A really good question, but the answer is no. The St George Dragons of the 50s and 60s are still the benchmark in my book..
For 11 straight years – 1956 to 1966 – the Saints ruled the rugby league roost.
The likes of Ken Kearney, Ian Walsh, Norm Provan, Billy Wilson, Harry Bath, Reg Gasnier, Johnny Raper, Graeme Langlands, Eddie Lumsden, Johnny King, Poppa Clay, and Billy Smith, to name a few, made the white jersey with the big red V so famous.
Gasnier, Raper, and Langlands are three of the code’s eight Immortals, the most from any club.
Provan, Gasnier, Raper, and Langlands were named in the Team of the Century, again the most from any one club.
Watching them play in the unlimited tackle era was watching total dominance.
They owned the football, they owned the game, they owned the premiership.
The current Queensland side has its smattering of wonderful talent, with Cameron Smith, their inspirational skipper, Greg Inglis, Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk, and Johnathan Thurston the five best players in the world.
And not far behind them Justin Hodges, Brent Tate, Darius Boyd, Sam Thaiday, and especially last night – Matt Scott.
So mighty Mal Meninga’s Maroons have won eight straight series.
But they sure didn’t have it all their own way last night in front of a record 83,813 ANZ Stadium Origin full house.
The scoreboard still showed they won 12-10 as NSW squandered perfect chances to pinch the game by losing possession four times inside the Queensland quarter.
The question has to be asked how can NSW so consistently bomb scoring tries?
They have done just that all series and they can’t afford to let such a top side off the hook by losing patience with fundamental and basic errors when it counts most.
Interestingly, NSW has fielded 253 players in the 32 Origin series, while Queensland has fielded only 177 – 76 less Queenslanders is highly significant.
Even more significant this series has been Laurie Daley’s pre-series selection of Mitchell Pearce as the Blues half-back, when Rabbitoh Adam Reynolds was clearly the better and in-form player.
Daley fell into the trap former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans set for himself by ignoring Quade Cooper as fly-half against the Lions, which cost the Kiwi his job.
Whether Daley will lose his job remains to be seen, but Pearce certainly won’t be part of the next campaign.
And it would be a brave man to bet against the Maroons matching the Dragons’ 11 straight, the longest winning streak in rugby league history.
Like their rugby cousins the Reds, the Maroons honestly believe they are invincible.
Until New South Wales match that genuine belief in both codes, they can forget about ending the drought.
And while it’s boring to some, it would be the ultimate in being churlish if the Maroons and Reds weren’t saluted by those who believe in Blue.
Ricky D
Guest
Quality over quantity. It doesnt matter how many matches you have. If it's dull opponents you're playing against, then it's dull opponents you're playing against.
bbt
Guest
You cannot compare club football of the 1960s with a State, or even a club team of today. No salary cap meant that the St George was not far off the National team. Players only left St George for other clubs at the tail end of their careers. The game was much, much slower, attack much easier to read, and it was far easier for a skilful player to break the line. (I witnessed the tail end of the St George run). The pressure is much greater now - 1 missed tackle, 1 poorly directed kick or bad read of the play and a try is scored. Mistakes happen due to the pressure of the situation and those were much less pressured times. This is not to denigrate the great players of the day, but you can only play with the hand you are dealt at that time.
Renegade
Guest
jett, I agree, no matter which way its sliced or diced, this QLD side can never be called 'The Greatest side of all time'....they are certainly the greatest state side ever assembled which I have no problem saying.
jett michaels
Guest
Greatest load of crap i've read today.
jett michaels
Guest
The difference is that Saints played 198 premiership matches over the 11 years.They had to win a lions share of those matches each and every year to qualify for the semis,then win their semis to reach the big one.When you include these games [13 semi finals/11 Grand Finals] you end up with 222 matches.To compare QLD to this is pointless.Even 11 SOO in a row would add up to 33 matches played.
jett michaels
Guest
CRAP.
SandBox
Roar Guru
agree, Deans should have gone after RWC, and it was poor performance and baffling selections, plus other reasons he was booted. Despite Qld playing against only the one opposition, NSW have been very strong at times. Eight straight has been an amazing achievement. The current QLD team deserves the title of one of our greatest sporting groups ever assembled (not just RL).
