2005 State of Origin series
The 2005 State of Origin series between the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Maroons was decided in three matches which drew a total attendance of 187,309. New South Wales won the series 2-1, its third consecutive series victory since 2003.
The first match of the series was played at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, and was won by Queensland, 24-20, following a ten point haul by Queensland hooker Cameron Smith. New South Wales would go on to level the series in the second match at home at Telstra Stadium, Sydney, with a 32-22 victory. The third and final match was held at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane which would be won by New South Wales 32-10 and give them the 2005 series.
Fixtures
Game One
 Queensland
|
24–20 | File:NewSouthWalescolours.png New South Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Cameron Smith (10) Matt Bowen (4) Michael Crocker (4) Ty Williams (4) Darren Lockyer (1) Johnathan Thurston (1) |
(Report) |
(4) Danny Buderus (4) Craig Fitzgibbon (4) Mark Gasnier (4) Ben Kennedy (4) Luke Rooney |
Game Two
| File:NewSouthWalescolours.png New South Wales | 32–22 | Queensland
|
|---|---|---|
| Anthony Minichiello (8) Craig Fitzgibbon (6) Andrew Johns (6) Danny Buderus (4) Matt Cooper (4) Steven Menzies (4) |
(Report) |
(6) Cameron Smith (4) Matt Bowen (4) Petero Civoniceva (4) Billy Slater (4) Brad Thorn |
Game Three
| Queensland
|
10–32 | File:NewSouthWalescolours.png New South Wales |
|---|---|---|
| Matt Bowen (4) Johnathan Thurston (4) Cameron Smith (2) |
(Report) |
(12) Matt King (6) Andrew Johns (4) Braith Anasta (4) Mark Gasnier (4) Timana Tahu (2) Craig Fitzgibbon |
New South Wales Team
| Position | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fullback | Anthony Minichiello | ||
| Wing | Matt King | Timana Tahu | |
| Centre | Mark Gasnier | ||
| Centre | Matt Cooper | ||
| Wing | Luke Rooney | Matt King | |
| Five-Eighth | Trent Barrett | Braith Anasta | |
| Halfback | Brett Kimmorley | Andrew Johns | |
| Prop | Luke Bailey | Steve Simpson | Luke Bailey |
| Hooker | Danny Buderus | ||
| Prop | Jason Ryles | ||
| Second Row | Craig Fitzgibbon | ||
| Second Row | Nathan Hindmarsh | ||
| Lock | Ben Kennedy | ||
| Interchange | Craig Wing | Craig Gower | |
| Interchange | Steve Simpson | Steve Menzies | Steve Simpson |
| Interchange | Anthony Watmough | Luke Bailey | Steve Menzies |
| Interchange | Andrew Ryan | ||
| Coach | Ricky Stuart | ||
Queensland Team
| Position | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fullback | Billy Slater | Matt Bowen | |
| Wing | Ty Williams | ||
| Centre | Shaun Berrigan | ||
| Centre | Paul Bowman | ||
| Wing | Matt Sing | ||
| Five-Eighth | Darren Lockyer | ||
| Halfback | Johnathan Thurston | ||
| Prop | Steve Price | Brad Thorn | Danny Nutley |
| Hooker | Cameron Smith | ||
| Prop | Petero Civoniceva | ||
| Second Row | Michael Crocker | ||
| Second Row | Brad Thorn | Carl Webb | Brad Thorn |
| Lock | Chris Flannery | ||
| Interchange | Ben Ross | ||
| Interchange | Carl Webb | Dane Carlaw | Corey Parker |
| Interchange | Casey McGuire | Ashley Harrison | |
| Interchange | Matt Bowen | Tonie Carroll | |
| Coach | Michael Hagan | ||