chasers, took the ball from his arms one-on-one and gave it to Sam Thaiday
Sam Thaiday
Samuel H. "Sam" Thaiday is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who captains the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League. An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative forward, he has spent all of his career at the Broncos, with whom he won the 2006...
who scored by the posts. The try was awarded and Thurston converted so the score was 14-28. The Blues scored next when deep inside Queensland's territory they worked the ball out to the right wing where Jamal Idris
Jamal Idris
Jamal Dasuki Idris is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Gold Coast Titans of the National Rugby League. He previously played for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. A New South Wales State Of Origin representative, he has also played for the Indigenous Australian...
, making his Origin debut, forced his way over the line. The video referee was called upon to award the try and Lyon's conversion attempt hit one of the uprights so the score was 18-28 with just over six minutes of play remaining. In the final minute New South Wales got a further consolation try when Gidley chipped the ball ahead and Slater couldn't secure it, giving Ben Creagh
Ben Creagh
Ben Creagh is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the St George Illawarra Dragons of the National Rugby League...
the opportunity to dive on it over the line. Lyon kicked the extras but time ran out before play was re-started so Queensland won 24-28.
The Nine Network
Nine Network
The Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia...
's broadcast of Game I broke the television ratings record for a State of Origin match and became Australia's highest-rating television programme of 2010 thus far.
Game II
Tickets for Game II sold out within two hours of going on sale. Both sides' preparations for the match were steeped in controversy. Maroons winger Israel FolauIsrael Folau
Israel Folau is a professional Australian rules footballer currently listed with the Greater Western Sydney Football Club in the Australian Football League . He previously played Rugby league for the Melbourne Storm in the National Rugby League from 2007 to 2008 where he broke the record for most...
's announcement shortly after Game I that he would be playing Australian rules football for the AFL's expansion club in Greater Western Sydney led to agreement from the Queensland Rugby League
Queensland Rugby League
The Queensland Rugby Football League is the governing body for rugby league in Queensland. It is a member of the Australian Rugby League and selects the members of Queensland State of Origin teams....
administration as well as senior players that he should not be selected to play in Game II. Brent Tate
Brent Tate
Brent Tate is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the North Queensland Cowboys in the National Rugby League...
looked to be his likely replacement until he broke his jaw, and Queensland quickly changed their mind and named Folau in the squad. This led to outcry from the New South Wales Rugby League
New South Wales Rugby League
The New South Wales Rugby League is the governing body of rugby league in New South Wales and is a member of the Australian Rugby League. It was formed in Sydney on 8 August 1907 and was known as the New South Wales Rugby Football League until 1984 when forward thinking marketing managers decided...
who criticsed the QRL for giving the AFL free publicity. The Blues camp was disrupted by Indigenous centre Timana Tahu
Timana Tahu
Timana James Aporo Tahu is an Australian professional rugby league footballer and former rugby union player, a dual-code international, currently playing for the Newcastle Knights in the National Rugby League. He formerly played for the New South Wales Waratahs in the Super 14 competition...
walking out of the team after comments he deemed to be racist from assistant coach and former teammate Andrew Johns
Andrew Johns
Andrew Gary "Joey" Johns is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s who is considered by many to be the greatest player of all time. He was heralded as the world's best halfback for a number of years...
directed at Queensland Aboriginal player Greg Inglis
Greg Inglis
Greg Inglis is an Australian professional rugby league player for the South Sydney Rabbitohs. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative outside back, Inglis joined the Rabbitohs in 2011 after much controversy.Inglis is a versatile back, having played in several...
. Johns also stepped down from his role with the team as a result.
David Shillington
David Shillington
David Shillington is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Canberra Raiders of the National Rugby League...
was chosen to be starting prop for Queensland as Petero Civoniceva
Petero Civoniceva
Petero Civoniceva is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently contracted to the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League...
was ruled out after suffering from a fractured hand in Game I, freeing his place on the interchange bench for Ben Hannant
Ben Hannant
Benjamin Hannant is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Brisbane Broncos of the NRL...
to make his return to Origin. Vice-captain Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently captains the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League...
also returned from injury, reclaiming the hooker role from stand-in Matt Ballin
Matt Ballin
Matthew Ballin is a professional rugby league player who currently plays for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League . He primarily plays at hooker.-Early years:...
