When I grew up in the eighties the players selected to play for the Blues were the best of the available cattle.
While there has always been controversy over specific selections, it seems to me that in the past we were at least assured that the players chosen were the best available in their respective positions.
However, as I read through articles and opinion pieces and blogs, I keep coming across this rare and mythical beast, known as a player of “Origin Material”.
Reading through the comments accompanying the Sydney Morning Herald article announcing the Blues team, no fewer than 12 commenters used the term “Origin Material” to refer to a player that they either favoured or disliked.
Now, the first time I heard this term was around five years ago and I must admit that I had no idea what it meant. What is a player of “Origin Material”? Who defines it? What qualities does a player of “Origin Material” have that another player does not?
My opinion is that the notion of a player being of “Origin Material” is rubbish as it leads to selectors applying their own pre-conceived notions and prejudices to the task of selecting the Blues team – when of course what we should be doing is simply picking the best players in each position.
I’ll explain what I mean.
Before getting into the Blues players, consider Queenslander’s Ashley Harrison. I like Harrison – ok, so he’s not the toughest or biggest player around. Nor does he inspire fear in his opposition.
But Mal Meninga and Co. know exactly what they’re getting every time they select him to play for the Maroons – utter professionalism, heavy workload, will tackle his heart out. That’s why he’s played 14 Origin games for Queensland.
However, I put it to you that if Ashley Harrison was a New South Welshman, it’s unlikely that he would have been selected to play even a single Origin game.
Why do I say that? Well, simply because I think Harrison would have been labelled by Blues fans and commentators as “not of Origin Material”.
I would add other names to the list (some now Queensland legends) like Billy Moore and Gary Larson – unfashionable players who nevertheless excelled when they put on a Maroons jersey.
I’m pretty sure that the Queensland selectors don’t have a pre-conceived idea of what a bloke has to be to qualify as an “Origin Player”. They simply pick whoever they think is the best in their position. Simple as that.
Now to NSW: some of the players who have been labelled as “not of Origin Material” over the last few years have included Robbie Farah, Nathan Merritt, John Sutton, Brett Morris, Mitchell Pierce and Jamal Idris. I’m sure you could name more.
Now if you don’t think that any of those players should (or should not) be picked to play for Origin, that’s fair enough – but please give a valid reason. Saying that he’s “not of Origin Material” doesn’t cut it.
Take Robbie Farah for example. I have probably heard the term “not of Origin Material” applied more to Farah than any other player.
The reasons given by Farah’s detractors included: he’s not as tough as Ennis; he doesn’t have the mongrel that Ennis brings to games; Ennis is a niggler and can get under the skin of the Queenslanders, whereas Robbie can’t.
Never mind the fact that Farah has arguably been a superior number nine than Ennis for at least the last three years.
Never mind that he has a stronger and more incisive kicking game than Ennis, or more skill and creativity than Ennis, or a greater ability to read the play and direct his team around the park than Ennis.
All that didn’t matter as Farah was considered to be “not of Origin Material”.
Of course Robbie was selected for the Blues last year and he excelled, including one man of the match performance.
So it seems that he is now of “Origin Material” after all. Ditto Brett Morris – when he was first selected he was labelled to be “not of Origin Material” (because of his perceived attitude), but like Farah, he’s also convinced us that he too can hack it.
Confusing matters are players like Jarryd Hayne – I recall leading up to last year’s series that Hayne’s poor form was forgiven because he’s an “Origin Player” and is that other rare beast, “A Big Game Player”.
So this sort of thing works both ways.
I can’t help but think that part of the problem with our selections in recent times is that the selectors have such a specific and ingrained idea of what an Origin player should look like.
Rather than selecting players based on current form, they select the team based on fitting into a pre-conceived “box”. If they don’t fit into that box, the player is simply discarded.
It’s time that we did away with this foolish notion of “Original Material” and selected players on merit.
Qld 8
Guest
For the past 7 years soon to be 8 qld have made the right selections and nsw havent. Merrit deserves a shot at origin. Matt copper, anthony minichello??? And how many more that prove them sleves then grt dropped. Mitchell pearce shouldnt be in the team.
Qld 8
Guest
Typical nsw supported going for the other team?? Have some Pride and respect for your state.
