The cries of our Tasman brothers are being heard loud and clear: the Polynesians and kiwi Rugby League players say they want to play State of Origin footy. But the question is why can’t they play State of Origin, Kiwi style?
For too long this debate rages when State of Origin permeates the air, but the debate should be brought forward, these questions should be asked now.
We have seen this with the success of the promotion of the NRL Dreamtime v All-Stars game; every channel covers the latest updates (whereas this doesn’t happen for the AFL game played in Darwin or Alice Springs).
So why not have a discussion on behalf of our white cloud neighbours, why not discuss the possibility of having a North Island vs South Island game – an Island of Origin – every year.
Rugby League is played mainly on the North Island, but nonetheless a game between the two islands would attract much fanfare amongst the Kiwis, and even amongst Australian League fans.
Although the NZRL are looking at bringing in the ‘Kiwi Roots’ game, this is a disadvantage to the game across New Zealand in general, as this game is played between Auckland and the rest of the country. Whereas an ‘Island of Origin’ would bring the whole country into rivalry, not just Auckland verses the rest.
The game would spread further afield, and become entrenched in the New Zealand sporting calendar as something that brings the whole country together in rivalry. It would attract more people to the game, along with more media coverage.
The game would have to be played only once a year initially, but may end up being played three times. It would have to be played either at the start of the league calendar or at the end. All in all it is a good move for the game in New Zealand, and internationally.
Bam Bam
Roar Guru
I disagree, look at the last game of last year. Hodges was ready to kill a blue man in the dying minutes, and I am a Queenslander born in 88, so I am meant to be less passionate, yet I find I'm more passionate, I love the game, and I hate (in a sporting way) NSW, and you can see the rivalry still exists, we QLDers wanna be a different country sometimes (or at least separated further from NSW), and may be you could have the winners of both interstate/island playing off each other at the end of the year or something. Just don't mess with State of Origin, QLDers love it too much.
chook
Roar Rookie
I think its a top idea, but I think you will find that every single league player in NZ would give league up for a chance to play in a All Blacks side. I was listening to Wally Lewis this mornign talking about Origin in the 80s and it really was all about a great team (Qld) playing a great group of individual players (NSW). It really was a them v us attitude but with the NRL, ARL and the nation game being introduced there is a lack of fire when the Qlders play NSW maybe bring another team in will spark a fire in the belly once again. The crowds are still awesome and the football to class, but the biff is no longer there. ;)
Crosscoder
Guest
King of the GGees Hate to dampen your fire re South island.In fact the National Provincial Final was played at Rugby League Park Christchurch on 4th Oct 2009 .Canterbury won 26-20 against Auckland. Based on your revealing "non existant" premise, the Aucklanders must have been playing the phantoms in a Sth Island cemetry.
Mushi
Guest
Why screw with state of origin
jordan
Guest
wow why so negitive? everything you just claimed is totally untrue. league may not be as popular as union but to say it isnt popular at all and only played in south auckland is totally ridiculous! the warriors arnt the joke of nz, only two seasons ago they went one game away from the nrl grandfinal.. and you say netball cricket and watersports rates higher than league in nz.. im amazed by this. Billy the Hunted One, you are the laughing of NZ!
oikee
Guest
Who needs the south island, its full of scots and poms anyhow. PNG are starting to play international games against island nations. I watched them last year and they are very entertaining. NZ just needs another team in maybe Wellington, one day, no rush, rugby league has plenty on its platter.
oikee
Guest
The whole idea is for the south island to get flogged, keep flogging them until they get cheesed off. :) Then you have your battle.
King of the Gorganites
Guest
there are no RL players in the south island. the game is non-existant down there.
Ora
Roar Rookie
I guess when one has nothing to say in response to their allegations getting blown apart the next best thing is to go in and negate those commetns which showed said poster for the fraud they are, whilst promoting the positive count of ones own post. Thankfully Travis, the system allows for others to vote too and that can be seen here from the negative count against some of your ridiculous allegations
markwakefield
Guest
that jersey is hideous...
markwakefield
Guest
i was talking about rugby league not that game they play on the north shore... this is a league forum... there are lot more islanders in the game these days in rl... the rule changes over the years have meant that there somatatype is more suitable to the game... its not a racial complaint but a comnplaint about the style of game that has resulted from the rule changes and subsequently lead to more islanders playing the game... bring back the five metre rule....
