2011 State of Origin series
Encyclopedia
The 2011 State of Origin
series was the 30th annual best-of-three series of interstate rugby league football matches between the Queensland
and New South Wales
representative teams contested under "State of Origin
" selection rules. Game I was played in Brisbane
, Game II was played in Sydney
and Game III was again played in Brisbane. Mal Meninga
continued on as coach of Queensland, aiming for a sixth consecutive series win, whilst New South Wales this year chose to follow the successful Maroons approach of recent times and appointed Ricky Stuart
as a full-time Origin coach (with no other club commitments) in an attempt to rebuild a winning mentality for the team and the State, after a very poor 2010 series in which they were beaten in the series 3–0 for the first time since 2000.
Despite a much improved New South Wales outfit, Queensland stretched their series-winning streak to six titles, securing it with a 34–24 victory in the third and deciding game of the series in front of a record equalling 52,498 fans at Suncorp Stadium
. The series also marked Queensland skipper Darren Lockyer
's final series, winning in his 36th and final State of Origin game. Queensland hooker Cameron Smith
was awarded the Wally Lewis Medal as Player of the Series. For the sixth year in a row the Brad Fittler Medal was not awarded.
, Josh Dugan
, Jamie Soward
, Trent Merrin
and Dean Young
. The strong form of the St George Illawarra Dragons
was acknowledged with the selection of seven from that club side in Soward, Young, Merrin, Ben Creagh
, Brett Morris
, Mark Gasnier
and Beau Scott
. Queensland stuck with their successful line-up from 2010 although injuries to centres Greg Inglis
and Justin Hodges
saw call-ups for Brisbane's Jharal Yow Yeh
and Melbourne's Dane Nielsen
to don the Maroon jersey for their first time.
Pre-match entertainment was provided by James Blunt
before the Australian national anthem
was performed by The Ten Tenors
.
The Queensland forwards led by Petero Civoniceva
and Matthew Scott
bustled the New South Wales pack from the kick off and appeared to have the upper hand in the early stage of the game enabling the Maroons to run off each other and take ground. When Johnathan Thurston
scored in the fifth minute off a Cameron Smith
grubber it looked as though the Blues could be in for a long night. But the New South Wales team galvanised its defence and managed to hold Queensland out for the entire remainder of the first half in spite of Queensland forcing repeated sets close to the Blues tryline through the excellent kicking performances of Thurston and Darren Lockyer
. New South Wales gained composure as the half went on and put pressure on the Queensland defence at times, although scoring opportunities were few and the kicking games of Soward and Mitchell Pearce
were covered well by the classy Queensland backs. New South Wales would have taken heart from the 0–6 scoreline at the break.
Six minutes into the second half a grubber kick for the corner from Cooper Cronk
for the Maroons looked to be covered by Brett Morris but when Morris opted to shield instead of taking the ball, Queensland debutante winger Jharal Yow Yeh
pounced and took the scoreline to 10–0 to Queensland. From the 50th to the 60th minute Queensland threw everything at the Blues and pinpoint kick finishes ensured repeat sets. New South Wales at one point defended six consecutive sets, tackling heroically and solidly showing the kind of understanding and team communication that would be expected of well seasoned club combinations. Thurston missed a penalty goal from close range and as if buoyed by the reprieve New South Wales came to life turning defence into attack and scoring two tries quickly in the 65nd then 69th minutes of the match. Firstly a missed tackle from Civoniceva on Greg Bird
created an opportunity for Pearce to collect a pass from Bird and score under the posts. Then four minutes later Blues speedster Michael Jennings
scored and New South Wales took a 12–10 lead with ten minutes to play.
After an immediate response from the Queensland forwards who took the play into Blues territory the senior Queensland playmakers took control and surprised New South Wales with a simple Smith to Thurston to Lockyer play who in turn put an inside ball to Slater to score in the 73rd minute. Thurston converted and after a final period when the Maroons showed their experience in defence, the match finished with a 16–12 scoreline to Queensland and a 1–0 start to the series.
