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Nothing quite stirs up the passion within a rugby league fan like State of Origin. Emotion – and in particular, the emotion of hate – plays a large part in rugby league, especially its crown jewel of Origin.
> Five greatest NSW Blues State of Origin villains.
Come this time of year, fans on both sides of the border raise their level of vitriol towards the opposing team and neighbouring state.
But over the years, there have been certain individuals that have caused the blood to boil even higher than normal.
The villains.
Both states have had their fair share, and today I’ll list the top five Queenslanders that New South Welshmen have loved to hate. And let me tell you, it was no easy task whittling this list down to a mere five names.
And in a sign of just how villainous the Maroons have been over the years, Darius Boyd can’t even crack a spot in this elite squad…
5. Adriam Lam
Lam’s inclusion may be a shock to some people, until you remember that he was the undisputed titleholder of the ‘biggest whinger in rugby league history’.
In fact, it’s a little known fact that Lam had to be surgically removed from three separate referee’s ears.
Lam’s face was perpetually screwed up in ‘cry baby’ mode like he had just sucked on a kilo of lemons, and the defining memory of him at Origin – at least in NSW – is blowing up as Gorden Tallis was sent from the field for calling Bill Harrigan a cheat during the 2000 series.
Like the rest of the people on this list, Lam would consider it a badge of honour to be hated by NSW.
4. Chris Close
‘Choppy’ makes this list for the simple reason that he would be absolutely mortified if he didn’t, such is his own hatred for everything south of the Tweed.
The owner of the first two State of Origin man-of-the-match awards, Close was a devastating centre, and his passion in the early Origin encounters played a large role in the success of the concept.
He truly loved being a NSW villain, and NSW truly hated him for it.
A few years ago, I bumped into Close during a night out. I instinctively called out ‘Queenslander’, and he gave me a high five.
When he asked where I was from in Queensland, I replied that I was actually from NSW. Close’s demeanour changed immediately, and I hastily retreated before both of us were front page news the next day.
Needless to say, Choppy still hates the Blues. And we still hate him.
3. Justin Hodges
The only member of the current Maroons squad to make the final cut, Hodges reputation as a premier sledger ensures his place among these other all-time villains.
Never shy of a word, or a cutting comment, Hodges is a master of psychological warfare and mental disintegration of an opponent.
In fact, sometimes he doesn’t even have to use his acid tongue to inflict mental pain upon the Blues.
Once, when playing against Danny Buderus, Hodges pointed at hooker Cameron Smith and held up two fingers.
The message was clear: after long being considered the best number nine in rugby league, Buderus was now number two behind Smith.
As a proud and tough footballer, the truth would have cut Buderus deep. But it also illustrated that Hodges has no issue in being the bad guy, a role he plays to perfection.
2. Gorden Tallis
Big Gordy was easy to hate for the simple reason that he hated NSW even more. He played with such ferocity, such fury, and such unbridled passion, that you honestly felt as if he would die on the football field if it meant beating the Blues.
They didn’t call him the ‘Raging Bull’ for nothing, and his bustling runs or monstrous tackles ensured that his presence was felt in nearly every Origin game he played.
The iconic footage of him yanking Brett Hodgson over the sidelines is one of the most memorable in Origin history, and though his place in list of Origin villains was assured without it, the lasting images of it, and how much enjoyed it, sealed his position.
1. Wally Lewis
Though he may have been known as the ‘Emperor of Lang Park’ up north, in Sydney he went by a much shorter nickname that rhymes with ‘banker’. And New South Wales crowds weren’t shy of chanting it out in unison and ad nauseam.
While it may not have seemed it at the time, the booing, hissing and chanting was the ultimate sign of respect. No Maroon has struck more fear into New South Welshmen than ‘The King’.
He had an uncanny knack of delivering exactly what was required at exactly the right time, be it a big hit, a rampaging run, a booming kick, a deft pass, or whatever other big play that was needed.
No player loved the big stage more, and no player delivered on the big stage more: he still owns a record eight Origin man-of-the-match awards. He was unquestionably one of the greatest players of all-time, and arguably the greatest Origin footballer of all-time.
Such lofty titles will always ensure that the opposition view you as the ultimate villain.