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There is now no doubt that State Of Origin belongs to Queensland.
The team has been dominant for a decade, the coaching staff superior, the selectors policies and corrections delivering the right formula for success and the Queensland populace passion and culture around the series complementing all of this.
How was does NSW respond, counter act and achieve in this climate?
Many talk about emulating Queensland’s success and building structures to copy this framework but perhaps NSW need a different approach to build a more competitive system. At this point in time results are demanded and failure scorned.
Ten years of failure have driven NSW in search of a quick fix often snubbing out a young players origin career long before they hit career form. Combinations and comradery are hard to build over one or two three-match series before a different direction is demanded.
Many of the greats have spoken at length about the damage constant change can cause to a side. This in turn has bred the “loyalty policy” whereas selectors pick and stick and hope for an outcome from the same 17-19 player’s. Unfortunately form is a fickle beast and one kink can bring this policy undone.
What if NSW was to step back into time and build a team around a schedule instead of just the State of Origin series?
Return to playing the touring sides, the positives of an English outfit having a cobweb clearing hit out against a top class outfit before a Four Nations or World Cup could further improve their competitiveness.
With the Australian’s rest year a regular occurrence on the international calendar the opportunity is there for NSW to select 30 players to build a core squad and play in lead up matches or tours against top quality sides and emerging nations.
A team prepared in this fashion could possibly play after the grand final as the Prime Minister’s XIII does or tour behind the Australian squad for northern hemisphere Four Nations. Offer Scotland a pre-tournament hit out before next year’s Four Nations, or play France who struggle to secure constant top level competition.
Spread the league gospel. Tour the USA and Canada and the Pacific, play matches in places top rugby league never reaches out to. Many more games could be played together as a squad and a true team atmosphere could be constructed outside of the brutal arena of State Of Origin.
Origin is a brand and NSW could expand their brand internationally by undertaking these matches and tours. Change is a catalyst in every environment and NSW needs a change that can offer success in Origin and perhaps the monolith of the series is all too consuming for the state at this point in time and a breath of fresh air is needed.
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