Queensland sits on the precipice of notching a tremendous feat; seven Origin series wins in a row. But where would this achievement rate in the all-time history of sport?
The Queensland team of the past seven years has been a special side. Any team that features the likes of Darren Lockyer, Billy Slater, Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston and Greg Inglis, and can win year-in-year-out in a very close two-horse race, is both ridiculously talented and stands out from virtually every other rugby league side ever.
If they can claim victory in Wednesday’s night decider, then they are above every other Queensland Origin team – yes, the ones that featured The King, Alfie and Big Mal himself. If they do win at Suncorp, maybe they are the best league team ever.
The 1982 Kangaroos outfit which won 22 games in a row were pretty handy. ‘The Invincibles’ had fantastic players in every position, perhaps more than any other team. This Australia line-up included the Parramatta trio of Brett Kenny, Peter Sterling, Eric Grothe and Ray Price, Queenslanders Mal Meninga, Wally Lewis and Gene Miles, not to mention Wayne Pearce, Steve Rogers, Steve Mortimer and Max Krilich and many others.
What a team! It’s little surprise they were unbeaten in Britain and France. The strength of international footy versus the Origin arena is a contentious one, but that kind of run and that kind of quality is special in any era.
Then you have the St George side that won 11 grand finals in a row, from 1956 to 1966. That is simply phenomenal. I never saw that team play but to pull off that kind of record, over more than a decade, is fantastic. This team evolved over the years with players coming in and out, but they featured some brilliant footballers.
Ken Kearney, Norm Provan, Billy Wilson, Brian Clay, Eddie Lumsden and Harry Bath were giants of the game, and they were followed by the equally freakish Johnny Raper, Reg Gasnier and Graeme Langlands. This Dragons side achieved something in rugby league that has never been bettered, and in reality, never will.
Moving away from rugby league, and we have just been treated to one of the greatest-ever international football (soccer) teams over the past four years. Spain have just collected their second European Championship title in a row, to go with their 2010 World Cup trophy, an achievement that has never been done before.
They have changed the face of football with their exquisite passing, attacking play and ball movement, and have done it in the most competitive sport in the world, played by more people than any other. The world awaits Brazil 2014 to see if they can be stopped.
Other great international sides include Brazil’s 1970 World Cup winners, which featured Pele, Carlos Alberto, Jairzinho, Tostao, Gerson and Rivelinho. They are probably the only other contenders to match up with today’s all-conquering Spanish XI.
On the club side, the greatest (in my mind), would be the Real Madrid side of the late 50s early 60s. Any team that boasts Di Stefano and Puskas – two of the best ever – is special, but it also included Gento, Del Sol, Canario, Zrraga, Vidal, Pachin, Santamari, Marquitos and Dominguez. Real won the European Cup won five times in a row between 1956 and 1960, something you are unlikely to see again. These were the real galaticos.
Who are the other teams from other sports that could match these sides? Well, the 1977-78 undefeated Australian Schoolboys rugby union team was a fabulous one. The three Ella brothers plus Wally Lewis, Michael O’Connor, Tony Melrose, Michael Hawker and Dominco Vaughan was an amazing assembly of talent that were unbeaten. In rugby union the All Blacks sides of 1905 and 1921 were outstanding, as was the inaugural 1987 World Cup winners.
In basketball, I can’t go past the original Dream Team, USA’s 1992 Olympics squad. Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird were just the tipping point of a team so deep it was insane.
They romped home to the gold medal without breaking a sweat, and apparently their practices where they faced off against each other were more intense than the games against their opposition. A kind of ultimate NBA All-Star game, with all the usual the pomp and glamour stripped away. Oh to be a fly on the wall in Barcelona then.
Of course there has been other fantastic sports in other sports – the 1961 New York Yankees, the 2001-02 Detroit Red Wings, 1927-30 Collingwood side, 1954-60 Melbourne Demons, 1997-2005 Australian cricket team, Don Bradman’s 1948 Invincibles etc etc.
Comparing different sports and different eras remains problematic. But the consideration of greatness, for me, comes down to a few things. Merely being talented is not enough. Ultimate success is paramount, as is prolonged success over time and the ability to take the sport to new heights and change it. The ability to juggle egos in such a quality team, is also important.
The 1974 and 1978 Dutch teams were stacked full of talent and brilliance, making two World Cup finals, but could not make the next step and win either penultimate games. The same goes for the fearsome 1995 All Blacks World Cup outfit.
So over to you Roarers …
Where do you rate this Queensland Origin team among the history of rugby league’s great sides? And across all codes who have been the best of the best, the greatest teams ever in the pantheon of world sport?
