State Of Origin: Words synonymous with Queensland and New South Wales. Up until 2005 State Of Origin was considered one of the closest fought sporting contests in the world.
In 75 games, NSW won 38 and Queensland 37. In terms of series won overall, Queensland led 14-12. In an even greater anomaly points scored overall favored NSW 1205 against Queensland’s 1174; 31 points difference over 75 games is absolutely astounding. Precious few, if any, rivalries in sport were as closely fought as the State Of Origin was.
Fast forward five years and any semblance of a rivalry is long gone. With the retirement of Andrew Johns, the rise and rise of Queensland dominance is once again upon us. In an almost exact replica of 1980-84 Queensland has dominated all facets of this once great rivalry, winning a record five series in a row.
The unfortunate consequence of this remarkable feat is dwindling interest in what was considered the pinnacle of rugby league, well at least in the eyes of NSW Blues supporters. The saddest aspect of this is that NSW never even looked like winning a series. With every team picked you knew Queensland was going to walk away with the trophy. For too long selectors have picked experienced ‘older’ players and failed to persevere with young talent.
2010 may have seemed no different to previous years, but in terms of potential this is probably the best year NSW has had for a very long time. Brian Smith, perhaps the unluckiest coach in rugby league, has turned the 2009 wooden spooners into grand finalists, something no one would have thought possible.
Should the Roosters go all the way they will be the first team since the 1934 Wests team to do so. In his bid to win a premiership as coach, Smith has also given NSW Blues selectors hope, and the means, to end their losing streak against the Maroons and give the Blues a solid attacking platform in Mitchell Peirce and Todd Carney. In an absolute master stroke of coaching Smith has not only given Peirce a lethal partner in crime but has also freed up Braith Anasta, making his job his job as captain a little easier.
In the space of a few months he has formed the best halves combination in the NRL and given Anasta a new found spark, and is quite possibly in the form of his career.
For too long the Blues have persevered with big, lumbering pivots like Trent Barret and Anasta, neither of which seemed to stifle the Queensland defense. In Todd Carney we see a player that can kick but also has a deceptive step and run. He always puts defenses in two minds, much like Queensland great Darren Lockyer. In doing so you free up the half back to do what he should do best. The only question that remains is whether Carney can make the step up to Origin football, seeing that he has yet to wear the beloved Blue jumper. Surely 2011 will give us the answer whether he can or not.
Mitchell Peirce on the other hand has played for the Blues, and has failed to impress the coaches and fans alike. He has always been a solid player, but seemed to lack that X-Factor that a Thurston, Prince or Cronk brings to the game. However his partnership Carney, and with his new found support play, Peirce not only brings a new found X-Factor with him but brings it in bucket loads when paired with his team mate.
Should Anasta be picked at Lock Forward for the Blues, you now have a 13, 7 and 6 combination all playing for the same club, something not seen since the Bradley Clyde, Ricky Stuart and Laurie Daley days at Canberra. Not only did this group of players win games for their club, they did it for their state also. They bought pride back into the Blues jumper.
If Anasta, Peirce and Carney bring this attacking flair from the Roosters to the Blues, should they be picked and are performing as they are currently, it makes for what could be perhaps the best chance the Blues have since 2005.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Caitlan Johnston copped online abuse which the NSW star labelled "disgusting" ahead of the Women's State of Origin series. Channel Nine's Andrew Johns had…
"He's a winner, his side's on top of the table - where's Parra?"
The Maroons are lucky the women’s State of Origin series has been extended to three matches otherwise the shield would be close to being…
Why are NSW people always so desperate to prove that they “get” Origin, and that Origin means as much south of the Tweed as…
Here's everything you need to know about Women's State of Origin 2022 - from the kick-off time to how to watch and where it will be won.
A frustrated Jack Wighton is tired of talking about racism, after teammates Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker again allegedly copped abuse during an NRL…
