Sport is built on rivalries, or more precisely the passion, the TV ratings and the outlandish referee conspiracy theories that they create.
While some rivalries are as natural as a dog eating its own poo, others need a bit of a kick up the bum to get things moving.
This weekend will see the second clash between the English rugby-league team and the ‘Exiles’, a side made up of ex-NRL players now nursing Diamond Jubilee hangovers and playing in the ESL.
Last year’s inaugural match saw an entertaining 16-12 win to the Exiles and this year the concept has been expanded to a two-game series.
The big question, however, (apart from which team Rangi Chase will run out for) is whether or not the series will become a mainstay on the rugby-league calendar.
Or will it disappear to join the World Sevens and the War of the Roses at the smouldering ashes of Cumberland Oval in the sky.
On one hand you have the naysayers.
They call the game as useless as a copy of The Sun with page three missing and bemoan the thought of one of their club’s stars getting hurt in such a fixture.
It is easy to understand their argument when you realise that ESL players already play an extraordinarily high number of games each year, with 27 premiership rounds plus the Challenge Cup to contend with.
At the same time, though, it is important to undertsand that rugby league’s State of Origin had opponents to its introduction for very similar reasons.
They said having club-mates face each other was stupidity. They said no-one would care.
Skip forward over thirty years and the series is still going strong, even if NSW’s recent lack of success would be enough to make even Anthony Robbins curl up in bed with a tinny of XXXX and cry himself to sleep.
Each year the series provides rugby league with a much-needed cash injection, plus more biffs, controversy and wacky antics than a Nick D’Arcy photo-shoot.
If the Exiles concept becomes even half as successful as State of Origin, then English rugby league will receive a huge boost.
The game will have another showpiece event and England’s players will receive a chance to play together against quality opposition, hopefully steeling themselves for upcoming Tests against the Kangaroos and Kiwis.
So, will the England versus Exiles series prove its worth?
At this stage the answer is about as certain as Stanley Gene’s real age.
The concept is very much in its infancy and will have to produce results to win over the doubters.
That means good crowds, financial viability, and some better future showings from England’s national team.
If Gareth Hock can take a leaf out of big Artie’s book and smash club team-mate Brett Finch in the face, the series will have a much better chance of survival.
And let’s face it; wouldn’t we all enjoy seeing that?
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.
The Bulldogs are facing a $4 million lawsuit from former player Jackson Topine, after allegedly being forced to wrestle his teammates as punishment for…
Brad Arthur's future as Eels coach is looking more bleak by the round after revelations that club officials refused to allow star signing Zac…
New coach Michael Maguire is considering as many as 50 players for the State of Origin series opener with not even captain James Tedesco…
Round 8’s NRL was a weekend of domination, with an average win margin of 21 points and some teams seeing their finals hopes really…
"Apologise for my appearance as well, boys - I usually look better than this!"
The season is heading into its middle third and there is a clear separation between seven teams who all look playoff bound and the…