The FNQueenslander
Guest
Well, looks like Australian Women's touch footy has it closely followed by USA women's Softball and then Australian womens Netball. So the highly paid blokes have to bow to the Aussie female. The Jordan's, the Pele's and the marauding All Blacks. Seriously, the All Blacks are the scariest side to lace on boots and maraud around the world. Also possibly the greatest chokers. Talking about a side that spoils gee how many opponents have been frustrated by All Black spoiling tactics? Have I yelled at the TV about this? Yes! Did it do any good? No! Did they win Yep! Some truly innovative tactics have been developed in women's touch footy. They don't have the power of the blokes so they have to be smart and work as a really tight team. This game is played by people from the age, I just learnt to run around and hold the footy to the age of, the hips are completely gone. There are mens, womens and mixed teams, internationally. So this game grabs a cross section of the entire community not just discrete bits and can be played on a field, at the beach, in doors and in the snow. It is played all year round. USA Women's team in the Softball World Cup 87.5% then Australian Women's Netball team 76.92% success at Netball World cup. Eat the dirt All Blacks. I say that from the safety of my key board anonymously. I am cheeky not suicidal. The All Black have been doing it lots longer too............ Girls still beat you nah nah! And rot the Bledelole Cup I am going to cry again this year. So the round (see also nancy) ballers, the 2 forms of slash and bash (cricket and baseball) and Basket (see also dribblers) can retire duly embarrassed to the stands. Whilst the Boston Celtics record is truly impressive it is outstripped at the international level by the ladies of OZ playing a game with a funny shaped ball, the Ladies of USA and the not softball at all (get hit by one is so not soft) and the ladies of OZ with Netball. Boys we not doing so good here. The ladies have us 3 for. To the round ballers, watching some of the "Men" and I use that would in the loosest possible context who take "dives" in international contest should take pause before commenting on a game where you cannot hide and if you give them a wiff of weakness you will be become a smear on the grass. Before you go all bent out of shape with either superior or indignant most of the world plays, watches or supports the round ball ........ most of the world thought, agreed was part of life that the world was flat. I believe some minority went and proved that wrong too. You are playing a fast game of chess with a large level of violence in which you are one of the pieces (See also why All Blacks are scary for the last 100 years). Inch of Aluminum in length on each tag, multiple tags on the bottom of each boot, attached to blokes 100+kg, you are on the ground, pinned on the ball and they can ruck you with the boots and that is in the rules of the game. Just think I use to do this and not get paid. Hmmm. Interesting thing is that neither NZ or Australia have had Civil Wars. We both play Rugby League and Rugby Union. Does this mean that one of these is truly the Greatest Game and therefore the greatest team on the planet? Not only in the sporting context but in providing true political stability via allowing our young men to bash the living bajesus out of one another there by providing a calm atmosphere most of the time off the field? Except at Casinos, Pubs, Night Clubs, Restaurants, Hotels, Motels or any other place after the game in which they drink and possibly other substances too much and then do things that are well not nice or respectful. I don't believe any of the women's world cup sides or even a single member of any of the teams have been in trouble with Casino's, pubs, night clubs, restaurants etc. But then again they may not have seen the potentially hotbed of political destabilization that may have been festering in these establishments either.Whereas of course we have all seen the open political destabilization of a lost Round ball match, burning of stadiums, streets, small countries. Just because Round ball players get paid enough to buy small countries doesn't mean they should spring clean them first with fire just to get rid of the current tenants. This does not detract from the greatest game in the universe, being played in the best country on the planet, between the 2 best exponents of the game and the greatest ever side, Queensland rubbing NSW nose in it. If you offered me Olympic gold medal(s), Australian Wallabies spot, or even Best Bloke in the Boudoir or a spot in the Queensland Origin side. I would take the Origin spot every time. To lace on the boots and walk out onto the field and know that you are part of a side that will play for 80mins (not 79.5 mins) dredging up everything they have to have bragging rights over NSW. Bliss! To be able to ring, text, email, skype, sky write or any type of communication to mates in NSW that Queensland beat them, again is just short of heaven. Heaven did arrive this series with Ricky Stewart as coach coupling that with controversial tries was simply better than multiple orgasms on your 99th birthday with quintuplet 18 year brides from Miss Universe (if your are me of course, ladies and gentlemen that are not me I would not presume to know what you would like. Also my wife doesn't agree with me on this point either). Hmmm could smell Ricky's burning frustration from the other side of the country. Which what happens to me when NSW wins. Which is why Origin is so much fun. As you can see I am completely impartial and sane. Therefore should be taken with the appropriate level of seriousness.
E-Dragon
Guest
Greatest teams I have seen by sports International football (soccer) teams - Spain since 2008 Football (soccer) teams - Barca ronaldinho/messi era AFL- 80s hawkes, Jnr+ Bombers cats if only they had beaten hawks 08 and pies 10... such a shame... played so pretty, hard... yet stupid Bball - 90s bulls, ppl say would have been 8 straight if MJ had not retired. However, Hakeem Olajuwons dream shake for those 2 years was more unstoppable than MJs fadeaway MotoGP- Micks repsol team, but for a single season, Casey stoners 2011 Repsol Honda team. If only that clowns ambition had not outweighed his talent, would have been a season of podiums..... World superbike- 2002 season- 2/3 Bayliss on ducati wins 14/17 races, Colin Edward on honda wins final 9 races to win title... Clutch V8 Supercars - Early 90s Gibson GTRs..... Gentleman Jim's youre a pack of aholes. LOL F1- Shumis ferraris, 93 Williams - active suspension Baseball - Mariano Rivera and friends NYYs. your thoughts!!!
