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.
Santos
Guest
The only way to stop the influx of foreign born players into the State of Origin is to set-up a similar contest for the Pacific Islanders and Kiwis. There are only two thing preventing this from happening, which seem fairly trivial and easy to overcome: 1. Fear that New Zealand could eliminate either NSW and Queensland in a combined Origin Series - as they almost did in 1997 Super League Tri-series. 2. Islander players not willing to form a collaborative team - saying that it "goes against Islander culture". Also, any player who represents NSW / Queensland should be forced to pledge their loyalty to Australia, and can NEVER represent the Kiwis, Kumuls or Islander Nations, and can only represent the minnow nations under special circumstances.
Victoria Liu-Pearson
Roar Guru
Thank You to everyone for your comments!
Bay Man
Guest
I hope Wati does another streak! Wati is now apart of SOO history! "LETS GONE QUEENSLAND"
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Why two pictures of Wati but nothing mentioned of everyone's favourite nude funnster
Hayley Maher
Roar Pro
When I went down to Melbourne for the Origin 2 years ago there was no hype in Melbourne. You walked around the city and wouldn't even know the game was on. Maybe being down there feels like there's no hype but there's definitely lots of hype up in Sydney and I suspect in QLD there is too. As a New South Welshman there's nothing better than the lead up to Origin, especially when it's being played here. I look forward to it every year.
Jackson Henry
Guest
I don't disagree, but I suspect it might be for different reasons. I think Gould has the sharpest mind in the game and is actually a legend. I just wish he'd use his powers for good - you can see his agendas coming a mile away. In the back pocket Gus, you're worth more to the game than that.
Cowelly
Guest
Mate, have you seen how many articles there are on this website about SOO? You're a fool if you believe origin is dying. No Australian contest gets this much coverage for this long in Australian sports media. To say it's becoming stale is absolutely ridiculous. Record crowds, TV ratings and profits are broken every year. If NSW wins a series this year or the next, I can guarentee you SOO will be the biggest sporting even in Australian Sport. Bigger than the AFL grand final, bigger than Melbourne Cup, bigger than anything the Socceroos can amount to. The stats won't lie.
up in the north
Guest
JCAT. Mate I'm talking about the actual standard of the players across the whole field. While that one game stood out for you because of the result. I would bet either of NSW or the Queensland teams would have won in '08. I'm not dissing that Kiwi team, in fact it was a massive win for them. I just firmly believe that the state sides alone would beat any national side from anywhere. It may sound arrogant, that's not my intention, but the depth of talent, commitment and smarts would flay alive anyone. In my opinion.
JCAT
Roar Rookie
The 2008 RL world cup final. That surpasses an Origin game. Best game of league I have ever watched but I am a NZer so you Aussies might disagree.
up in the north
Guest
Victoria. If you can show me one - just one - NRL or even an International game of Rugby League that surpasses an Origin game, I would love to see it. State of Origin is the pinacle of Rugby League. It doesn't get any better.
casper
Guest
touch of bitterness in those comments Johnno. I guess you didn't mind sending the likes of Arty beetson, Rod Reddy & the like out in blue jerseys against weakened Qld residential sides all those years ago, as long as the SRL (Sydney Rugby League) was strong. You probably never did get it. When Qlders had a 'second' team to follow in the sydney comp, I can recall the likes of Manly, St George & Roosters being happy to buy a state player or international from other clubs & play them in the reserves for years. Poker machine money made it possible & that golden goose has well & truly been slaughtered, hence the financial problems with some Sydney clubs. That's where the arrogance & self interest was developed & it's ingrained in the dna of sydney club management. Origin will remain strong in Qld, as long as the greedy QRL bean counters don't take the game away from the grass roots & give it to corporates who have no soul. The ticket price fiasco is a worrying sign. As for the game, it generally lives up to the expectations as a spectacle, which is validated by ratings.
Johnno
Guest
Globalisation is killing origin. Much like city v country ceased to be a rep game a real one 20 years ago, SOO is heading down the same path. It will eventually just be 2 teams one blue, 1 red not knowing what there playing for. State pride? The modern day player and modern national interstate immigration and new people emmigrating to OZ especially the kiwi and pacific islander influx in footy, the players don't know if there NSWelshman or QLDer's, and on and on it goes. interstate rivalry just lacks the same spice for all the modern day reasons given. Same with christian religous battles on the school sports fields of OZ, in the private schools of Brisbane and sydney. Anglican V Catholic schoolboy 1st 15 rugby battles used to have so much spice in the 50',60's,70's,80's, then fazed out by the 90's. The baby boomers will know what I'm talking about,they played in some fierce battles on the pitch. These sydney private schools in the GPS also had the big city v country stuff, with some schools haveing more country boarders. Even within the schools there was big day boy V boarders rivalry. All gone in the modern World. And SOO has lost that edge, does it really hurt to lose to a Queenslander when the bloke in the maroons is a kiwi or a New South Welshman or a pacific islander anyway in disguise, eg Inglis,Folau,Ben Te'o,Brad Thorn,Craig Smith,,Mick Crocker,Sam Thaiday,Billy Moore, and PNG players eg Adrian Lam,Neville Costigan. SOO is not evolving with the times it's becoming outdated, and more and more RL are waking up to that. Test footy and World club challanges are the future, and the RLWC.
Matthew Buxton
Roar Pro
I believe the best thing for Origin 2015 would be for NSW to win, so we don't get the same stale buildup that we have for the previous couple of years. However there's one thing I'd love to see stay, and many would disagree, is Goulds final word...has me in stitches every time! But yeah, as i said if NSW win this year it could change everything.