.
An initial squad of 21 chosen was announced for game two for New South Wales due to the complication of judiciary hearings for two players selected in the squad. The 17-man squad was then chosen the day afterwards. Seven new players were selected, with Beau Scott
Beau Scott
Beau Scott is an Australian rugby league player for the St. George Illawarra Dragons in the NRL. His position of choice is at second row, however due to his versatility can also play in the centres....
(making his State of Origin debut), Joel Monaghan
Joel Monaghan
Joel Monaghan is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Warrington Wolves in Super League. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative three-quarter, he played for the Canberra Raiders and the Sydney Roosters...
, Trent Barrett
Trent Barrett
Trent Barrett is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s...
, Mitchell Pearce
Mitchell Pearce
Mitchell Pearce is an Australian rugby league footballer currently playing for the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League...
, Nathan Hindmarsh
Nathan Hindmarsh
Nathan William Hindmarsh is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who captains the Parramatta Eels in the National Rugby League and the Australian Prime Minister's XIII...
, Paul Gallen
Paul Gallen
Paul Gallen is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks of the National Rugby League. Gallen's position of choice is lock and occasionally at Prop. He is an Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative...
and Luke O'Donnell
Luke O'Donnell
Luke O'Donnell is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently playing for the North Queensland Cowboys of the National Rugby League. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative back-rower, he previously played for the Balmain Tigers and Wests...
selected in the starting 17. Manly representatives Jamie Lyon
Jamie Lyon
Jamie Lyon is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently captains for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles of the National Rugby League...
and Anthony Watmough
Anthony Watmough
Anthony Watmough is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles club of the National Rugby League...
were not selected as both had obtained injury concerns, whilst Luke Lewis
Luke Lewis
Luke Lewis is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative utility player, he has spent his entire professional career with the Panthers,...
received a one match supsension that ruled him out of final squad selection.
Monaghan was called in five days into team preparation to replace right wing Timana Tahu
Timana Tahu
Timana James Aporo Tahu is an Australian professional rugby league footballer and former rugby union player, a dual-code international, currently playing for the Newcastle Knights in the National Rugby League. He formerly played for the New South Wales Waratahs in the Super 14 competition...
, who extraordinarily quit the squad after taking offence to racial comments made by Blues' assistant coach and former teammate Andrew Johns
Andrew Johns
Andrew Gary "Joey" Johns is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s who is considered by many to be the greatest player of all time. He was heralded as the world's best halfback for a number of years...
. Johns believed to have referred to Queensland centre Greg Inglis
Greg Inglis
Greg Inglis is an Australian professional rugby league player for the South Sydney Rabbitohs. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative outside back, Inglis joined the Rabbitohs in 2011 after much controversy.Inglis is a versatile back, having played in several...
, who along with Tahu having Aboriginal origins, during his comments and afterwards decided to resign from his duty following the scandal.
Pre-match entertainment was provided by Jimmy Barnes
Jimmy Barnes
James Dixon Swan , better known as Jimmy Barnes, is a Scottish-born Australian rock singer-songwriter. His father Jim Swan was a prizefighter and his older brother John Swan is also a rock singer. It was actually John who had encouraged and taught Jim how to sing as he wasn't really interested at...
who performed two songs before 12-year-old Straalen McCallum sung the national anthem.
