<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>
what determines which state of origin team you play for
what determines which state of origin team you play for
the Australian state in which they played their first senior rugby league game
the Australian state in which they played their first senior rugby league game