Over the past six years the humiliation of the New South Wales Blues in the State of Origin has been the best thing that could have happened to Origin football and indeed the whole rugby league world.
I’m not saying this as a parochial Queenslander, who is happy to see New South Wales get smashed again and again. I’m saying it as a New South Wales fan who feels a bitter emptiness at the end of every State of Origin campaign.
First, let’s dispel some myths.
Queensland’s dominance is not a result of any kind of tactical brilliance on the part of the Maroons’ organisation and structure.
Their success boils down to one simple fact: most of the world’s best rugby league players in the past six years have been Queenslanders.
The likes of Thurston, Cronk, Smith, Slater and of course Lockyer constitute what is probably the strongest side we’ll ever see wearing the maroon jumper.
Both New South Wales and Queensland fans should consider themselves privileged to have watched such a side play, during what will be considered a golden age of Origin football.
Believe me – it won’t always be this way.
Let me offer an analogy.
In the fourth century BC the most powerful country in the world was a small nation called Macedonia. Its armies conquered everything from Southern Europe all the way to India (most of the known world at the time) in a little under ten years.
Talented military strategists, led by a true military genius of history in Alexander the Great, had achieved the impossible.
Within a generation it was all gone – once the talent was no longer there, the country lost its empire and in the end its freedom.
I’m not saying Queensland with be conquered by the Roman Army in a few years (although anything is possible). I’m simply saying the current situation is one we should respect and enjoy because it won’t last forever.
Queensland’s domination has been brilliant for several other reasons.
As mentioned above we have all had the honour of watching the best players in the world playing their best football.
This has, I hope, finally rid Queensland rugby league of its underdog status.
How the next 30 years of Origin will play out, I’m not sure. But it will be a different Queensland due the success of this team. (Think of the Maroons as being Apple to the Blues’ Microsoft.)
The Queensland team has, for the most part, been brilliant role models for young footy players. They will continue to ensure the growth of the code, not only in Queensland but in New South Wales, where there is a solid grudging respect for the Maroons.
Just as the Queenslanders can no longer claim underdog status, New South Wales can no longer assume an arrogant attitude of being number one in rugby league.
The arrogance of New South Wales-based league administrators has been a blight on the game. The humiliation of the Blues year after year has surely shattered that complacent attitude.
Origin has never been so strongly supported in New South Wales, because finally the fans can enjoy something they have never experienced before – underdog status.
The New South Wales public might be frustrated that we can’t beat this land of giants, but underneath that frustration is a growing ambition and satisfaction in relishing the fight.
The New South Wales Blues have also grown in stature.
As little as a couple of years ago, players were putting club before Origin, saying they would make themselves unavailable for the Blues because of the lack of respect for the team.
That attitude doesn’t seem to be around anymore; playing for New South Wales is assuming its rightful stature.
The New South Wales public loves the debate which occurs every year around Origin time.
Finally, nothing brings a community together like losing together.
What was the greatest moment in recent British history? The answer is 1940. The Battle of Britain.
Through sheer guts and determination the massive might of Nazi Germany was held off and Britain was saved against terrible odds.
So six years of failure has reaped enormous benefit. And in the future we may well look back on this era as the golden age of Origin.
But of course, six years is quite enough.
DragonMik
Guest
You'd think the fowards would be a bit different, as in Harrison won't be there. And who will be the winger instead of Yow Yeh.
Carlos
Guest
Your wrong Gaz, and it really is that simple. It has been impossible for NSW to compete against QLDs freedom to draw from teams that clearly aren't playing with the restrictions as the NSW teams. Interesting when you look at it. If the storm were over the cap it becomes impossible to believe that the Broncos haven't been over the cap this whole time, particularly as It its now being reported Lockyer was on a million a season. If you look at NRL comp over the last 6 years the Broncos and Storm have been the two most impossibly consistent dominate teams. There is no coincidence between this and QLD dominance in Origin over the last 6 years where QLD have been stacked with Broncos and Storm players 2006 Series QLD 9 Broncos players ( 9!! was I the only one suspicious at this time) 2 Storm (Smith Inglis) NSW 4 Dragons (Hornby playing 1 game) 2007 Series QLD 8 Broncos 4 Storm NSW 4 Knights 2008 Series QLD 6 Broncos 6 Storm +3 former Storm/Broncos players NSW 4 Knights 4 Storm (Steve Turner & A Quinn good one coach Bellamy) 2009 Series QLD 5 Broncos 5 Storm +5 former Storm/Broncos players NSW 4 Manly - This Series Bellamy uses 30 players! to QLD 21 2011 Series QLD 6 Broncos 5 Storm +4 former Storm/Broncos players NSW 6 Dragons - the one season we looked almost a chance
Gaz
Guest
Regardless Planko, he could score the winning try for the Maroons - go you good things!
PLANKO
Guest
Really if QLD was so organised why did it take Manly to offer DCE a contract of 85k per year after all he was playing in QLD Cup for Christsake.... Are you telling me that the noone had room in their cap I am sure FNQ cowboys paid more that wife beating LUI ! If QLD really saw DCE as the Next thing coming through how did he leave the state. It not like we outbid anyone for DCE.
The Bush
Roar Guru
"I will accept the idea that Qld definitely has a stronger league culture than NSW. NSW’s history might be stronger, but Qlder’s feel a stronger affinity with the league culture they have. Call that pride or whatever, but it just means that every year, NSW aren’t just trying to beat a great rugby league team, but also a great culture of the game that has been ingrained into its players." I think you'll find that Queenslanders have a stronger "culture" about being from Queensland in general, not just in Rugby League. Half the reason the Reds failed for so many years is the administrators couldn't understand why people didn't want to play for Queensland for free. I think "statism" goes a little further up here in Queensland than it does down in NSW. Finally, as the "First State" and the most populous, with Sydney as a capital, it is very difficult to see how NSW could ever be the underdog in any inter-state contest in any sport, just about anyway.