, Michael Jennings
and prop Kade Snowden
all missed selection due to injuries suffered in their previous club games. Fullback Josh Dugan
later joined the injury list shortly following selection, injuring his ankle only hours before the squad was announced. He was replaced by experienced Sydney Roosters
fullback Anthony Minichiello
(the only remaining survivor from New South Wales' last series victory in 2005), playing his first Origin game since 2007. Jarryd Hayne
and William Hopoate joined the squad to replace the injured Morris and Jennings respectively, with Hopoate becoming New South Wales' third youngest player to debut into the squad, behind Brad Fittler
and Jarryd Hayne
who also both debuted at 19.
Other notable inclusions included utility Kurt Gidley
and backrowers Anthony Watmough
and Luke Lewis
on the interchange. Blues Captain Paul Gallen
was chosen to play at prop at game II despite being a recognized back rower, at the expense of Jason King
. Gallen's reassignment saw a reshuffle in the back row with Ben Creagh
filling in at second row and Greg Bird
covering in at lock.
Queensland's Johnathan Thurston landed a penalty goal 2 minutes in to make it 0-2 before the game had clicked into gear. Cameron Smith's try and 'JT' scoring the conversion made it 0-8 and the Blues were looking doomed. Luke Lewis
caught a Mitchell Pearce
bomb and Jamie Soward
curled a terrific sideline conversion to make it 8-6.
Desperate to avoid losing a sixth consecutive series, the Blues, trailing 8–6 at halftime managed to keep Queensland scoreless in the second half whilst at the same time scoring tries through debutant William Hopoate and Anthony Minichiello
to score a series-levelling 18–8 victory. Minichiello was one of only two NSW players who played in the last victorious NSW side, the other being Mark Gasnier
. The Maroons' loss was their first in Sydney since Game I, 2008, their equal lowest score at the venue since Game I, 2004 and their lowest score in any Origin game since Game III, 2007.
The Australian National Anthem was performed by the Sydney Children's Choir and the Gondwana National Indigenous Children's Choir.
from injury, thus relegating Dane Nielsen
to 18th man. Suspension to David Taylor
also led to the re-selection of Jacob Lillyman
back onto the Maroons' bench. New South Wales chose to pick an initial squad of 20 due to injury concerns to several players. Keith Galloway
made his Origin debut from the bench at the expense of Trent Merrin
, with Merrin called back into the squad as 18th man as cover for Beau Scott
and Glenn Stewart
. Only hours before the match it was confirmed that both Michael Jennings
and Beau Scott
both succumbed to their injuries and made late withdrawals, forcing Jarryd Hayne
to move from wing to centre with Brett Morris
starting on the wing and Glenn Stewart replacing Scott.
Queensland scored four quick tries within 20 minutes to shoot out to a 24–0 lead with five minutes to play to half-time, before two late NSW tries got the margin back to 24–10 by half-time. But then the Maroons turned on the after-burners with two more tries, and another two late tries to the Blues (including an eight-point try to Jarryd Hayne
) reduced the final margin to 34–24, ensuring yet another Queensland series victory, their sixth in succession, and sentencing New South Wales to yet another year in the Origin doldrums. There is set to be another review of the New South Wales operations after yet another series loss.
One sour note for the Maroons was a potentially season-ending injury to halfback Johnathan Thurston
, who is the most likely to inherit Darren Lockyer's No. 6 jersey for the 2012 series. It was later revealed that Thurston suffered a less serious knee injury, ruling him out for up to a month and triggering a form slump for his club the North Queensland Cowboys
(which fell from the top four at the time of Thurston's injury to a final position of 7th at season's end). Also, captain-in-waiting and Wally Lewis Medallist Cameron Smith
was cleared of a charge of kneeing New South Wales centre Jarryd Hayne
which resulted in an eight-point try awarded to the Blues.
