Those south of the border will most likely tell me to “bugger off, we don’t need your help” and perhaps even call me a traitor. Well they will now anyway, for I am a Queenslander at heart.
But I was born a cockroach, a NSW Blue. Even the thought of being born in Liverpool, NSW just makes me sick.
I can only recall being in Liverpool once. I went down for my cousin’s wedding.
When my parents pulled up at a set of lights, I then see this car pull up right next to us and the people inside quite literally start giving the finger, then pull down their pants to show me their backside. All while wearing a NSW jumper.
Granted, it was just after NSW had won the State of Origin series.
“Typical,” Mum said.
I was 13 years old at the time and they confirmed my disgust and pure hatred for those south of the border; a disaffection reserved for Origin time.
Actually all the time, but not if they live in Queensland. Queensland is ok, because at least then if the Blues win I won’t get mauled.
What didn’t help my cause while sitting in the car was the fact I was wearing a Maroons jumper and I looking directly at them.
They must have been trying to show me how good NSW were considering it was the last time a Blues team actually won a series.
2005, funnily enough, was my first year of high school. Now I am 21 and I don’t think I can recall a series victory ever. 2005 seems quite fuzzy.
I think back then they had a guy named Fred and a Joey playing? And then nothing since.
Hmm, they probably all quit knowing Queensland would then dominate for seven years straight.
My mates that are from south of the border and haven’t changed to go for Queensland are quite amusing. If Queensland isn’t bringing me joy then they are, because the jokes they come up with leave me rolling around on the floor.
“Oh the better team lost, you only beat us by a field goal.” Yes, but even your best ever side couldn’t beat us on a bad day.
“Those Greg Inglis and Justin Hodges tries weren’t actual tries.” Is that right? The scoreboard doesn’t say otherwise.
It’s not hard to fend off these weak attempts at attacking the Maroons wins.
Living in Queensland is like heaven. The sun is shining, the football gods are smiling. We are the heartland of rugby league and yet still poach players south of the border. Fans too.
Might I add my mother, father, grandfather, grandmother and two uncles were all born south of the border and… that’s right you guessed it. They’re Queenslanders!
Now I don’t know their reason and it probably isn’t a good one considering they lived there for some time, but I at least only lived there until I was two years old, so cut me a little slack.
Anyway enough about how bad NSW really are all I really wanted to say is this is who you should select if you want to win:
Fullback – Clinton Gutherson – Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Wing – Vai Toutai – Parramatta Eels
Centre – Dylan Walker – South Sydney Rabbitohs
Centre – Charly Runciman – St George-Illawarra Dragons
Wing – George Jennings – Penrith Panthers
Five-eighth – Luke Brooks – Wests Tigers
Halfback – Mitch Cornish – Canberra Raiders
Prop – David Klemmer – Canterbury- Bankstown Bulldogs
Hooker – Michael Lichaa – Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Prop – Matthew Lodge – Melbourne Storm
Second row – Kelepi Tanginoa – Parramatta Eels
Second row – Dean Britt – Melbourne Storm
Lock – Brendan Santi – Wests Tigers
Interchange -Craig Garvey – St George-Illawarra Dragons
Interchange – Kyle Lovett – Wests Tigers
Interchange – Jake Trbojevic – Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Interchange – Junior Paulo – Parramatta Eels
Coach – Dean Pay – Parramatta Eels
Wait… sorry, that’s the under-20s team that knows how to win a State of Origin, my bad.
This is the team that I meant.
1. Jarryd Hayne
2. Nathan Merritt
3. Blake Ferguson
4. Michael Jennings
5. Jorge Taufua
6. Terry Campese
7. Adam Reynolds
8. Tim Grant
9. Robbie Farah
10. James Tamou
11. Greg Bird
12. Luke Lewis
13. Paul Gallen
14. Kurt Gidley
15. Anthony Watmough
16. Aaron Woods
17. Glen Stewart
Actually, pick who you like, we Queenslanders aren’t any good at picking teams anyway.
Good luck NSW, you’ll need it!
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