State of Origin 2014 gets underway on Wednesday. This is meant to be a ‘new Blues’ outfit, going for glory. They have new ideas, a new team and they are looking to break the infamous hoodoo. To which I say: “Who cares?”
Every year the game is billed as the same: State against State, Mate against Mate.
The build-up revolves around whether or not the Blues can win a game, win a series, and just how amazing Queensland are because they just can’t lose.
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State of Origin used to the best time of the year for rugby league. It was where the greatest memories, the greatest moments and unexpected things happened.
Loyalty was put to the test as the passions ran hot like a knife through butter.
Sadly, it has simply turned into a regular old game between old foes at the bargaining table trying to make a deal. Confusion continues to reign over who is or isn’t eligible as the international rules go from murky to mud.
Every sport has a State of Origin of sorts, but what made league’s stand out was its uniqueness; that sense of being a game like we’ve never seen.
Queensland are a great team. They are the better side from top to bottom and always find a way to win.
The problem for Origin now is they’ve won too much. It has gotten to the point where there is no sense in watching anymore since the outcome has been pre-determined before a ball is kicked.
Sure, the poor form of the Blues and their inability to produce wins where it counts has also has an effect. Queensland can’t help their talent. They just play what’s in front of them and do what they do.
The Blues, meanwhile, seem to suffer from stage fright, an inability to threaten, and lack the want to win.
Going back to the game I attended here in Melbourne a couple of years ago, I recall feeling reluctant to go.
It didn’t help that the game was held at the poorly designed Eithad Stadium, putting the fans far from the action. All they’d see is the smear of a dot of the player running around – hardly a way to get involved and engaged into a game.
Regardless, it still feels like Origin has lots its aura. Every year it’s the same thing televised by the media. There’s nothing new in terms of innovation, discussion, or a new panel.
They spew the same nonsense as last year with a new spin. There is nothing different. We know what each team is going to do. No matter what TV league programs do, they give us the same old story.
I’ve got many great memories of watching Origin. The big hits, the amazing tries, try celebrations, tackles and other unusual moments. Back then, it didn’t matter who was winning, NSW or Queensland.
The real winner on the day was the game. It would always give us fans an everlasting memory.
All we see now is the same old thing game after game. Even the Anzac Day games at NRL level receive more hype than Origin these days, and that says something.
There’s so much more exciting football to watch; games that do bring about the Origin spirit, whereas the real Origin is merely a shadow of its former self.
Origin is all about taking it to the next level. Where the rules of the regular reason don’t matter. Let them knock each other out, sort it with their fists and go toe-to-toe. Let’s see the blood fly and tries slide and the tempers flare.
When Origin can return to its roots, has a clear definition of who should be playing for whom, we get a new winner and the build-up is actually worth the viewing time, then maybe we’ll be onto a winner.
For now, it’s just another NRL game between two states who don’t know any better.
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