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 30th annual best-of-three series of interstate rugby league football matches 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 contested under "State of Origin
State of Origin
State of Origin is the name used in Australia for one existing sporting event which involves domestic representative teams. The term, when used in isolation, usually refers to rugby league football, and occassionally Australian Football matches, in which players are selected for the Australian...
" selection rules. Game I was played in 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...
, Game II was played in 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...
and Game III was again played in Brisbane. 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...
continued on as coach of Queensland, aiming for a sixth consecutive series win, whilst New South Wales this year chose to follow the successful Maroons approach of recent times and appointed Ricky Stuart
Ricky Stuart
Ricky Stuart is an Australian rugby league football coach and former player of the 1980s and 90s. He is currently the head coach of the New South Wales State of Origin team, having replaced Craig Bellamy following a fifth consecutive failure in the 2010 series...
as a full-time Origin coach (with no other club commitments) in an attempt to rebuild a winning mentality for the team and the State, after a very poor 2010 series in which they were beaten in the series 3–0 for the first time since 2000.
Despite a much improved New South Wales outfit, Queensland stretched their series-winning streak to six titles, securing it with a 34–24 victory in the third and deciding game of the series in front of a record equalling 52,498 fans at Suncorp Stadium
Suncorp Stadium
Lang Park is the original name of the site located in the Brisbane suburb of Milton, Queensland, Australia, now occupied by the major sports facility known by its sponsorship name, Suncorp Stadium...
. The series also marked Queensland skipper 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...
's final series, winning in his 36th and final State of Origin game. Queensland hooker 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 awarded the Wally Lewis Medal as Player of the Series. For the sixth year in a row the Brad Fittler Medal was not awarded.
Game I
New South Wales coach Ricky Stuart was reported to have been given by selectors the team of his choosing and in doing so, picked five Origin debutantes in Akuila UateAkuila Uate
Akuila Uate ' is a professional rugby league footballer for the Newcastle Knights of the National Rugby League...
, Josh Dugan
Josh Dugan
Josh Dugan is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Canberra Raiders of the National Rugby League. A Country New South Wales representative and NRL All Stars backline player, he has played his entire club career to date with the Raiders....
, Jamie Soward
Jamie Soward
Jamie Soward is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the St. George Illawarra Dragons of National Rugby League...
, Trent Merrin
Trent Merrin
Trent Merrin is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the St. George Illawarra Dragons of the National Rugby League. Primarily a prop forward, he has played his whole career to date at the Dragons, winning the 2010 NRL Grand Final with them....
and Dean Young
Dean Young
Dean Young may refer to:*Dean Young *Dean Young , Australian professional rugby league footballer*Dean Young , scripter for the Blondie comic strip...
. The strong form of the St George Illawarra Dragons
St George Illawarra Dragons
The St George Illawarra Dragons is an Australian professional rugby league football club, representing the St. George and Illawarra regions. They have competed in the National Rugby League since 1999 as a joint venture between Sydney's historic St. George Dragons club and 1982 expansion club, the...
was acknowledged with the selection of seven from that club side in Soward, Young, Merrin, Ben Creagh
Ben Creagh
Ben Creagh is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the St George Illawarra Dragons of the National Rugby League...
, 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...
, Mark Gasnier
Mark Gasnier
Mark Gasnier is an Australian former rugby league player, a state and national representative centre three-quarter. He played eleven top-grade seasons with the St. George Illawarra Dragons in the NRL, interrupted by two seasons of rugby union played with the French club Stade Français. He was a...
and 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....
. Queensland stuck with their successful line-up from 2010 although injuries to centres 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...
and Justin Hodges
Justin Hodges
Justin Hodges is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League...
saw call-ups for Brisbane's 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...
and Melbourne's Dane Nielsen
Dane Nielsen
Dane Nielsen is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Melbourne Storm of the NRL. His usual position is at centre and he can also play in the wing, as he did in his side's 2009 NRL Grand Final win...
to don the Maroon jersey for their first time.