Ora
Guest
Don't let facts and evidence cloud your judgement now Travis, Amazing how you've disappeared since your allegation was shot out of the water
chris
Guest
I would rather see International Rugby League suffer and just include New Zealand and the Pacific Island's in the State of Origin against the tiresome same old N.S.W.'s and Qld.
Justin
Guest
Didnt you see, Travis said he is right, so he must be ;) Funny how the facts tend to quieten the experts :)
Ora
Guest
You obviously know little about New Zealand rugby hence your comments re white guys in the team. I don’t like to segregate people but for your enlightenment I will once again break it down for you Caucasians in the All Blacks = Dan Carter, Richie McCaw, Andrew Ellis, Brendan Leonard, Conrad Smith, Ben Smith, Jimmy Cowan, Adam Thompson, Brad Thorn, Bryn Evans, Antony Boric, Andrew Hore, Kieran Reid, Tom Donelly, Wyatt Crockett, Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock Caucasians with a touch of Maori blood – Aled de Malmanche, Jason Eaton, Corey jane, Owen Franks Maori – Liam Messam, Tamati Ellison, Hosea Gear, Mike Delany, Zac Guildford, Piri Weepu, Luke MacCalistar, Issaac Ross, Tanerau Latimer Melanesian – Sitiveni Sivivatu, Joe Rokocoko Polynesian – Kevin Mealamu (NZ Born), Ma’a Nonu (Nz Born)John Afoa (NZ Born), Neemia Tialata (NZ Born), Leila Masaga (NZ Born) Rudi Wulf (NZ Born) Rodney So’oialo(U10), Isaia Toeava (U10), Mils Muliaina(2) Jerome kaino (U10) U10 = Under age of 10 when moved to NZ So going by this it throws your accusation completely out of the water. I think before posting you should really do your homework.
Ora
Guest
Cheers J I did post this earlier but seems the moderators have gone to sleep So I'll cut and paste it Are you really that ignorant or are you just playing up for the thread. you obviously know little about New Zealand rugby hence your comments re white guys in the team. I don’t like to segregate people but for your enlightenment I will once again break it down for you Caucasians in the All Blacks = Dan Carter, Richie McCaw, Andrew Ellis, Brendan Leonard, Conrad Smith, Ben Smith, Jimmy Cowan, Adam Thompson, Brad Thorn, Bryn Evans, Antony Boric, Andrew Hore, Kieran Reid, Tom Donelly, Wyatt Crockett, Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock Caucasians with a touch of Maori blood – Aled de Malmanche, Jason Eaton, Corey jane, Owen Franks Maori – Liam Messam, Tamati Ellison, Hosea Gear, Mike Delany, Zac Guildford, Piri Weepu, Luke MacCalistar, Issaac Ross, Tanerau Latimer Melanesian – Sitiveni Sivivatu, Joe Rokocoko Polynesian – Kevin Mealamu (NZ Born), Ma’a Nonu (Nz Born)John Afoa (NZ Born), Neemia Tialata (NZ Born), Leila Masaga (NZ Born) Rudi Wulf (NZ Born) Rodney So’oialo(U10), Isaia Toeava (U10), Mils Muliaina(2) Jerome kaino (U10) U10 = Under age of 10 when moved to NZ So going by this it throws your accusation completely out of the water. I think before posting you should really do your homework. No one likes a troll Travis
Jerry
Guest
What's a majority? In the last test the AB's played last year the following starting players are European with no Maori or PI blood - Smith, Carter, Cowan, Read, McCaw, Donnelly, Thorn, Hore, Woodcock. That's 8 out of 15. Then there's Cory Jane who I believe has some Maori ancestry but obviously a fair amount of European in him. Either way, the 'white players' are either a majority of the starting lineup or more often than not the largest ethnic group in the team. So they're neither rare, nor a minority.
Travis
Guest
Um - I said the majority of All Blacks are no longer white. I am right.
Jerry
Guest
Um - he did name a bunch of white guys, including the best two players in the team.
Ora
Guest
Travisco see above