2015 State of Origin series

The2015 State of Origin serieswas the 34th time theannual best-of-three seriesbetween theQueenslandandNew South Walesrugby league teams to be played entirely under'state of origin' rules(1980 and 1981 were only one game series). It was the third series to be administered by theAustralian Rugby League Commissionwhich was created in a major restructure of the sport's administration in Australia.

2015 State of Origin series
Won byQueensland(19th title)
Series margin2-1
Attendance224,135 (ave. 74,712 per match)
Player of the seriesCorey Parker
Top points scorer(s)Johnathan Thurston26
Top try scorer(s)Josh Morris
Michael Jennings
Greg Inglis
Will Chambers
Matt Gillett
(All 2 Tries Each)

This series had one game played in each of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, with Game I played at the 83,500 capacityANZ Stadium,Game II played at the 100,024 capacityMelbourne Cricket Ground,and Game III played at the 52,500 capacitySuncorp Stadium.[1]

Former Canberra, Queensland and Australian captainMal Meningawas coach of the Queensland side, whose eight-year State of Origin series winning streak was ended by New South Walesin 2014.The Blues were coached by former Canberra, NSW and Australia captainLaurie Daleyfor a third consecutive year.

Game I

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Wednesday, 27 May 2015
8:05 pm
New South Wales 10 – 11 Queensland
Tries:
Morris(21')1
Scott(27')1
Goals:
Hodkinson(28')1/2
Report
Tries:
1(14')Cronk
1(55')Chambers
Goals:
1/3(15')Thurston
Field goals:
1(74')Cronk
ANZ Stadium
Attendance: 80,122
Referee: Gerard Sutton,Ben Cummins
Player of the Match:Cameron Smith

National Anthem:Josh Piterman

Game II

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Wednesday, 17 June 2015
8:16 pm
Queensland 18 – 26 New South Wales
Tries:
Scott(11')1
Inglis(33')1
Gillett(48')1
Goals:
Thurston3/4
(12', 48', 57' pen)
report
Tries:
1(4')Jennings
1(27')J Morris
1(62')Woods
1(71')Dugan
Goals:
5/5Hodkinson
(6', 28', 39' pen, 64', 72')
Melbourne Cricket Ground
Attendance: 91,513
Referee: Gerard Sutton,Ben Cummins
Player of the Match:Michael Jennings

National Anthem:Claire Lyon

Game III

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Wednesday, 8 July 2015
8:00pm
Queensland 52 – 6 New South Wales
Tries:
Gagai(15')1
Papalii(27')1
Inglis(35')1
Gillett(42')1
Morgan(50')1
Boyd(57')1
Chambers(68')1
Guerra(78')1
Goals:
Thurston9/9
(9' pen, 16', 29', 33' pen, 37', 42', 52', 58, 69')
Hodges(80')1/1
Report
Tries:
1(61')Jennings
Goals:
1/2(6' pen)Hodkinson
Suncorp Stadium
Attendance: 52,500
Referee: Gerard Sutton,Ben Cummins
Player of the Match:Johnathan Thurston

National Anthem:Australian Girls ChoirandDanielle de Niese

Corey Parkerwas awarded the Wally Lewis medal for player of the series.

Teams

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The18th, 19th & 20th manare reserves to cover for any forthcoming injuries to the selected squad and, unless chosen, do not actually play.

New South Wales Blues

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Position Game 1 Game 2 Game 3
Fullback Josh Dugan
Wing Will Hopoate
Centre Josh Morris
Centre Michael Jennings
Wing Daniel Tupou Brett Morris
Five-eighth Mitchell Pearce
Halfback Trent Hodkinson
Prop Aaron Woods
Hooker Robbie Farah(c) Robbie Farah Michael Ennis2
Prop James Tamou
Second row Beau Scott
Second row Ryan Hoffman
Lock Josh Jackson Paul Gallen(c)1
Interchange Trent Merrin
Interchange Boyd Cordner
Interchange David Klemmer
Interchange Andrew Fifita Josh Jackson
Coach Laurie Daley
18th Man Tyson Frizell Tariq Sims
19th Man Ryan James Dylan Walker Alex Johnston
20th Man Matt Moylan

1 - Gallen retained the captaincy role from Farah in Game II.

2 - Robbie Farah was originally chosen to play in Game lll but withdrew due to a hand injury, he was replaced by Michael Ennis on game day.

Queensland Maroons

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Position Game 1 Game 2 Game 3
Fullback Billy Slater Greg Inglis
Wing Darius Boyd
Centre Greg Inglis Will Chambers
Centre Justin Hodges
Wing Will Chambers Dane Gagai
Five-eighth Johnathan Thurston
Halfback Cooper Cronk Daly Cherry-Evans Cooper Cronk
Prop Matt Scott
Hooker Cameron Smith(c)
Prop Nate Myles
Second row Aidan Guerra
Second row Sam Thaiday
Lock Corey Parker
Interchange Michael Morgan1
Interchange Josh McGuire Josh Papalii
Interchange Matt Gillett
Interchange Jacob Lillyman
Coach Mal Meninga
18th Man Dylan Napa Josh Papalii Edrick Lee
19th Man Dane Gagai
20th Man Korbin Sims

1 -Daly Cherry-Evanswas originally selected to play in game one but withdrew due to injury. He was replaced byMichael Morgan,then Morgan retained his spot on the bench in Game II and III.

Residents

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Under-20s

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8 July 2015
18:00 (Local)
New South Wales 32-16 Queensland

Women's Interstate Challenge

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27 June 2015
14:45 (Local)
New South Wales 4-4 Queensland
Tries:
Kelly1
report
Tries:
1Baker

Records

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Game II achieved the highest ever attendance for a State of Origin Game, with a crowd of 91,513 people in attendance.

Game III saw numerous records broken:[2]

  • Game III achieved the highest ever attendance for a match at Suncorp Stadium, with a crowd of 52,500 people in attendance.[3]
  • Queensland captainCameron Smithmade his 36th Queensland appearance, drawing level withDarren Lockyerfor most appearances for Queensland.[4]
  • Johnathan Thurstonscored 18 points, equallingLote Tuqiri's for most points in a single match by a Queenslander.[5]In addition, Thurston kicked 9 goals from 9 attempts, an Origin record.
  • With a 52-6 victory, Queensland equaled their record for highest State of Origin score, and broke the record for largest winning margin in State of Origin history, with a 46-point winning margin.[6]

References

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  1. ^"Origin venues locked-in for 5 years".Abc.net.au. 20 November 2012.Retrieved22 July2014.
  2. ^"Queensland break State of Origin records with 52-6 win".The Roar.Retrieved8 July2015.
  3. ^Badel, Peter."State of Origin: Maroons maul NSW to clinch decider".The Courier Mail.News Corporation.Retrieved8 July2015.
  4. ^Tomarchio, Cameron."The big State of Origin talking points".Herald Sun.News Corporation.Retrieved8 July2015.
  5. ^Webeck, Tony (8 July 2015)."State of Origin III: Five key points".nrl.com.National Rugby League.Retrieved8 July2015.
  6. ^"State of Origin decider: Queensland vs NSW at Suncorp Stadium".News.com.News Corporation.