Pre-match entertainment was provided by James Blunt
James Blunt
James Hillier Blount , better known by his stage name James Blunt, is an English singer-songwriter and musician, and former army officer, whose debut album, Back to Bedlam and single releases, including "You're Beautiful" and "Goodbye My Lover", brought him to fame in 2005...
before the Australian national anthem
Advance Australia Fair
"Advance Australia Fair" is the official national anthem of Australia. Created by the Scottish-born composer, Peter Dodds McCormick, the song was first performed in 1878, but did not gain its status as the official anthem until 1984. Until then, the song was sung in Australia as a patriotic song...
was performed by The Ten Tenors
The Ten Tenors
The TEN Tenors are an Australian musical ensemble who have toured world-wide. In a typical set, the group performs Queen standards, including "Bohemian Rhapsody", and "The Show Must Go On"; tracks from Meat Loaf medley; AC/DC and much more...
.
The Queensland forwards led by Petero Civoniceva
Petero Civoniceva
Petero Civoniceva is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently contracted to the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League...
and 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...
bustled the New South Wales pack from the kick off and appeared to have the upper hand in the early stage of the game enabling the Maroons to run off each other and take ground. When 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...
scored in the fifth minute off a Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently captains the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League...
grubber it looked as though the Blues could be in for a long night. But the New South Wales team galvanised its defence and managed to hold Queensland out for the entire remainder of the first half in spite of Queensland forcing repeated sets close to the Blues tryline through the excellent kicking performances of Thurston and 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...
. New South Wales gained composure as the half went on and put pressure on the Queensland defence at times, although scoring opportunities were few and the kicking games of Soward and Mitchell Pearce
Mitchell Pearce
Mitchell Pearce is an Australian rugby league footballer currently playing for the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League...
were covered well by the classy Queensland backs. New South Wales would have taken heart from the 0–6 scoreline at the break.
Six minutes into the second half a grubber kick for the corner from Cooper Cronk
Cooper Cronk
Cooper Patrick Cronk is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently playing for the Melbourne Storm of the NRL...
for the Maroons looked to be covered by Brett Morris but when Morris opted to shield instead of taking the ball, Queensland debutante winger 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...
pounced and took the scoreline to 10–0 to Queensland. From the 50th to the 60th minute Queensland threw everything at the Blues and pinpoint kick finishes ensured repeat sets. New South Wales at one point defended six consecutive sets, tackling heroically and solidly showing the kind of understanding and team communication that would be expected of well seasoned club combinations. Thurston missed a penalty goal from close range and as if buoyed by the reprieve New South Wales came to life turning defence into attack and scoring two tries quickly in the 65nd then 69th minutes of the match. Firstly a missed tackle from Civoniceva on 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...
created an opportunity for Pearce to collect a pass from Bird and score under the posts. Then four minutes later Blues speedster Michael Jennings
Michael Jennings
Michael Jennings is a professional boxer. He fights as a welterweight, and is a former British champion and World title challenger at the weight.-Professional career:...
scored and New South Wales took a 12–10 lead with ten minutes to play.
After an immediate response from the Queensland forwards who took the play into Blues territory the senior Queensland playmakers took control and surprised New South Wales with a simple Smith to Thurston to Lockyer play who in turn put an inside ball to Slater to score in the 73rd minute. Thurston converted and after a final period when the Maroons showed their experience in defence, the match finished with a 16–12 scoreline to Queensland and a 1–0 start to the series.
Game II
The New South Wales' selected squad for Game Two saw numerous changes, mainly due to injury concerns and position transfers. Backs Brett MorrisBrett 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...
, 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...
and prop 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...
all missed selection due to injuries suffered in their previous club games. Fullback Josh Dugan
Josh Dugan
Josh Dugan is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Canberra Raiders of the National Rugby League. A Country New South Wales representative and NRL All Stars backline player, he has played his entire club career to date with the Raiders....
later joined the injury list shortly following selection, injuring his ankle only hours before the squad was announced. He was replaced by experienced 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...
fullback Anthony Minichiello
Anthony Minichiello
Anthony Minichiello is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who, to date, has played his entire career for the Sydney Roosters of the National Rugby League. He plays at fullback and on the Wing. Minichiello has represented New South Wales and Australia...