It took Queensland till the third minute to score, when, after a penalty helped them down to New South Wales' end of the field, the ball was thrown out to centre Greg Inglis
Greg Inglis
Greg Inglis is an Australian professional rugby league player for the South Sydney Rabbitohs. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative outside back, Inglis joined the Rabbitohs in 2011 after much controversy.Inglis is a versatile back, having played in several...
who scored in the corner. Johnathan Thurston
Johnathan Thurston
Johnathan Dean Thurston is an Indigenous Australian professional rugby league footballer in the NRL with the North Queensland Cowboys whom he co-captains...
missed the difficult conversion attempt so the score was 4-0. About six minutes later the Maroons scored again, this time on the other wing when the ball was passed out to right winger Israel Folau
Israel Folau
Israel Folau is a professional Australian rules footballer currently listed with the Greater Western Sydney Football Club in the Australian Football League . He previously played Rugby league for the Melbourne Storm in the National Rugby League from 2007 to 2008 where he broke the record for most...
to cross in the corner. Thurston's kick was successful so the score was 10-0 after twelve minutes. Blues forward Paul Gallen
Paul Gallen
Paul Gallen is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks of the National Rugby League. Gallen's position of choice is lock and occasionally at Prop. He is an Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative...
was placed on report for a high shot on Nate Myles
Nate Myles
Nate Myles is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Sydney Roosters of the NRL. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative forward, he previously played for the Bulldogs club...
in the twenty-third minute. In the twenty-sixth minute, a dangerous tackle in which New South Wales forward Luke O'Donnell
Luke O'Donnell
Luke O'Donnell is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently playing for the North Queensland Cowboys of the National Rugby League. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative back-rower, he previously played for the Balmain Tigers and Wests...
lifted Queensland winger Darius Boyd
Darius Boyd
Darius Boyd is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently playing for the Newcastle Knights in the NRL. Boyd plays at fullback, however he is also very capable as a three-quarter back, as proven by his selection for Australia and Queensland as a winger...
resulted in a brawl (in which O'Donnell also head-butted Maroons' forward Dave Taylor
David Taylor (rugby league)
Dave Taylor is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the South Sydney Rabbitohs of the National Rugby League...
) and a penalty to the Queenslanders. About four minutes later the Maroons were attacking close to the Blues' line and crossed again when their captain Darren Lockyer
Darren Lockyer
Darren Lockyer is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer. He was the captain of the Australian national team, the Queensland State of Origin team and his National Rugby League club, the Brisbane Broncos. His professional career spanned between 1995 and 2011...
put fullback Billy Slater
Billy Slater
Billy Slater is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League . An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative fullback, he has played his whole NRL career to date at Melbourne...
through a hole twelve metres out. However the pass was controversially called forward and the try disallowed. Next came a bit of individual brilliance from Johnathan Thurston when he received the ball on the fifth tackle just inside his own half and chip-kicked it over the head of a defender, running through to regather it after a failed attempt to do so by Kurt Gidley
Kurt Gidley
Kurt Gidley is a professional Australian rugby league player and captain of the Newcastle Knights in the NRL. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative fullback he has played his entire NRL career to date with the Knights. He is the younger brother of Matthew...
. After the ensuing play-the-ball, it was passed out to Boyd on the left wing who ran twenty metres to score untouched. The conversion by Thurston was successful so Queensland led 16-0 with four minutes of the first half remaining, which were played out with no further points.
Again in only the third minute of the half the Maroons had made it into New South Wales' half of the field where Lockyer put a high cross-field kick over to the posts for Slater who wasn't able to catch it, but was able to tap it back, and Willie Tonga
Willie Tonga
Willie Tonga is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the North Queensland Cowboys of the NRL...
was there to ground the ball. The video referee awarded the try and Thurston kicked the extras, so the score was 22-0 after four minutes. The points kept coming for Queensland when a cut-out pass from Lockyer to Folau found the Blues outnumbered on the right wing. Thurston's sideline conversion was successful so the score was 28-0 after less than ten minutes of the second half. In the fifty-eighth minute Inglis and opposing centre Beau Scott
Beau Scott
Beau Scott is an Australian rugby league player for the St. George Illawarra Dragons in the NRL. His position of choice is at second row, however due to his versatility can also play in the centres....
