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Legendary Scottish football manager Bill Shankly once said, “Some people believe football is a matter of life and death, I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.”
Sure, Shankly was speaking about another code, but for New South Welshmen does this State of Origin not have that same kind of feeling?
For most of the year supporting a National Rugby League team is more a like warm blanket for fans. Whatever problems or stresses you might have, you are always guaranteed your favourite NRL team will be there for you on the weekend.
But Origin is different.
Seven years of torment and submission all at the hands of those damned mighty Queenslanders from the north. With their star players, fancy team announcements and that old song and dance about how ‘Queenslanders are more passionate’, the last seven years have been hell.
While the Maroons surge on for avarice, Blues fans have been left to wallow in the muck. Beaten and destroyed by the pure talent of Queensland, the Blues need this series more than anyone has ever needed anything.
It isn’t about bragging rights anymore.
It’s about more than that.
No longer can NSW stomach the stench of defeat. That desperate feeling all fans have whether they’re watching Origin at home or at their local pub. The vile stench of Queensland victory needs to be banished.
It is that time of year after all.
You’re allowed to hate. If it was alright for Queenslanders to fuel their own fire with the same feelings way back in 1980, then so be it today.
By the way, Queenslanders aren’t more passionate than us. They just hate us more than we hate them. It’s always been that way and the Maroons have used it against us time and time again.
So hate that maroon jersey, bemoan that turncoat Greg Inglis and downright loath that ghastly victory song of theirs.
But after the sides run out into the cauldron that is ANZ Stadium on Wednesday night and the atmosphere hits them, the side that plays better football will win.
There will be big hits, a lot of niggle and maybe even a few punches thrown.
Yet it’s still the side that settles and executes their game plan better that will come out on top.
“Honestly, we’ve lost seven in a row, and I am sick of all the excuses about why we lost,” former Origin great Steve Roach told reporters.
“I want blokes who will get in there and tell me why we will win. It is all bullshit and clichéd to say we haven’t got this or they’ve got that.”
Strap yourselves in and enjoy the ride.
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