(the only remaining survivor from New South Wales' last series victory in 2005), playing his first Origin game since 2007. 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...
and William Hopoate joined the squad to replace the injured Morris and Jennings respectively, with Hopoate becoming New South Wales' third youngest player to debut into the squad, behind Brad Fittler
Brad Fittler
Bradley Scott "Freddie" Fittler AM is an Australian professional rugby league football coach and former player. The current coach of NSW City team in the City vs. Country clash, he coached in the NRL for the Sydney Roosters between 2007 and 2009. As a player, Fittler captained both New South Wales...
and 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...
who also both debuted at 19.
Other notable inclusions included utility 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...
and backrowers 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...
and 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,...
on the interchange. Blues Captain 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 chosen to play at prop at game II despite being a recognized back rower, at the expense of Jason King
Jason King
Jason King may refer to:* Jason King , cultural critic and musician* Jason King , British television programme* Jason King , ice hockey player* Jason King , British radio DJ...
. Gallen's reassignment saw a reshuffle in the back row with Ben Creagh
Ben Creagh
Ben Creagh is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the St George Illawarra Dragons of the National Rugby League...
filling in at second row and 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...
covering in at lock.
Queensland's Johnathan Thurston landed a penalty goal 2 minutes in to make it 0-2 before the game had clicked into gear. Cameron Smith's try and 'JT' scoring the conversion made it 0-8 and the Blues were looking doomed. 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,...
caught a Mitchell Pearce
Mitchell Pearce
Mitchell Pearce is an Australian rugby league footballer currently playing for the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League...
bomb and Jamie Soward
Jamie Soward
Jamie Soward is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the St. George Illawarra Dragons of National Rugby League...
curled a terrific sideline conversion to make it 8-6.
Desperate to avoid losing a sixth consecutive series, the Blues, trailing 8–6 at halftime managed to keep Queensland scoreless in the second half whilst at the same time scoring tries through debutant William Hopoate and Anthony Minichiello
Anthony Minichiello
Anthony Minichiello is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who, to date, has played his entire career for the Sydney Roosters of the National Rugby League. He plays at fullback and on the Wing. Minichiello has represented New South Wales and Australia...
to score a series-levelling 18–8 victory. Minichiello was one of only two NSW players who played in the last victorious NSW side, the other being Mark Gasnier
Mark Gasnier
Mark Gasnier is an Australian former rugby league player, a state and national representative centre three-quarter. He played eleven top-grade seasons with the St. George Illawarra Dragons in the NRL, interrupted by two seasons of rugby union played with the French club Stade Français. He was a...
. The Maroons' loss was their first in Sydney since Game I, 2008, their equal lowest score at the venue since Game I, 2004 and their lowest score in any Origin game since Game III, 2007.
The Australian National Anthem was performed by the Sydney Children's Choir and the Gondwana National Indigenous Children's Choir.
Game III
Queensland, in its bid to win a sixth straight series, recalled Justin HodgesJustin Hodges
Justin Hodges is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League...
from injury, thus relegating Dane Nielsen
Dane Nielsen
Dane Nielsen is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Melbourne Storm of the NRL. His usual position is at centre and he can also play in the wing, as he did in his side's 2009 NRL Grand Final win...
to 18th man. Suspension to David Taylor
David Taylor (rugby league)
Dave Taylor is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the South Sydney Rabbitohs of the National Rugby League...
also led to the re-selection of Jacob Lillyman
Jacob Lillyman
Jacob Lillyman is an Australian professional rugby league footaller, currently playing for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League. Lillyman formerly played in the second row, where he had appeared for Queensland in State of Origin...
back onto the Maroons' bench. New South Wales chose to pick an initial squad of 20 due to injury concerns to several players. Keith Galloway
Keith Galloway
Keith Galloway is an Australian professional rugby league player for the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League competition. He previously played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks...
made his Origin debut from the bench at the expense of Trent Merrin
Trent Merrin
Trent Merrin is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the St. George Illawarra Dragons of the National Rugby League. Primarily a prop forward, he has played his whole career to date at the Dragons, winning the 2010 NRL Grand Final with them....