had a punch-up which ended with a penalty to the Maroons. A few minutes later Queensland got another close-range try when utility Cooper Cronk
Cooper Cronk
Cooper Patrick Cronk is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently playing for the Melbourne Storm of the NRL...
dummied and forced his way over the line. The extras were kicked by Thurston so it was 34-0 after sixty-five minutes. New South Wales appeared to have scored their first try in the seventy-fourth minute, when Brett Morris
Brett Morris
Brett Morris is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the St. George Illawarra Dragons of the National Rugby League. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative winger, he is the son of St...
dived onto his own chip-kick from close range. However it was disallowed by the video referee because a Blues defender who was inadvertently offside had impeded the Maroons' defence. In the second last minute though, New South Wales got their sole consolation try when front-rower Brett White
Brett White
Brett White is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Canberra Raiders, and formally of the Melbourne Storm of the NRL...
was put through a gap ten metres out from the Queensland line. This try saved the Blues from what would have been the biggest loss in the history of State of Origin, but the kick from Michael Ennis
Michael Ennis
Michael Ennis is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs of the National Rugby League. A New South Wales State of Origin representative hooker, he previously played for the Brisbane Broncos, St George Illawarra Dragons and the Newcastle Knights...
was successful so the score was 34-6 and remained at that when the full-time siren sounded.
The win meant Queensland extended their record-breaking four consecutive series victories to five and in the process sentenced New South Wales to their fifth consecutive series defeat.
Game III
Six new Blues players were selected for Game III: Greg BirdGreg Bird
Gregory Bird is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently contracted to the Gold Coast Titans of the National Rugby League...
, Michael Gordon
Michael Gordon (rugby league)
Michael Gordon is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Penrith Panthers of the National Rugby League. A New South Wales State of Origin representative goal-kicking winger he has played his whole career to date with the Panthers...
, Michael Jennings
Michael Jennings (rugby league)
Michael Joseph "Jenko" Jennings is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Penrith Panthers of the National Rugby League...
, Jason King, Tim Mannah
Tim Mannah
Tim Mannah is a professional rugby league footballer of Lebanese-Australian heritage currently playing for the Parramatta Eels in the National Rugby League .-Early life:...
and Kade Snowden
Kade Snowden
Kade Snowden is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently playing for the Newcastle Knights in the National Rugby League. He primarily plays at prop but started his first-grade career as a second-rower. He began his career at the Newcastle Knights and made his first grade debut...
. Gordon, King, Mannah, and Snowden all made their debuts for their state whilst Luke Lewis
Luke Lewis
Luke Lewis is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative utility player, he has spent his entire professional career with the Panthers,...
and Anthony Watmough
Anthony Watmough
Anthony Watmough is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles club of the National Rugby League...
returned after their absence from game two. Injury forced Matt Cooper out from being selected whilst Luke O'Donnell
Luke O'Donnell
Luke O'Donnell is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently playing for the North Queensland Cowboys of the National Rugby League. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative back-rower, he previously played for the Balmain Tigers and Wests...
was not considered due to his suspension sentence obtained from Game II.
Queensland saw Petero Civoniceva
Petero Civoniceva
Petero Civoniceva is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently contracted to the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League...
selected after returning from his hand injury, forcing David Shillington
David Shillington
David Shillington is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Canberra Raiders of the National Rugby League...
back to the bench, and Ben Hannant out of the side.
The National Anthem was first performed in Australian Aboriginal language before being performed in English.
