2016 State of Origin series
Won by Queensland (20th title)
Series margin2-1
Attendance193,811 (ave. 64,604 per match)
Player of the series Cameron Smith
Top points scorer(s) Dane Gagai (16)
Top try scorer(s) Dane Gagai (4)

The 2016 State of Origin series was the 35th time the annual best-of-three series between the Queensland and New South Wales rugby league teams to be played entirely under 'state of origin' rules (1980 and 1981 were only one game series).[1]

The Maroons were the defending champions, but had a new coach in Kevin Walters, following the appointment of Mal Meninga to the position of Australian head coach.

Game I

Wednesday, June 1, 2016
8:15 pm
New South Wales 4 – 6 Queensland
Tries:
Cordner 1
Goals:
Reynolds 0/1 		Report
 Tries:
1 Gagai
Goals:
1/2 Thurston
ANZ Stadium
Attendance: 80,251
Referee: Gerard Sutton, Ben Cummins
Player of the Match: Matt Gillett

Game II

Wednesday, 22 June 2016
8:15 pm
Queensland 26 – 16 New South Wales
Tries:
Gagai 3
Oates 1
Goals:
Thurston 5/6 		Tries:
1 Frizell
1 Maloney
Goals:
3/3 Reynolds
1/1 Maloney
Suncorp Stadium
Attendance: 52,293
Referee: Gerard Sutton, Ben Cummins[2]
Player of the Match: Cameron Smith

Game III

Wednesday, 13 July 2016
8:15pm
New South Wales 18 – 14 Queensland
Tries:
Frizell 1
Fifita 1
Jennings 1
Goals:
Maloney 2/2
Gallen 1/1
Sin Bin:
Fifita 1 		Tries:
1 Inglis
1 Cooper
1 Boyd
Goals:
1/3 Thurston
Sin Bin:
1 Cronk
ANZ Stadium
Attendance: 61,267
Referee: Gerard Sutton, Ben Cummins
Player of the Match: James Maloney

Teams

New South Wales Blues

Position Game 1 Game 2 Game 3
Fullback Matt Moylan James Tedesco
Wing Blake Ferguson
Centre Michael Jennings
Centre Josh Morris Dylan Walker Josh Dugan
Wing Josh Mansour
Five-eighth James Maloney Matt Moylan
Halfback Adam Reynolds James Maloney
Prop Aaron Woods
Hooker Robbie Farah
Prop Paul Gallen (c) James Tamou Paul Gallen (c)
Second row Boyd Cordner Josh Jackson Wade Graham
Second row Josh Jackson Tyson Frizell Josh Jackson
Lock James Tamou Paul Gallen (c) Tyson Frizell
Interchange Greg Bird Jack Bird
Interchange Dylan Walker David Klemmer James Tamou
Interchange David Klemmer Andrew Fifita David Klemmer
Interchange Andrew Fifita Jack Bird Andrew Fifita
Coach Laurie Daley

Queensland Maroons

Position Game 1 Game 2 Game 3
Fullback Darius Boyd
Wing Corey Oates
Centre Greg Inglis
Centre Justin O'Neill
Wing Dane Gagai
Five-eighth Johnathan Thurston
Halfback Cooper Cronk
Prop Matt Scott
Hooker Cameron Smith (c)
Prop Nate Myles Josh McGuire Nate Myles
Second row Matt Gillett
Second row Sam Thaiday
Lock Corey Parker
Interchange Michael Morgan Gavin Cooper
Interchange Josh McGuire Jacob Lillyman Josh McGuire
Interchange Aidan Guerra
Interchange Josh Papalii Jacob Lillyman
Coach Kevin Walters

1 - Darius Boyd in his 24th appearance for Queensland made his first origin start at fullback after playing his previous 23 matches on the wing. This was because Billy Slater was sidelined for 8 months in March after a shoulder surgery.

2 - For the first time since 2006, the Maroons had a new coach, with Kevin Walters taking over from Mal Meninga, who famously oversaw the 8 consecutive series victories during his time in charge.

Player Debuts

Game 1

Game 2

Game 3

Residents

8 May 2016
New South Wales 30 - 16 Queensland

Under-20s

13 July 2016
New South Wales 36-22 Queensland

Women's Interstate Challenge

23 July 2016
New South Wales 8 - 4 Queensland

References

  1. ^ "2016 State of Origin Dates, Teams, Crowds, TV Times and Fixtures". rugbyleagueplanet.com. 15 November 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  2. ^ "Referees confirmed for Origin II". 14 June 2016.
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