Series margin 2-1 Top points scorer(s) Cameron Smith (18) | Points scored 140 | |
Won by New South Wales (12th title) Attendance 187,309 (ave. 62,436 per match) Top try scorer(s) Matt Bowen Matt King (3) | ||
The 2005 State of Origin series saw the 24th time that the annual three-game series between the Queensland and New South Wales representative rugby league football teams was contested entirely under 'state of origin' selection rules. The three matches drew a total attendance of 187,309 and New South Wales won the series 2-1, their third consecutive series victory.
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The Wally Lewis Medal for Player of the series was awarded to New South Wales' fullback, Anthony Minichiello. The Ron McAuliffe Medal for Queensland player of the series was awarded to Cameron Smith. The Brad Fittler Medal for New South Wales player of the series was awarded to Matt King.
Game I
New South Wales brought Ricky Stuart in to coach against Michael Hagan, the two having previously faced each other as opposing halves in the opening game of the 1990 State of Origin series.
After fifty minutes, Queensland had raced away to a 19-0 lead. However New South Wales, under new coach Ricky Stuart made a strong comeback, bringing the score to 20-19 in their favour. A field goal from Johnathan Thurston, in his first match for the Maroons, saw the game go into Golden Point extra time. Brett Kimmorley, playing halfback in place of an injured Andrew Johns threw a pass intended for Matt King, but was instead intercepted by Matt Bowen, who snatched a 24-20 victory for the Maroons.
Game II
Having made his first NRL reappearance just ten days earlier following recovery from injury, Andrew Johns made his State of Origin comeback for Game II with a man-of-the-match performance to help level the 2005 series.
Game III
Queensland's decision to drop Billy Slater in favour of Matt Bowen led to outrage amongst Maroons fans.
After 25 years the 2005 decider was the 75th game between the two sides, with 36 wins for each side. The crowd of 52,496 people at Suncorp Stadium was a record for the ground at the time. After an hour New South Wales had raced away to a 32-0 lead and late tries to Queensland proved too little too late. Matt King became only the 9th player (and 4th New South Welshman) to score a hat-trick in State of Origin.