New South Wales mistakes (including a dropped ball on their second hit-up, a failed attempt to find touch after a penalty and a mid-air tackle on Billy Slater marking a kick) meant they had almost no possession in the opposition half for the first quarter of the match. The weight of possession in attacking field position afforded Queensland the first try, which came in the twentieth minute as they worked the ball out to the left wing from close range for Darius Boyd to dive over. Johnathan Thurston's conversion from the sideline was successful so the Maroons were leading 6 nil. Seven minutes later Queensland were again raiding the Blues' line when a select pass from Cameron Smith sent Nate Myles through a gap for his first Origin try. The kick from Thurston added the extra two points so the Maroons had a 12 - 0 lead with eleven minutes of the half remaining. New South Wales, getting some ball in attacking position later in the half, scored their first try when Paul Gallen crashed over from close-range under the posts in the thirty-seventh minute. Debutant Michael Gordon made no mistake with the simple conversion so the Blues were back in it at 12 - 6. In the final minute of the half Darren Lockyer kicked a field goal from 46 metres out, making the half-time score 13 - 6 in favour of the Queenslanders.
New South Wales got the first points of the second half while raiding the Maroons' line and keeping the ball alive with Kurt Gidley crashing through Queensland's scrambling goal-line defence. Gordon's conversion was successful so the visitors' lead was reduced to one point at 13-12 after forty-eight minutes. Sixteen minutes later the Blues were again attacking the Maroons' line when Anthony Watmough broke into the clear and looked certain to score but Queensland fullback Billy Slater came up with a remarkable try-saving tackle that kept Watmough from grounding the ball. The pressure remained on the Maroons as the New South Welshmen continued their attack and in the sixty-ninth minute Blues dummy half Michael Ennis, two metres from the Queensland uprights, put a deft grubber kick through the defence and Greg Bird raced through to dive on it. This gave New South Wales the lead for the first time since the first half of Game I. Gordon's conversion put the Blues in front by five points at 13-18 with just over ten minutes of the match to go. A couple of minutes later after making a tackle, Ennis punched Nate Myles in the ruck, sparking a brawl and giving the Maroons a penalty in an attacking position. The Queenslanders decided to attack New South Wales' line and before the third tackle of the set Slater had scored after running onto Darren Lockyer's inside pass eight metres out. Thurston's conversion restored the Maroons' one-point lead at 19-18 with four and a half minutes of the match left. As the Blues tried to work the ball out of their own half Queensland winger Israel Folau intercepted a pass, giving his team possession again in good field position. One tackle later the ball was passed out to Willie Tonga who had the defence outnumbered on the right side and cantered over untouched for the match-sealing try. Folau was given the difficult conversion attempt for Tonga's try and despite striking it well, the ball just missed. So the Maroons had achieved their first State of Origin series whitewash since 1995, winning the match 23-18 and providing the perfect birthday present for Mal Meninga
Mal Meninga
Malcolm Norman Meninga AM is an Australian former rugby league test captain and current coach of Queensland's State of Origin team. As a player he was a legendary goal-kicking centre, counted amongst the finest footballers of the 20th century...
who turned 50 the following day.
Following the game the man-of-the-match award and Wally Lewis Medal for player of the series, were both given to Billy Slater
Billy Slater
Billy Slater is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League . An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative fullback, he has played his whole NRL career to date at Melbourne...
before the State of Origin Shield was presented to skipper Darren Lockyer.
Following yet another series loss for New South Wales, it was announced that their main sponsor Aussie Home Loans would not be continuing their support for the team. As well as this, a full-scale, on-and-off field investigation was launched into the attitude, behaviour, conduct and operation of the New South Wales team. Ironically, this investigation was carried out by a Queenslander, former Sydney Roosters
Sydney Roosters
The Sydney Roosters are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney. The club competes in the National Rugby League and is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Australian rugby league history, having won twelve New South Wales Rugby League...
CEO Brian Canavan
Brian Canavan
Brian Canavan was the CEO of the Australian National Rugby League team, the Sydney Roosters from September 2003 to October 2008.In 2010 Canavan was appointed to investigate the on-and-off field performances, attitude, behaviour, conduct and setup of the New South Wales State of Origin team...
.
