2016 State of Origin series

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]

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 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

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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

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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

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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

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New South Wales Blues

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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

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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

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Game 1

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Game 2

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Game 3

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Residents

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Under-20s

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Women's Interstate Challenge

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References

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  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.