<P> Players are selected to represent the Australian state in which they played their first senior rugby league game , hence the name ' state of origin ' . Prior to 1980 players were only selected for interstate matches on the basis of where they were playing their club football at the time . In both 1980 and 1981 there were two interstate matches under the old selection rules and one experimental `` State of Origin '' match . From 1982 onwards a best - of - three match series has been played around the middle of the rugby league season for the State of Origin shield . During the early years , the results were extraordinarily even . However , since 2006 , Queensland has won every series except in 2014 . </P>
<P> Players are selected to represent the Australian state in which they played their first senior rugby league game , hence the name ' state of origin ' . Prior to 1980 players were only selected for interstate matches on the basis of where they were playing their club football at the time . In both 1980 and 1981 there were two interstate matches under the old selection rules and one experimental `` State of Origin '' match . From 1982 onwards a best - of - three match series has been played around the middle of the rugby league season for the State of Origin shield . During the early years , the results were extraordinarily even . However , since 2006 , Queensland has won every series except in 2014 . </P>
who has won the most state of origin
who has won the most state of origin
Queensland
Queensland