Teams
The 18th man is a reserve to cover for any forthcoming injuries and, unless chosen, does not actually play.New South Wales
| Position | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fullback | Kurt Gidley Kurt Gidley Kurt Gidley is a professional Australian rugby league player and captain of the Newcastle Knights in the NRL. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative fullback he has played his entire NRL career to date with the Knights. He is the younger brother of Matthew... (c) |
Jarryd Hayne Jarryd Hayne Jarryd Lee Hayne is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Parramatta Eels of the NRL. A New South Wales State of Origin and Australian, Fiji international representative winger and fullback, he has played his entire NRL career to date with Parramatta, with whom he got to the... |
|
| Wing | Jarryd Hayne Jarryd Hayne Jarryd Lee Hayne is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Parramatta Eels of the NRL. A New South Wales State of Origin and Australian, Fiji international representative winger and fullback, he has played his entire NRL career to date with Parramatta, with whom he got to the... |
Brett Morris Brett Morris Brett Morris is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the St. George Illawarra Dragons of the National Rugby League. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative winger, he is the son of St... |
|
| Centre | Matt Cooper | Michael Jennings Michael Jennings (rugby league) Michael Joseph "Jenko" Jennings is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Penrith Panthers of the National Rugby League... |
|
| Centre | Timana Tahu Timana Tahu Timana James Aporo Tahu is an Australian professional rugby league footballer and former rugby union player, a dual-code international, currently playing for the Newcastle Knights in the National Rugby League. He formerly played for the New South Wales Waratahs in the Super 14 competition... |
Beau Scott Beau Scott Beau Scott is an Australian rugby league player for the St. George Illawarra Dragons in the NRL. His position of choice is at second row, however due to his versatility can also play in the centres.... |
|
| Wing | Brett Morris Brett Morris Brett Morris is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the St. George Illawarra Dragons of the National Rugby League. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative winger, he is the son of St... |
Joel Monaghan Joel Monaghan Joel Monaghan is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Warrington Wolves in Super League. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative three-quarter, he played for the Canberra Raiders and the Sydney Roosters... 1 |
Michael Gordon Michael Gordon (rugby league) Michael Gordon is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Penrith Panthers of the National Rugby League. A New South Wales State of Origin representative goal-kicking winger he has played his whole career to date with the Panthers... |
| Five-Eighth | Jamie Lyon Jamie Lyon Jamie Lyon is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently captains for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles of the National Rugby League... |
Trent Barrett Trent Barrett Trent Barrett is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s... 3 |
|
| Halfback | Brett Kimmorley Brett Kimmorley Brett "Noddy" Kimmorley was an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs of the NRL. He has previously played for five other clubs and has also represented his country and state on several occasions... |
Mitchell Pearce Mitchell Pearce Mitchell Pearce is an Australian rugby league footballer currently playing for the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League... |
|
| Prop | Michael Weyman Michael Weyman Michael Weyman is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the St. George Illawarra Dragons of the National Rugby League... |
Jason King | |
| Hooker | Michael Ennis Michael Ennis Michael Ennis is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs of the National Rugby League. A New South Wales State of Origin representative hooker, he previously played for the Brisbane Broncos, St George Illawarra Dragons and the Newcastle Knights... |
||
| Prop | Josh Perry Josh Perry Josh Perry is an Australian professional rugby league player for St Helens RLFC in the Super League competition... |
Brett White Brett White Brett White is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Canberra Raiders, and formally of the Melbourne Storm of the NRL... |
Kade Snowden Kade Snowden Kade Snowden is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently playing for the Newcastle Knights in the National Rugby League. He primarily plays at prop but started his first-grade career as a second-rower. He began his career at the Newcastle Knights and made his first grade debut... |