Gaz
Guest
Queensland will be the same side as last year less Lockyer, Cronk will come off the bench into the starting side and Cherry- Evans will come onto the bench. Bit frightening isn't it? It's called being organized Coach.
Gaz
Guest
Agreed, but then team mates have always been considered in rep games. Nothing new there. NSW can do the same I.e. Gidley, Mullen, Buderus etc But really Carlos you guys have got to come up with better reasons for not winning then "salary cap" and "Inglis is really from NSW" it's not that simple.
Carlos
Guest
NSW has had the same development camps / training sessions, big difference is that Qld players are all well acquainted with each others games due to all being club mates...unfortunately NSW teams have had a salary cap ....
Charles
Guest
You must be joking League Coach! Ricky Stuart is a big part of the problem We have the players in NSW if we select wisely Instead we chop and change in the wrong areas and keep players clearly not up to Origin Sure we are light on the front row and 1/2 back but we can do what Qld do and manufacture one Qld are good because they do their homework and select on merit and not because it is their mate! The fact some of our good players do not want to represent NSW indicates there is a problem that needs to be addressed
League_coach101
Roar Pro
Didn't NSW hold an emerging Blues camp earlier this year similar to the ones Queensland have been holding for years? I'd be happy to see Tricky coaching with assistance from all the names mentioned above. As for picking the side - let's be honest. There are certain players for NSW who know they will be playing (bar injury). There are certain players for QLD who know they will be playing (bar injury). Neither side has named a team or entered camp. The players are spread out around the country and a lot of them will have ANZAC Test duty to do before they worry about Origin. It's not like QLD are hiding in a bunker somewhere with the team ready to go...
Gaz
Guest
Those "Mickey Mouse" sessions are creating the Qld Origin players of tomorrow I.e. Tonga for when Inglis or Hodges give it away or get hurt. Coach 101, with all due respect, you are displaying the attitude with comments like that, NSW has to overcome before they even begin to build a side they so desperately need to perform consistently year in year out as Qld has. NSW has in the past taken Qld to cheaply that has allowed the Qldlanders confidence to grow, the players to become better and harder to beat. Throw in a half a dozen different coaches, dozens of different players mostly out of position and a reluctance to hold "Mickey Mouse" training sessions and bazinga, guess what, a month out from the game and you don,t know yet who's playing. It's not rocket science as they say or ancient history, you need to start from the top down and I'm really not sure Ticky is your man, he needs a hand from Gus and co, Hasler and Bellamy not Daley and Fittler.
League_coach101
Guest
"You can talk about ancient history or Star Wars or whatever you like, therein lies your problem. Also don’t forget when deciding who the underdogs are, NSW have and always have had far and away more players to choose from then Qld." You reckon? I'm not sure that this is true anymore. Queensland has really become THE Rugby League State. Go to Southern NSW and League has been wiped out. I'd contend that as far as players to choose from the States are more even than they have been in the past. Also - it's not like the Maroons have been training week in week out - these players have club committments first and foremost. I don't think we need worry two much about a couple of Mickey Mouse training sessions during the Christmas break.
Gaz
Guest
Somebody said it the other day, Qld have been preparing for this years Origin series for the past 7 months, remember Esi Tonga was in strife for not turning up to a training session over Christmas break or what have you and NSW are yet to pick a side. You can talk about ancient history or Star Wars or whatever you like, therein lies your problem. Also don't forget when deciding who the underdogs are, NSW have and always have had far and away more players to choose from then Qld. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Carlos
Guest
hahaha ..Bellamy as the slightly gay robot?
BennO
Guest
Gold!
Ken
Guest
I think that the idea that the NSW should be Manly based is a bit of a long stretch. This team have managed 2 premierships in 3 GF appearance over the last 5 seasons which is a great effort - the 2008 Grand Final especially is one of their grandest moments. For all that though they haven't really been a dominant team, even when they haven't been raided at Origin time they've only managed 1 minor premiership over that period - which is more than most teams but you'd expect better from those 3 GF's in 5 years. Last year's premiership too would have to be the easiest finals run in memory, an out of puff Cowboys, a beat-up Lockyer-less Broncos and the Warriors who were the classic 'played their GF a week early' team. OK, sounds like I'm on a rant against Manly and I'm sure I've stirred up someone with all that but that wasn't really my intention (just a happy bonus :-)). What I'm really trying to say though is they've had a good few years but they are by no account a dominant team rampaging through the competition year after year.
League_coach101
Roar Pro
No no Tom you've got that all wrong. QLD - clelarly Mordor with Inglis being Sauramon (sp?) the secret QLD hiding in NSW territory. also QLD is the old Galactic Republic - NSW is the remains of a Jedi - a rag tag bunch of players trying desperately to beat a powerful opponent. My analogy is much more supported by the facts - the NSW blues have fielded a Princess, a farm boy, a cocky young pilot and a slightly gay robot... OR NSW Blues resemble a dwarf, an elf, two four hobbits and a wizard less powerful than his reputation suggests (Ricky)
League_coach101
Roar Pro
I can agree with most of your points. I certainly don't think we're going to enter a phase of NSW winning 3 or 4 in a row. The next decade will probably see NSW and QLD winning fairly evenly.
League_coach101
Roar Pro
Definitely agree about the half back. That's NSW's biggest problem. Maybe Adam Reynolds can be developed into a class half? Of course it probably turn out he has a second cousin from Queensland... Doesn't help that the best no #9 is from QLD and the 2nd best from NZ!
League_coach101
Roar Pro
It's hard to leave a cult too - doesn't make it right. :)