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Welcome to The Roar‘s coverage of the 2021 State of Origin series, including news, previews, video, highlights and team announcements. Queensland are the defending champions in both competitions, having won the 2020 men’s series 2-1 and the standalone women’s match.
The 2021 series will return to its tradition mid-year timeslot after the previous iteration was held after the NRL season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the official dates and times for the series are yet to be confirmed, the timing of bye weeks in the NRL and Representative Round indicate Game 1 will be played on June 9, Women’s Origin on June 25, Game 2 on June 27 and Game 3 on July 14. Venues for all four matches haven’t been announced.
Game
Date
Venue
Game 1
Wed, Jun 9
MCG
Women’s Origin
Fri, Jun 25
TBC
Game 2
Sun, Jun 27
Suncorp Stadium
Game 3
Wed, Jul 14
Stadium Australia
Past Origin series
2020 State of Origin series
Unique in that it was played on consecutive Wednesdays in November due to the pandemic, the 2020 State of Origin series was won 2-1 by Queensland, with Cameron Munster winning the Wally Lewis medal for player of the series.
The Maroons won Game 1 18-14, the Blues cruised to a 34-10 victory in Game 2, and Queensland sealed the series with a 24-18 win in the decider in Game 3.
Game
Date
Result
Game 1
Wed, Nov 4
Queensland 18 def. NSW 14
Game 2
Wed, Nov 11
NSW 34 def. Queensland 10
Women’s Origin
Fri, Nov 13
Queensland 24 def. NSW 18
Game 3
Wed, Nov 18
Queensland 20 def. NSW 14
2019 State of Origin series
The NSW Blues won the 2019 State of Origin series thanks to a last-minute try by player of the series James Tedesco.
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That try saw the Blues secure a 26-20 victory after scores were level with just moments to go in the match, and brought NSW back-to-back series wins for the first time since 2005.
NSW had previously recorded a dominant victory in Game 2 by 32 points in Perth, after Queensland won the series opener in Brisbane 18-14.
2018 State of Origin series
The 2018 State of Origin series was won 2-1 by New South Wales, the Blues lifting the Origin Shield for the first time since 2014 thanks to wins in Games 1 and 2.
Queensland restored some pride in the final match of the 2018 State of Origin series, defeating the NSW Blues 18-12 at Suncorp Stadium.
In his final year of Origin, Maroons fullback Billy Slater was controversially awarded the Wally Lewis Medal for the best player of the series despite missing Game 1 through injury.
The fixtures and results for the 2018 State of Origin series were as follows:
