State of Origin … the game where the hits are harder, the men are bigger, and the tempers are ticking time bombs.
From the greats like King Wally and Joey Johns, to the one-game wonders, this is truly the toughest game in Australian sport.
I was recently asked what the difference is between an Origin game and a regular NRL match. I mean, sure, we’re hearing the same familiar names like Inglis, Bird and Gallen take to the turf.
These men are playing the same code, and apart from the fact that this game is played on a Wednesday, is there really anything that different about playing in this big boy bash?
To those people who are actually asking these questions, I suggest you back away slowly, because obviously the greatest grudge match since Mundine versus Green has slipped under your radar.
Once you’ve made it at club level, there is really nowhere to go but up. While some may liken it to the training wheels before riding on into an Australia jersey, others think it is the other way round.
One only has to look at the battle for positions and the desperate way clubs and fans rally for their stars to be considered in the selection process to truly grasp what this game means to Australian sport.
So serious is this game, one of the greatest coaches of the modern era, Craig Bellamy, was shown the door. Yes, the Craig Bellamy; the man who has taken a sub-par code in Victoria and turned its team into a winning machine.
Other big names through the turnstile quicker than you can say ‘cane toad’ were coach Sticky Ricky, Michael Ennis and Peter Wallace.
The prime goal is to field the best team from the selection of players you have at your disposal. While there are some murky waters about eligibility, *cough* Greg Inglis *cough*, there is always a battle to put out the best player available for that position.
One issue I have grappled with in the last few years is the tendency of NSW selectors to choose the big names and play them out of position, simply to make sure they are a part of the spectacle.
While players like Jarryd Hayne might be flexible, there needs to be a selection based on the best player in each position. This way, specialty players are running out in the sky blue jersey, and we don’t have to worry that they’ll fall back into their old club positions and plays.
For the last seven series, a new figure has been heralded as the saviour for NSW each game. Hayne, Wallace, Ennis, the Stewart brothers and Todd Carney have all run out to the cheers of Blatchy’s Blues, only to be panned in the player ratings in the newspaper the following day.
It seems that the victory in Game 1 comes down to a lot of things: a more organised coach, the players are familiar with each other and there is a genuine belief that the hoodoo can be broken.
However, the biggest difference is that a single individual hasn’t been put on a pedestal with the burden of bringing the trophy back across the border. As a team game, this makes sense. In fact, why hasn’t anyone thought of this before?
So despite the failures and disappointments of the last seven years, when I sit down to watch Game 2 next week, I am convinced that even if NSW don’t manage to wrap up the series, it will actually be a close contest. And the addition of Nathan Merritt to the team can only mean good things.
So for that person who asked about Origin; mate against mate, state against state, there is no greater passion.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
Like going to a fight and a game broke out!
warren
Guest
And they are???
Knight Vision
Guest
thats because its not a TV game, the type of game that needs to be watched live at the event .......next .....
trent
Guest
Wow Bowden vs Broadhurst, I think now that was fight x 2 literally!
warren
Guest
They were a poorly supported inner league team. No great loss to the code in the long run and still have a side in the lower grade competition. The brawl was terrible yet the game survived somehow.
warren
Guest
You clearly have never been to Qld when the SOO is on. The fact that you link crowds to this events popularity shows a degree of stupidity in the least and a lack of understanding of how events whether sporting or any other are measured in terms of their popularity or importance. Why dont you compare the two suburb game you mention in terms of TV ratings as an example? Yes the AFL has been going longer than the NRL. Soccer has been going longer than aussie rules. Whats you point? Just accept that RL has got this one over the AFL and move on.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
Google Newtown vs Manly semi final '81 I think. Has there ever been an all in brawl to match that one? Not condoning it of course, but its pretty entertaining. I feel a little bit ashamed for admitting that, but that stoush was one for the ages. Was this Newtown's second last match ever at the top level? That in itself is a bit strange to a non league person. Did they simply just fold after that?
Griffo
Guest
I would suggest an increased use of commas and fullstops if you were writing these articles
liatrevlis
Guest
Fair comment totally agree , however how does this relate to the toughness of sport ???
Brett
Roar Rookie
the AFL got rid of there state of origin years ago and there is always talk of it coming back every time the NRL has it on, the NRL has a advantage of starting their season 3 weeks earlier to allow for this while the AFL has there schedule crammed
liatrevlis
Guest
It's a general comment "Rugby League" not just Manly , read my comments , pivot your the one that can name the ones that are tougher so what are they?? ps there's nothing tough about the "bump" ha ha , yep iron mans tough but you don't have to run into others at full pace , tackle , retreat , attack for 80 mins with out any protection outside of a mouth guard and maybe shoulder pads
Exocet
Guest
Of course the Manly conditioner would say that since he is employed by them. Just as Folau or Hunt say AFL is really hard (physically rather than hard) when they are being paid by them. However I agree with him - its the toughest but it doesn't mean it may not be doing them long term harm. Watching the Chief and Spud Carroll run into each other was sickening and I fear for their long term futures..
The Pivotonian
Guest
Where was toughness mentioned? You'll have to point it out to me because I can't see it. Toughness is a subjective measure anyway, I'd argue completing an ironman triathlon is far tougher than 80 minutes of state of origin rugby league.
liatrevlis
Guest
what's crowd sizes got to do with the toughness of a sport, ??? Now name the sports that are tougher than Rugby League , Manlys strength and conditioning coach believes Rugby League is the toughest game on the planet , he should know , his former clients include the Dallas cowboys , Russian ice hockey , and MMA
The Pivotonian
Guest
You've just made that up though. I could name loads of sports with more.
Ralph
Guest
Maybe, but Origin is hard to beat for physical intensity.
The Pivotonian
Guest
Got any evidence? The AFL puts on matches between two suburbs that can bring in a bigger crowd and can have over 100 years more history than the NRL can with two states.
Brett
Roar Rookie
I agree it is the biggest comp in Australian sport, the AFL and A-League have nothing on a domestic level, the NRL have one over the AFL every year because of this
darth vader
Guest
It's funny you didn't mention pearce at all and he not carney Stewart bros etc is the one to blame he is the half back I don't know if you watch the Nrl or just use the copy and paste tool but the half back is the man the head honcho he calls the shots and directs a team. You can't win a premiership without a good half let alone origin! I should be writing these articles
solly
Guest
The difference is that the players have something immediate to play for.