, with Merrin called back into the squad as 18th man as cover for 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....
and Glenn Stewart
Glenn Stewart
Glenn Stewart is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles of the National Rugby League . An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative second-row forward, Stewart has played all of his club football to date with Manly,...
. Only hours before the match it was confirmed that both 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...
and 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....
both succumbed to their injuries and made late withdrawals, forcing 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...
to move from wing to centre with 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...
starting on the wing and Glenn Stewart replacing Scott.
Queensland scored four quick tries within 20 minutes to shoot out to a 24–0 lead with five minutes to play to half-time, before two late NSW tries got the margin back to 24–10 by half-time. But then the Maroons turned on the after-burners with two more tries, and another two late tries to the Blues (including an eight-point try to 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...
) reduced the final margin to 34–24, ensuring yet another Queensland series victory, their sixth in succession, and sentencing New South Wales to yet another year in the Origin doldrums. There is set to be another review of the New South Wales operations after yet another series loss.
One sour note for the Maroons was a potentially season-ending injury to 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...
, who is the most likely to inherit Darren Lockyer's No. 6 jersey for the 2012 series. It was later revealed that Thurston suffered a less serious knee injury, ruling him out for up to a month and triggering a form slump for his club the North Queensland Cowboys
North Queensland Cowboys
The North Queensland Cowboys are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Townsville, Queensland. They compete in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership...
(which fell from the top four at the time of Thurston's injury to a final position of 7th at season's end). Also, captain-in-waiting and Wally Lewis Medallist 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 cleared of a charge of kneeing New South Wales centre 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...
which resulted in an eight-point try awarded to the Blues.
Squads
The 18th man is a reserve to cover for any forthcoming injuries and, unless chosen, does not actually play.New South Wales Blues
| Position | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fullback | Josh Dugan Josh Dugan Josh Dugan is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Canberra Raiders of the National Rugby League. A Country New South Wales representative and NRL All Stars backline player, he has played his entire club career to date with the Raiders.... |
Anthony Minichiello Anthony Minichiello Anthony Minichiello is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who, to date, has played his entire career for the Sydney Roosters of the National Rugby League. He plays at fullback and on the Wing. Minichiello has represented New South Wales and Australia... |
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| 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... |
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 | 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... |
William Hopoate Will Hopoate William "Will" Hopoate also known as Viliami in Tonga is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles of the NRL. A New South Wales State of Origin three-quarter back, he has also represented NSW City... |
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... |
| Centre | Mark Gasnier Mark Gasnier Mark Gasnier is an Australian former rugby league player, a state and national representative centre three-quarter. He played eleven top-grade seasons with the St. George Illawarra Dragons in the NRL, interrupted by two seasons of rugby union played with the French club Stade Français. He was a... |
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| Wing | Akuila Uate Akuila Uate Akuila Uate ' is a professional rugby league footballer for the Newcastle Knights of the National Rugby League... |
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| Five-Eighth | Jamie Soward Jamie Soward Jamie Soward is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the St. George Illawarra Dragons of National Rugby League... |
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| Halfback | Mitchell Pearce Mitchell Pearce Mitchell Pearce is an Australian rugby league footballer currently playing for the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League... |
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| Prop | 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:... |
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| Hooker | Dean Young | 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... |
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| Prop | 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... |
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... (c) |
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| 2nd Row | 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.... |
Glenn Stewart Glenn Stewart Glenn Stewart is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles of the National Rugby League . An Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin representative second-row forward, Stewart has played all of his club football to date with Manly,... |
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| 2nd Row | 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... |
Ben Creagh Ben Creagh Ben Creagh is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the St George Illawarra Dragons of the National Rugby League... |
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| Lock | 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... (c) |
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... |
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| Interchange | 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... |
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... |
