The 2018 State of Origin series was the 37th annual best-of-three series between the Queensland and New South Wales rugby league teams. Before this series, Queensland had won 21 times, NSW 13 times, with two series drawn. The 2018 series was won by New South Wales, after winning the first 2 games of the series, their first since 2014, and their second since 2005.[1]
Kevin Walters coached Queensland for the third year in a row, while New South Wales were coached by Brad Fittler after he replaced Laurie Daley in November 2017.[2]
1 - New South Wales named a record 11 debutants for Game 1
1 - In Game I, Billy Slater was originally selected at fullback for Queensland but had to withdraw due to an injury. He was replaced at fullback by Michael Morgan, with Anthony Milford coming on to the bench as a replacement.
2 - Greg Inglis took over the captaincy for the Maroons after the retirement from rep football of Cameron Smith. A thumb injury after Game 2 meant Billy Slater would take over the role for Game 3.
3 - Daly Cherry-Evans made his return to State of Origin, named for his first start at halfback since Game 2 of the 2015 series.
4 - Billy Slater would controversially be awarded with the Wally Lewis Medal for Player of the Series, despite only appearing in two out of the three games in a team that lost the series. The NRL changed the process for deciding the award the following year.
Cap no. 268, Josh Addo-Carr Cap no. 269, Reagan Campbell-Gillard Cap no. 270, Nathan Cleary Cap no. 271, Damien Cook Cap no. 272, Jack de Belin Cap no. 273, Latrell Mitchell Cap no. 274, James Roberts Cap no. 275, Tom Trbojevic Cap no. 276, Angus Crichton Cap no. 277, Tyrone Peachey Cap no. 278, Paul Vaughan
Cap no. 194, Andrew McCullough Cap no. 195, Felise Kaufusi Cap no. 196, Jai Arrow Cap no. 279, Matt Prior Cap no. 197, Kalyn Ponga Cap no. 280, Tariq Sims