SandBox
Roar Guru
D Maaga, i did some research, and it looks like "It has become a truism to describe the 1987 All Blacks as professionals taking on amateurs" and that they hadn't played a game in six months prior. http://www.espnscrum.com/2011-rugby-world-cup/rugby/story/148472.html I stand corrected, thank you for pointing this out. Almost all non-NZ RU supporters will agree that ABs are a great side and one of the greatest sporting sides in the World's history, just that extra leap to the greatest in the whole wide world ever is difficult to swallow.
D Maaga
Guest
the 1987 all blacks were professionals? i must have been working at anzett airfreight with a different john kirwan, steve mcdowell and joe stanley. lol
D Maaga
Guest
and that will even make the kangaroos winning percentage looks like kids play compare to the all blacks.
matt h
Guest
Isn't this all a bit silly. We are comparing a single team / streak, not the entire history of a sport. If you want to compare teams you compare, say the 1924 All Blacks to the 1982 Kangaroos.
League_coach101
Roar Pro
Not sure if you can claim NSW having a much larger talent pool anymore - certanly the number of players who 'qualify' for either state (by whatever dubious means both sides use to find players) would be fairly equal by now? It is interesting that the Maroon's streak of 7 series wins is lauded like it has never happened before... when as some responders have rightly pointed out St George with their ten premiereships in the 1950's - 60's is an obvious comparison... But what about the Bledesloe Cup? The All Blacks will have TEN straight series if they win this year - surely that is an obvious comparison considering it is a two team competition played over a handful of games each year? When the Maroons catch up to the All Blacks then let's start talking 'greatest team of all time'.
wMc
Guest
No where - its a 2 team contest no one else is invited to so it doesn't compare to teams who have to play a lot of diff opponents
al
Guest
All blacks winning percentage 75.36%, kangaroos 68.10%. Source: wikipedia
AIS
Guest
"The intensity and hatred of these 2 sides NSW and Queensland is unmatched in World sport." You seriously need to get out and leave Australia for some travelling. How many sports have you ever followed other than nrl? Australia is a small fish in the big pond that is the world. I'm not saying that you should leave your tiny bubble, but I can't let you get away with such stupidity in your comments.
AIS
Guest
You mean the world outside NSW/QLD/(south auckland?)/crappiest place in england.
Joshyyboi
Guest
What about Arsenals 'Invincibles'?
SandBox
Roar Guru
Here I was thinking it was JL rugby GL HF xD
nzmate
Guest
Is that the same 'ego rapping garbage' as the over inflated hype and headlines being bandied around for a state rugby league game? These are a selection of article headlines from just the last couple of weeks for origin: Where do Maroons sit in sport’s best-ever teams? State of Origin is more than just a game How to improve the greatest game of all International rugby league could be huge Time to take State of Origin on tour trash talk is endemic on this site - so you can put it away. All blacks fans have a right to be proud of their teams record and certainly it seems their winning record (in a reasonably competitive team sport) is right up there. Just like the kangaroos are impressive in league. Nice one, but will have to plug a few more hours of Mobile Suit Gundam before bed.
John Davidson
Roar Guru
Anakin, that's a good one. Didn't know that stat, very impressive. On the tone of this post, I wasn't comparing historiws of teams, say all-time Kangaroos vs All Blacks, for example. I was more looking at certain teams in periods, like the 1987 All Blacks, 2008-2012 Spanish team or 1956-66 St George team. Yes, QLD only has one opponent and its only a three game series each year, so it makes it harder to compare. But considering how closes these series always are, and that NSW has a much bigger talent pool, its still a fair achievement if the Maroons do win 7 in a row.
Gav
Guest
The thing that fascinates about the All Blacks is the fact they have been so successful over a period of time and they represent such a small nation. There are a lot of similarities between the All Blacks and Uruquay football -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
SandBox
Roar Guru
As previously posted. Its is only Kiwis that push the best team ever in the world dogma, and then talk about how modest they are! No other country is saying it. First I heard of this claim was Slur Henry before the RWC, before! At that time they had a worse record than SA in amateur era, and they had won 1 of 6 RWC. The first one they fielded a pro (amateur in name only) team against other teams whose players actually had to hold a job. Hardly a dominant record. Even now with 2 from 7, is also not dominant. Kiwis who contiually hijack threads with this ABs drivel, please do us all a favour and go back to your true mistress, the gaming console. We don't need to hear this ego-rapping garbage.
Andrew Tilley
Roar Pro
Good article, but Qld only play 3 games a year and that is against the same team each time. Qld's team over the last 7 years has been great, but lets not pretend that NSW has had a strong team. Too hard to compare a Qld SOO team with a club team from any sport around the world, or even an international team for that matter who plays well and truly more than 3 games a year against different opposition.
Anakin
Guest
The Australian Womens open touch football team have NEVER lost a game at World Cup level; and have lost only 2 international tests also in that period ... dating back to 1985! Thats 7 x World Cup events without a loss ... no mean feat in any sport.
Pot Stirrer
Guest
No Doubt they are a great side but how can u compare what they have achieved even in pure rugby league terms against the Dragons winning 11 straight competitions.