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| Interchange | Ben Creagh Ben Creagh Ben Creagh is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the St George Illawarra Dragons of the National Rugby League... |
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... |
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| Interchange | Trent Merrin Trent Merrin Trent Merrin is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the St. George Illawarra Dragons of the National Rugby League. Primarily a prop forward, he has played his whole career to date at the Dragons, winning the 2010 NRL Grand Final with them.... |
Keith Galloway Keith Galloway Keith Galloway is an Australian professional rugby league player for the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League competition. He previously played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks... |
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| Interchange | 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:... |
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,... |
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| 18th man | 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... |
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... |
Trent Merrin Trent Merrin Trent Merrin is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the St. George Illawarra Dragons of the National Rugby League. Primarily a prop forward, he has played his whole career to date at the Dragons, winning the 2010 NRL Grand Final with them.... |
| Coach | Ricky Stuart Ricky Stuart Ricky Stuart is an Australian rugby league football coach and former player of the 1980s and 90s. He is currently the head coach of the New South Wales State of Origin team, having replaced Craig Bellamy following a fifth consecutive failure in the 2010 series... |
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Queensland Maroons
| 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... |
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| 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... |
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| Centre | Dane Nielsen Dane Nielsen Dane Nielsen is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Melbourne Storm of the NRL. His usual position is at centre and he can also play in the wing, as he did in his side's 2009 NRL Grand Final win... |
Justin Hodges Justin Hodges Justin Hodges is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Brisbane Broncos of the National Rugby League... |
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| Centre | Willie Tonga Willie Tonga Willie Tonga is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the North Queensland Cowboys of the NRL... |
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... |
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| Wing | 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... |
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| 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) |
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| 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... |
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| 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... |
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| Hooker | Cameron Smith Cameron Smith Cameron Smith is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently captains the Melbourne Storm of the National Rugby League... |
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| 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... |
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| 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... |
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| 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... |
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| Lock | Ashley Harrison Ashley Harrison Ashley Harrison is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Gold Coast Titans of the NRL... |
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| Interchange | Cooper Cronk Cooper Cronk Cooper Patrick Cronk is an Australian professional rugby league footballer currently playing for the Melbourne Storm of the NRL... |
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| Interchange | Corey Parker | ||
| Interchange | Jacob Lillyman Jacob Lillyman Jacob Lillyman is an Australian professional rugby league footaller, currently playing for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League. Lillyman formerly played in the second row, where he had appeared for Queensland in State of Origin... |
David Taylor David Taylor (rugby league) Dave Taylor is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the South Sydney Rabbitohs of the National Rugby League... |
Jacob Lillyman Jacob Lillyman Jacob Lillyman is an Australian professional rugby league footaller, currently playing for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League. Lillyman formerly played in the second row, where he had appeared for Queensland in State of Origin... |
| Interchange | Ben Hannant Ben Hannant Benjamin Hannant is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Brisbane Broncos of the NRL... |
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| 18th Man | David Taylor David Taylor (rugby league) Dave Taylor is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the South Sydney Rabbitohs of the National Rugby League... |
Jacob Lillyman Jacob Lillyman Jacob Lillyman is an Australian professional rugby league footaller, currently playing for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League. Lillyman formerly played in the second row, where he had appeared for Queensland in State of Origin... |
Dane Nielsen Dane Nielsen Dane Nielsen is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Melbourne Storm of the NRL. His usual position is at centre and he can also play in the wing, as he did in his side's 2009 NRL Grand Final win... |
| 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... |
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See also
- 2011 NRL season2011 NRL seasonThe 2011 NRL season was the 105th season of professional rugby league football club competition in Australia, and the fourteenth run by the National Rugby League. The NRL's main championship, called the 2011 Telstra Premiership due to sponsorship from Telstra, was contested by sixteen teams for the...
- 2011 City vs Country