As I have read the millions of suggestions for the rescheduling of State of Origin, one has stood out above the pack.
Having a three-week mid season break, with State of Origin played on those three weekends is the standout solution.
It ensures the competition and the players do not suffer through an Origin period, and allows the continued momentum of rugby league as a sport. Another idea I have seen popping up, is for another series to be added to this weekend, to further enhance the importance of the break and bring even more attention to the game.
A New Zealand national team taking on a Polynesian All Stars team in a three-match series would be a great exhibition of rugby league and a perfect event to coincide with State of Origin.
Polynesian players now comprise more than 35 per cent of the National Rugby League and Holden Cup and are some of the best in our game.
The Indigenous All Stars have been given an opportunity to play as a team and represent their culture, so why not players with Polynesian heritage. I have put together two possible teams that would face each other.
As this is a hypothetical situation, I have discounted injuries.
Polynesian All-Stars
1. Glen Fishiashi
2. Semi Radradra
3. Tim Lafai
4. Konrad Hurrel
5. Jorge Taufua
6. Anthony Milford
7. Isaac John
8. Brent Kite
9. Apisai Koroisau
10. Ashton Sims
11. Sika Manu
12. Tariq Sims
13. Jason Bakuya
14. Fui Fui Moi Moi
15. Reni Maitua
16. Leeson Ah Mau
17. Siliva Havilli
New Zealand
1. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
2. Manu Vatuvei
3. Steve Matai
4. Dean Whare
5. Jason Nightingale
6. Kieran Foran
7. Shaun Johnson
8. Jesse Bromwich
9. Isaac Luke
10. Jared Warea-Hargreaves
11. Ben Matulino
12. Frank Pritchard
13. Simon Mannering
14. Sam Kasiano
15. Alex Glenn
16. Sam Moa
17. Greg Eastwood
These two teams would deliver an outstanding battle of high calibre rugby league. Though there is an obvious on paper advantage to the New Zealand side, especially in the spine, the Polynesian team would no doubt play with a great passion and pride, bringing a lot of excitement to the contest.
The clash would allow the inclusion of those players left out of Origin due to heritage and would provide a series for the large Polynesian and New Zealand market to back.
As for the venues, Eden Park would possibly get a capacity crowd for the first game. The National Stadium in the biggest Pacific Island of Fiji would almost definitely fill the 30,000-seat capacity and the final game would be played in a neutral location, Parramatta Stadium.
The strong Kiwi and Polynesian population in Sydney would turn out in droves for the event, and Parramatta Stadium would provide an excellent atmosphere for the decider.
There is no doubt in my mind that a New Zealand versus Polynesian All Stars series would be a huge success and perfectly compliment the State of Origin series in a three-week break.
bemused by comment
Guest
my comment was aimed at terrosilops but here goes (again): Polynesians and Melanesians are distinct anthropological groups. Physically, culturally, linguistically, settlement, technology -- in every sense of the word, they are different. For Melanesia think PNG, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and western Fiji. For Polynesia think Samoa, Tonga, eastern Fiji, Hawaii. Fiji has a foot in both camps and the tribal tensions that exist in that country (I'm half-Fijian BTW) are based on that ethnic divide (west vs east). The differences are profound and easily noticeable. (NB: There is also a third group -- Micronesians. These are the people of Palau, FSM -- to the north of PNG). Maori are considered Polynesian (the Cook Islands native language is Cook Islander Maori). Hence the reference should be "Pacific Islander" and not "Polynesian". RU had a combined Pacific Island team of Samoans, Tongans and Fijians and that fell apart because of the inherent cultural tensions between these three countries.
James Cairns
Roar Guru
Enlighten me then, please.
bemused by comment
Guest
You really have no idea what you're talking about!!
Spiritfree
Guest
Ridiculous, Terrosilops. Maori identify as of being of Aotearoa/New Zealand. I think the OP's suggestion is a great one, bar calling it NZ v Polynesia. As Johnno suggests, Pacific Islands All Stars is great. It'd be a lot more meaningful than SOO, that's for sure. And I think that it could put SOO to shame, too. Skills over animalism. SOO is a disgrace to modern-day humanity. But that's another story.
James Cairns
Roar Guru
hahah its only t20 style if we have horrible b grade cheerleaders do a dance after each try. haha yeah, unfortunately not for my thirst. one game a week of league would be too little
James Cairns
Roar Guru
that isn't true
Jo
Guest
Money talks, I imagine more so than the chance to play rep footy. Otherwise Tamou wouldn't be wearing sky blue and tony Carroll never would have wore maroon (just examples, not trying to start a fight over eligibility).I am as queenslander as they come. But I am sure there is some value of money that could make me pull on sky blue. I'd have to be allowed to hide my identity though or else it would be a huge number! If fans don't want to follow it then it is all a waste of time. I just think test matches are the way forward for the NRL internationally.
chis
Guest
Love to see a NZ v P.I's game and dare I say it the winner takes on the winner of the SOO as that would add more $$$$ andbums on seats but all games need to be weekend standalone free from the reg NRL season.
up in the north
Guest
One other way to make this more apealing is to jazz it up like the T 20 cricket. You know hove lairy uniforms, have dorky names & feature good players. Works for me. We all know ch9 own this game. But if they get a little nudge in the right direction they might see sense, one day. They've already conceded that the city / country, pseudo ANZAC game and the Fiji Samoa games will get a stand alone round. They only need three games each week. Given that Origin rated "thru the roof" recently, according to experts. And given that most people get their Rugby League fix via their tv set, I have to ask. Aren't three games of top quality footy, for three weeks, enough?!@#$
James Cairns
Roar Guru
I think that Origin now stalls the NRL season, it feels like, start of the year, sag, end of the year. I'm worried that having that many games, only people of those nations will really care about, i think NZ vs islanders has a broader appeal. yeah i realised whilst doing it that eligibility would be problematic, id change the rules so that the polynesian team is chosen after the origin and NZ sides.
James Cairns
Roar Guru
Hahahaha awesome name!!! eligibility would be a tricky one to sort out, needs more depth than i can provide
James Cairns
Roar Guru
actually, throw in the nepal donkeys and you have your self a four-way.
James Cairns
Roar Guru
yeah I'm not too sure on the cultural barriers that may exist so i can't comment, i think adding more international games won't gain much excitement, where as a series like this will be a junior origin.
James Cairns
Roar Guru
im not sure tbh, a lot of those islander players don't have that option, but those who do would have to choose. maybe NZ selected a week before Islanders? so those left out can join polynesian, so its as high quality as possible.
up in the north
Guest
But play it in the Whitsundays. We need the tourism :-)
Johnno
Guest
Put Ben Roberts to halfback
Knightblues
Roar Guru
Great idea! Call it Island of Origin! 3 game series, on the weekend before each origin game in NZ, game 1 Fiji game 2 Sydney game 3 Kiwis can wear black, Polys can wear white. Rules are you MUST be born in NZ or on Polynesian Island to play,
Knightblues
Roar Guru
your being over technical here, everyone knows maoris mean nz not the islands ok.
turbodewd
Guest
Yeah, how about Cook Islands vs Toronto (Canada) vs Ethiopia in a 3-way Tri Series.
Sam
Guest
The Irish RU team is a combined Northern Irish and Republic team and Ireland, Wales, Scotland all have an acrimonious history with England and they all still manage to tour together as the Lions every few years so I'd think for the sake of playing rep footy the players would get over it.