Chris Hardiman
Roar Rookie
No winging here. Of course it matters how good the player turns out to be. If I was to whinge or complain I could write an encyclopedia on NSW getting the rough end of the Origin pineapple. I said NSW have only themselves to blame Qld's winning run.
Adsa
Guest
You are all wrong, it is the Nsw Blues that are best team of all time, they have the best State of Origin player ever in Greg Bird, the best captain ever in Paul Gallen, the best coach in Daley, the best props, the best backrow, the best backs, the best defence- is'nt that what Blue supporters have said for the past 8 years in early May, oh thats right its July and they lost again- sorry.
oh diana
Guest
I like reading articles like this, as it's easy to get caught up in the moment and convince oneself that the latest thing is automatically the best and has never been surpassed. And, since we're on about St George, I urge every rugby league fan to get hold of a copy of the marvellous book, "Never Before, Never Again" - a book that evokes beautifully the story of the Dragons' immortal run. However, even if St George are the greatest club side produced by Australia, it does not follow that they are the "greatest rugby league side in history..." To take one example, the St George team of 1962, playing before a mid-week crowd of nearly 58000 at the SCG, were absolutely humiliated by the touring GB Lions. The latter had players to rank alongside anything produced by Sty George - including the holy triumvirate of Gasnier, Langlands and Raper. How about the Wigan team of a few years ago, that won 8 consecutive Challenge Cups, 6 consecutive league and cup doubles, came over to Sydney and thrahed everyone in that funny 7s tournament, defeated the Broncos in Brisbane in a World Club Challenge match and even won the Middlesex 7s rugby union tournament in Twickenham at the first time of asking? Or the great France touring teams that came over to Australia and won series against the Kangaroos while playing an enchanting brand of "champagne rugby?" Just a few to ponder, David...
Matt
Guest
There's what, 3 Storm guys in the QLD side? Vs the Australian side where they had 13/17 or something. So not really comparable!
Charles NSW
Guest
The mighty Dragons were the best ever no doubt about that. Winning 11 in a row is extremely difficult and almost impossible.This is why they are the only ones to do that in the world and in any sport. Although a different era I am sure they would have done the same now had they had the training available that we have now. QLD are a mighty team there is no question to that. However NSW can and should be very competiiiitive if only we can make some correct decisions in our selections and choose coaches that know what they are doing.
bestywins
Guest
Or how about when they pinched Ken Nagas, born and bred from Bunderberg and played senoir footy there etc. His parents were shattered when he found a loophole that he could play for NSW. But he turned out to be a dud player. No whinging from queensland back then. We just said if that's who he wants to play with then let him go
Renegade
Guest
Well by that logic....Melbourne Storm would beat QLD therefore they are the 'greatest' side ever. QLDer's really do make me laugh....
V.O.R.
Guest
Why a decade? Coz it's double figures.? You get to the point where 8 is just as mind boggling as 10 at this level....but this is what the QLD team is up against...what do they need to do to get Laurie Daley, Ricky Stuart, Paul Gallen and the NSW Sydney Centric press to say LOUDLY AND CLEARLY without ambiguity that they are "the best team to ever play the game in its history". They know it will take 10 in a row to possibly get respect. Why because it's double figures....
V.O.R.
Guest
Disagree Lordy… 1. .the level of competition in State of Origin is unsurpassed at any level be it international or club level..these guys are on a whole new level of performance… 2. prior to 8 in a row the longest streak in origin was 3…. 3. this is a much more arduous and competitive arena than 50 years ago… 4. .far more level playing field than St George experienced…The best of NSW vs the best of QLD….nothing to do with which clubs can buy the best talent…. This QLD team is the best rugby league team that has graced the football field since Rugby Leagues inception….Detractors just let go and join us in admiration!
V.O.R.
Guest
1 +. All
V.O.R.
Guest
1 +
Elijah Weightman
Roar Guru
Without a doubt the best state side in history. A decade of dominance would crown them as the best team of all time.
Elijah Weightman
Roar Guru
It's funny how no-one complained about Greg Inglis' state allegiance before he became an Origin superstar. Infact, when he debuted, Queensland were on the back of three consecutive series defeats. Didn't hear anyone from NSW complaining then.