| 2nd Row | Trent Waterhouse Trent Waterhouse Trent Waterhouse is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Penrith Panthers of the National Rugby League . He has also represented City Origin, New South Wales and Australia... |
Nathan Hindmarsh Nathan Hindmarsh Nathan William Hindmarsh is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who captains the Parramatta Eels in the National Rugby League and the Australian Prime Minister's XIII... 2 |
Luke Lewis Luke Lewis Luke Lewis is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative utility player, he has spent his entire professional career with the Panthers,... |
| 2nd Row | Ben Creagh Ben Creagh Ben Creagh is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the St George Illawarra Dragons of the National Rugby League... |
Paul Gallen Paul Gallen Paul Gallen is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks of the National Rugby League. Gallen's position of choice is lock and occasionally at Prop. He is an Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative... |
|
| Lock | Anthony Watmough Anthony Watmough Anthony Watmough is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles club of the National Rugby League... |
Paul Gallen Paul Gallen Paul Gallen is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks of the National Rugby League. Gallen's position of choice is lock and occasionally at Prop. He is an Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative... |
Greg Bird Greg Bird Gregory Bird is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently contracted to the Gold Coast Titans of the National Rugby League... |
| Interchange | Jamal Idris Jamal Idris Jamal Dasuki Idris is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Gold Coast Titans of the National Rugby League. He previously played for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. A New South Wales State Of Origin representative, he has also played for the Indigenous Australian... |
Kurt Gidley Kurt Gidley Kurt Gidley is a professional Australian rugby league player and captain of the Newcastle Knights in the NRL. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative fullback he has played his entire NRL career to date with the Knights. He is the younger brother of Matthew... (c) |
|
| Interchange | Tom Learoyd-Lahrs Tom Learoyd-Lahrs Tom Learoyd-Lahrs is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Canberra Raiders of the National Rugby League competition... |
||
| Interchange | Luke Lewis Luke Lewis Luke Lewis is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Penrith Panthers in the National Rugby League. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative utility player, he has spent his entire professional career with the Panthers,... |
Trent Waterhouse Trent Waterhouse Trent Waterhouse is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Penrith Panthers of the National Rugby League . He has also represented City Origin, New South Wales and Australia... |
Tim Mannah Tim Mannah Tim Mannah is a professional rugby league footballer of Lebanese-Australian heritage currently playing for the Parramatta Eels in the National Rugby League .-Early life:... |
| Interchange | Brett White Brett White Brett White is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Canberra Raiders, and formally of the Melbourne Storm of the NRL... |
Luke O'Donnell Luke O'Donnell Luke O'Donnell is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently playing for the North Queensland Cowboys of the National Rugby League. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative back-rower, he previously played for the Balmain Tigers and Wests... |
Anthony Watmough Anthony Watmough Anthony Watmough is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles club of the National Rugby League... |
| 18th man | Brett Finch Brett Finch Brett Finch is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Wigan Warriors of the Super League... |
Jason King | Chris Lawrence Chris Lawrence (rugby league) Chris Lawrence is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Wests Tigers of the National Rugby League... |
| Coach | Craig Bellamy | ||
1 - Timana Tahu
Timana Tahu
Timana James Aporo Tahu is an Australian professional rugby league footballer and former rugby union player, a dual-code international, currently playing for the Newcastle Knights in the National Rugby League. He formerly played for the New South Wales Waratahs in the Super 14 competition...
was originally selected to play but withdrew due to personal reasons. He was replaced by Joel Monaghan
Joel Monaghan
Joel Monaghan is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Warrington Wolves in Super League. An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative three-quarter, he played for the Canberra Raiders and the Sydney Roosters...
.
2 - Hindmarsh switched places with Waterhouse to play in the starting side after being initially selected for the bench.
3 - Barrett attained captaincy from Gidley in game three.
