Is it just me or is State of Origin in NSW as big as it has ever been? The rivalry has been inescapable in the state for the past two weeks, with social media and news outlets in overdrive despite the home side not having experienced a series victory since 2005.
The true longevity of Queensland’s dominance is put into perspective when realising that some primary school students south of the border have not even lived in a time period where the Blues have held superiority over their Maroon counterparts.
For nearly eight years now, New South Welshman have had to cop flack from their noisy northern neighbours, and maybe it is this agonising period that has been the catalyst for an increased levels of passion among the people of NSW.
I witnessed this sudden burst of state pride first hand last year while sitting in the ‘Blatchey’s Blues’ section of ANZ Stadium for Game Two of the series.
While the 16-12 win for the Cockroaches made the night memorable, it was the 15,000 strong Blatchey’s Blues who made the evening. Wigs, shirts and chants all combined to create an electric atmosphere which, dare I say, aided the Blues in their victory on the night.
The sheer size of the section of the crowd pays testament to the idea that the level of patriotism within the state has increased, with Blatchey’s Blues numbers having steadily risen every year since 2006.
Ricky Stuart can also take some of the credit for re-igniting NSW’s Origin flame in his time as coach of the Blues. His natural passion and desire to win was amplified in the media battles with Queensland Origin coach Mal Meninga, sparking a new level of disdain for the Canetoads.
Laurie Daley has taken a different approach as coach, an approach almost void of any trash-talking.
This sort of bating of the opposition is not needed now though, as the flame has already been ignited.
All that is needed now is for the team to deliver, to cash in on this level of devotion from rugby league lovers in the Premier State. A level of devotion illustrated by what will be a capacity crowd at ANZ stadium tonight, illuminated by the blue attire of so many long-suffering fans.
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.
Spudd hitting Kenty right between the eyes!
Despite a poor season by his own high standards, Latrell Mitchell is still a chance to force his way into the NSW team for…
Michael Maguire is saying all the right things about how he wants to guide NSW back to State of Origin supremacy but the inescapable…
Wayde Egan's rise to star hooker status at the Warriors should earn him a place in conversation to play at No.9 for NSW in…
Hilton Cartwright and Joel Paris have powered Western Australia to a five-wicket win over NSW in the one-day cup final, securing a historic third…
One poor season from the Roosters' number one is not reflective of a trend, but an anomaly, and James Tedesco should not have his position questioned.
