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, and their last until 2014.

Quick Facts Won by, Series margin ...

2005 State of Origin series
Won by	New South Wales (12th title)
Series margin	2-1
Points scored	140
Attendance	187,309 (ave. 62,436 per match)
Player of the series	Anthony Minichiello
Top points scorer(s)	Cameron Smith (18)
Top try scorer(s)	Matt Bowen Matt King (3)
← 2004 State of Origin series 2006 →

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The Wally Lewis Medal for Player of the Series was awarded to New South Wales' fullback, Anthony Minichiello.^[1] 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.

More information Queensland, 24 – 20 ...

Queensland	24 – 20	New South Wales
Tries: Ty Williams (20') 1 Michael Crocker (48') 1 Matt Bowen (84') 1 Goals: Cameron Smith 5/5 (7' pen, 18' pen, 21', 34' pen, 50') Darren Lockyer 0/1 Field Goals: Darren Lockyer 1/3 (40') Johnathan Thurston 1/1 (78')	1st: 13 - 0 2nd: 7 - 20 g.p.: 4 - 0 (Report)	Tries: Luke Rooney (52') 1 Mark Gasnier (61') 1 Craig Fitzgibbon (68') 1 Danny Buderus (71') 1 Goals: Craig Fitzgibbon 2/3 (69', 72') Brett Kimmorley 0/1

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The crowd of 52,484 people at Suncorp Stadium was a record for the ground at the time. 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.

More information New South Wales, 32 – 22 ...

New South Wales	32 – 22	Queensland
Tries: Anthony Minichiello (15', 44') 2 Steve Menzies (48') 1 Matt Cooper (59') 1 Danny Buderus (76') 1 Goals: Andrew Johns 3/3 (46', 50', 61') Craig Fitzgibbon 3/3 (15', 18' pen, 78')	1st: 8 - 12 2nd: 24 - 10 (Report)	Tries: Brad Thorn (23') 1 Billy Slater (32') 1 Matt Bowen (69') 1 Petero Civoniceva (80') 1 Goals: Cameron Smith 3/4 (24', 34', 80')

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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.^[6] This game opened with the Blues sustaining immense pressure on their own line for the opening 15 minutes of the match before breaking through for a try to Minichiello to open the scoring.

More information Queensland, 10 – 32 ...

Queensland	10 – 32	New South Wales
Tries: Johnathan Thurston (74') 1 Matt Bowen (77') 1 Goals: Cameron Smith 1/2 (75')	1st: 0 - 18 2nd: 10 - 14 (Report)	Tries: Matt King (31', 47', 64') 3 Braith Anasta (21') 1 Mark Gasnier (27') 1 Timana Tahu (53') 1 Goals: Andrew Johns 3/5 (22', 29', 48') Craig Fitzgibbon 1/2 (9' pen)

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After 25 years the 2005 decider was the 75th game between the two sides, with 36 wins for each side.^[10] 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 ninth player (and fourth New South Welshman) to score a hat-trick in State of Origin.^[11]

• 2005 NRL season