Queensland
| Position | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fullback | Billy Slater Billy Slater Billy Slater is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League . An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative fullback, he has played his whole NRL career to date at Melbourne... |
||
| Wing | Darius Boyd Darius Boyd Darius Boyd is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently playing for the Newcastle Knights in the NRL. Boyd plays at fullback, however he is also very capable as a three-quarter back, as proven by his selection for Australia and Queensland as a winger... |
||
| Centre | Greg Inglis Greg Inglis Greg Inglis is an Australian professional rugby league player for the South Sydney Rabbitohs. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative outside back, Inglis joined the Rabbitohs in 2011 after much controversy.Inglis is a versatile back, having played in several... |
||
| Centre | Willie Tonga Willie Tonga Willie Tonga is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the North Queensland Cowboys of the NRL... |
||
| Wing | Israel Folau Israel Folau Israel Folau is a professional Australian rules footballer currently listed with the Greater Western Sydney Football Club in the Australian Football League . He previously played Rugby league for the Melbourne Storm in the National Rugby League from 2007 to 2008 where he broke the record for most... |
||
| Five-Eighth | Darren Lockyer Darren Lockyer Darren Lockyer is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer. He was the captain of the Australian national team, the Queensland State of Origin team and his National Rugby League club, the Brisbane Broncos. His professional career spanned between 1995 and 2011... (c) |
||
| Halfback | Johnathan Thurston Johnathan Thurston Johnathan Dean Thurston is an Indigenous Australian professional rugby league footballer in the NRL with the North Queensland Cowboys whom he co-captains... |
||
| Prop | Matthew Scott Matthew Scott Matthew Scott is an Australian professional rugby league footballer and current co-captain for the North Queensland Cowboys of the National Rugby League... |
||
| Hooker | Matt Ballin Matt Ballin Matthew Ballin is a professional rugby league player who currently plays for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League . He primarily plays at hooker.-Early years:... 1 |
Cameron Smith Cameron Smith Cameron Smith is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently captains the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League... |
|
| Prop | Petero Civoniceva Petero Civoniceva Petero Civoniceva is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently contracted to the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League... |
David Shillington David Shillington David Shillington is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Canberra Raiders of the National Rugby League... |
Petero Civoniceva Petero Civoniceva Petero Civoniceva is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently contracted to the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League... |
| 2nd Row | Nate Myles Nate Myles Nate Myles is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Sydney Roosters of the NRL. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative forward, he previously played for the Bulldogs club... |
||
| 2nd Row | Sam Thaiday Sam Thaiday Samuel H. "Sam" Thaiday is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who captains the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League. An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative forward, he has spent all of his career at the Broncos, with whom he won the 2006... |
||
| Lock | Ashley Harrison Ashley Harrison Ashley Harrison is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Gold Coast Titans of the NRL... |
||
| Interchange | Cooper Cronk Cooper Cronk Cooper Patrick Cronk is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently playing for the Melbourne Storm of the NRL... |
||
| Interchange | David Shillington David Shillington David Shillington is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Canberra Raiders of the National Rugby League... |
Ben Hannant Ben Hannant Benjamin Hannant is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Brisbane Broncos of the NRL... |
David Shillington David Shillington David Shillington is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Canberra Raiders of the National Rugby League... |
| Interchange | Neville Costigan Neville Costigan Neville Costigan is a professional rugby league footballer for the Newcastle Knights of the National Rugby League. A Queensland State of Origin and Papua New Guinea international representative, Costigan previously played for the Brisbane Broncos, Canberra Raiders and most recently, the St... |
||
| Interchange | Dave Taylor David Taylor (rugby league) Dave Taylor is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the South Sydney Rabbitohs of the National Rugby League... |
||
| 18th man | Ben Te'o | Jharal Yow Yeh Jharal Yow Yeh Jharal Yow Yeh is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League... |
Ben Lowe |
| Coach | Mal Meninga Mal Meninga Malcolm Norman Meninga AM is an Australian former rugby league test captain and current coach of Queensland's State of Origin team. As a player he was a legendary goal-kicking centre, counted amongst the finest footballers of the 20th century... |
||
1 – Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently captains the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League...
was originally selected to play but withdrew due to injury. He was replaced by Matt Ballin
Matt Ballin
Matthew Ballin is a professional rugby league player who currently plays for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the National Rugby League . He primarily plays at hooker.-Early years:...
.
External links
- State of Origin 2010 at rugbyleagueproject.org