Lachlan jones
Guest
I could not disagree with this article any more. For starters origin material refers to there style of play suiting the way origin is played. Ash Harrison is a perfect example of exactly what origin material is. He does his job and plays his role better than most backrowers and that is origin material. The reason Robbie farrah wasn't considered "origin material" was because he's style was seen as too flashy and he often tried to be to much of a creative hooker. Which isn't needed as much in origin as a hooker that just controls the ruck e.g smith, Ennis. New South Wales have picked to many players that weren't suited to winning a game of origin football. I see josh Reynolds is a player I see as being origin material, he is tough, smart, and competes in ever single play. That's the type of player that excels in state of origin. And I'd just like to point out how different of a beast origin is to club football. Arguebly the greatest origin player ever, wally Lewis, was an ordinary club footballer in comparison to what he did in origin. A player such as benji Marshall who at different stages of his career has been labeled as the best player in the world would struggle to succeed at origin level at any point of his career.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Most probably from his previous life in the 1700's ! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irregardless
Con
Guest
Thanks for the comments, interesting views. I agree 100% about Pierce, he has demonstrated over 9 games that he's not up to it. But I still contend that Adam Reynolds is a better option for other reasons than being "Origin Material". I would argue that in a lot of important facets of the game (especially for a halfback) Reynolds is superior to Pierce. I reckon Pearce has a really strong short passing game, but I think Reynolds has a better short kicking game, better long kicking game, better long passing, more creativity, more intuition (look at the final try against the TIgers where he had a split second to grubber to Inglis on the wing....Pierce would not have been able to do that) and a stronger ability to direct the team around the park. He's also a gun at getting repeat sets and is one of the stongest halves in the game in terms of last tackle options. He has a better temperament than Pierce, is cool as ice under pressure, and on and on. So I reckon Reynolds should be there instead of Pierce, but simply because he's a better player and is in great form - not because he meets the criteria of being "Origin Material". I also hope Pierce does well, but can't see it happening. Con
josh
Roar Rookie
Not always, it 's also about a winning team structure. It happens all the time in sport. Being the best player doesn't always translate into success. It's about knowing how to win. Like the Kiwi's in 4 Nations/ World Cups.
josh
Roar Rookie
Harrison would run through brick wall, if Mal said so. That's an Origin material player.
SuperEel22
Roar Guru
He's got standing as he is one of the best Origin coaches of all times but I agree is insight isn't exactly what you'd expect of someone with such a high standing.
peeeko
Roar Guru
QLd dont always select guys based on form?
bully
Guest
I think A Reynolds is exactly what there talking about as origin material its about not giving an inch, putting your body on the line and willing to take your best mates head off if he has a QLD jumper on.
James
Guest
Could not agree more... Maybe it's time we get new selectors in there?
MadMonk
Guest
I also remember the 80's and remember a constant debate about NSW picking centres like Andrew Ettinghausen and Michael O'Connor on the wing. I am not sure it was better in the old days. For mine Nathan Merritt is fast becoming the Nick Carle, Peter Hewit, Usman Khawaja cause celebre of Rugby league.
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
No because what you said actually made sense haha
Wildman From Borneo
Guest
Con, you are spot on with your article! I am a New South Welshman but have been going for QLD for the last 8 years or so basically because of the NSW selectors never picking teams on form. I think they have made the same mistake this year. Daley has been a selector for the past 5? years and now he is the Coach. He failed as a selector and I think he'll fail as a Coach also. How certain players always miss out, and certain players make the team always regardless of form frustrates the crap out of NSW fans! Do we fans actually know better than the NSW Selectors??? Based on results over the last 8 years..................................Yes we do!
maximillian
Guest
good examples matt. This raises a sub issue in that when a player proves he isnt Origin material how long do you persist with him? The player that immediately comes to mind is Pearce. He has had 9 failures & based on what Ive seen so far he isnt Origin material IMO. I suppose the coach & selectors have already backed him publicly so it would be hard for them to backtrack now but he would be the 1st guy dropped if I was a selector, based on his Origin form. If I look back on last years series I think all the NSW boys proved themselves except for Uate who was then dropped, & Pearce who still seems to get picked?! I hope Im wrong & PEarce wins the series but I wouldve opted for A Reynolds as Im not convinced Pearce is "Origin Material".
Griffo
Guest
Irregardless? You've made up a new word
fishes
Guest
Couldn't agree more. Just select the best player in each position and show some faith. Simple, really. 'origin material' seems to be a code word for 'you aren't in our little boys club so we aren't going to select you'
formeropenside
Guest
State of Origin is less artificial than any other means of selecting a side. I only wish we had it in Super Rugby, based on schoolboy representation.
Dayer
Guest
Agree 100%... I can not stand him ... Gus is overated.
matt h
Guest
Wow, did I just channel Oikee? That was a bit scarey.