As early as January 2002 it was being reported that the Australian Rugby Union was seeking Tuqiri's signature. His 2002 season was also an impressive one, and he showed much of his renowned strength and speed, setting in round 9 a new club record for most points scored by one player in a single match. Once more he topped the Broncos' try-scoring ladder for the season (along with Darren Lockyer and Chris Walker) and again he represented both Queensland and Australia. Playing in all three games of the 2002 State of Origin series, Tuqiri scored in each match, amassing a total of 28 points. He also became one of a select few players to score a hat-trick in an interstate match. At the 2002 Dally M Awards he was named as winger of the year.