Having won the 2000 NRL Premiership, the Broncos travelled to England to play against 2000's Super League V Champions, St Helens for the 2001 World Club Challenge, with Tuqiri playing on the wing in Brisbane's loss. Tuqiri was one of many players picked by Queensland for their debut appearance during the 2001 State of Origin series. He played in all three matches, scored Queensland's opening try and played impressively throughout the series, which was won by the Maroons. During the season he also went on to play test football for Australia. He was picked to represent Australia against New Zealand, scoring a try in the 28–10 victory in the one-off Test match. Tuqiri was also the Broncos' top try-scorer for the 2001 season with 21, the second highest number of tries scored in a season by a Brisbane player. At the end of the season, he went on the Kangaroo tour.