State of Origin is supposed to be the pinnacle of football, where the greatest players in our game meet in a brutal three game series that tests players’ composure, strength and courage.
But just how ‘tough’ are these games?
The State of Origin arena is filled with cowardly and grubby acts that are labelled as tough and Origin-like. Both teams are guilty of these acts despite constantly trying to put the onus on the other.
Late hits on passers and kickers, forearms to the face of defenceless players lying on the ground and various other grubby deeds all combine to produce a dirty game.
Last night’s Origin game was no different highlighted by the last 10 minutes when Farah pushed Thurston in the face as the playmaker lay on the ground and proceeded to walk over him in such a way that his knee came in contact with his head.
Not long after this a couple of Queensland players were clearly seen rubbing their arms into the face of Blues forward David Klemmer. Klemmer retaliated and threw a few jabs/punches that have seemed to escape comment.
What makes it worse is the comments from Phil Gould as he glorifies these acts of thuggery. He brands them as tough and he can be heard snickering and is clearly excited by these acts that spark an all-in game of tiggy.
The NRL’s regular season games are no strangers to the same grubby tactics either. Week in week out we see the likes of Michael Ennis performing cowardly and niggly acts. The most worrying thing is they are also branded as tough.
Are these acts creeping into the game because players know they cannot be hit? I’m not sure, but they seem to be more evident now than ever. Perhaps they are a tactic to draw penalties and to wind up players that are known to have a short fuse.
I am not for one second suggesting that we renege on the no punch tolerance, but something needs to be done to stamp this out of the game. Perhaps smaller penalties such as simply resetting the tackle count or advancing the ball 10 metres could be used for minor infringements like this.
Where has the respect gone? This type of football is not tough. It is cowardly, grubby, and it is deterring young people from playing the game. Tough is someone who gives their all, hits hard and gets hit hard and can shake the oppositions hand and win or lose gracefully at the end of it.
Please can we stop glorifying these grubby acts?
The Barry
Roar Guru
Well said Tommy. Anyone watching the game saying 'that was grubby', 'there's another' is missing the point.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Why? The Queensland forwards went after him but didn't like it when he gave it back. Parker and the other qld grub were happy to grind their hands into his face but then start squealing when he throws a couple of soft lunges with his fist while lying flat on his back. With two of them on top. Apparently this was an exchange during the game: Parker: show some respect Klemmer: get f__ked c__t
peeeko
Guest
agree sheek, niggle should not be confused with toughness
peeeko
Guest
you are joking arent you?
Andre Cupido
Roar Rookie
Agreed. I think when they talk about how 'tough' origin is, its more in regards to they physical aspect of the game - the contact, the tackles and charging runs. I love the niggle, I think it adds to the intensity but I thinks its each to there own. Fair enough if you disagree - but I think alot of people enjoy it.
The Prize_Man
Roar Pro
He is just a thug. he runs hard and makes an impact no doubt. but he needs to pull his head in.
Ken
Guest
I think QLD clearly had more niggle and cheap shots in the first game, and NSW clearly had more in game 2. And they both won those games. And that's why it happens.
Ken
Guest
Last 10 years? Bill Harrigan resigned 12 years ago and, apart from dudding Saints in the '99 decider, he's still best remember for a long held mantra of 'Put the whistle away' for Origin games, that he was repeating every year through the 90's. For better or worse, Origin has been reffed differently for at least 20 years. 80's are a bit early for me to recall confidently but Gomersall was famously not worried about a fight or two, as long as QLD were winning of course.
Jamieson Murphy
Roar Guru
I think you'll find the tough part is tackling the 100kg+ players running at you at 30km/h. As for the niggling stuff - it's always been there, it's just become more apparent since punching was banned. People like Ennis are the best at it, and there is nothing wrong with a bit of niggle to get under your opponents skin. Sledging is niggling, and it has always been part of the game. Is sledge any worse than a forearm to the face? Words can hurt more than punches sometimes.
LXM of POM
Guest
It appears that since the introduction to the no punch rule, players do these acts to incite the opposition into throwing the first punch. This would then result in a 12 vs. 13 and in most cases a try scored by the side with the most players. Btw, those grubby acts, I agree with you that both sides were just as guilty as the other. Just saying!
Chui
Guest
Thanks for your input Justin Hodges
JB
Guest
Agree Sheek, the author forgets to mention the up and barge constant impact spine rattling contact in defense most of which happens when completely depleted of energy, then repeat. No team sport asks more of you than that arena.
Tom
Guest
I agree. It was a good tough game of league, and I didn't notice any facial massages, sneaky elbows etc. It was a better spectacle for it compared to Origin. League is inherently a tough sport. Just taking a hit up at 3 blokes waiting to smash you takes some balls. It doesn't need any of the niggle. If I wanted to see fighting, eye gouges, joint manipulations etc, I would watch UFC.
Sideline Comm.
Guest
You know who is one of the worst: Thurston. He just cannot stand losing, and he gets very nasty. You could see it on Wednesday night at the end, he was getting so grubby it was ridiculous. And let's not forget the face massage he gave Reynolds with his elbow when they were about the lose game two last year. A great player, but he let's his competitiveness get out of control when he loses. I guess he hasn't had to deal with it all that often.
sheek
Roar Guru
You're kidding, aren't you? Anything looks easy sitting on your lounge sipping a cold beer, or glass of wine. Just because there's on & off the ball stuff & niggle doesn't make it any less tougher. The pace is usually faster than most club games, & there's genuine guts in seeing a game out. The hits hurt, & you just have to get up again & back into the line. I don't buy the hype of Origin & I don't think the standard over the past few years, matches bygone days, but it's still the best rugby league you'll see. Generally speaking. Although the Kiwis have been roughing the Roos up lately as well. What I suggest is that you just watch it for what it is, sporting entertainment, & don't get caught up in the jingoistic hype that this is the greatest sporting moment you can possibly experience.
Jack
Guest
In terms of genuine toughness I thought the ANZAC test this year was actually the high watermark... The kiwis stuck it to us like nothing else and it's a crying shame we couldn't see more of it.
Hutchoman
Roar Pro
On the topic of "players know they cannot be hit", this is the only reason why Slater even contemplated picking a fight with Tamou. Ten years ago that would have been the classic two hit fight. All hail the King Grub, Slater.
zim
Guest
Seems you've only got one eye to go between those two heads. Cam Smith is always looking to get that grubby niggle in there when he's making the tackle, even for Melbourne. How is it retaliating when he squeezes Merrin's head between his knees when Merrin's already wrapped up by 2 other defenders? NSW aren't angels but QLD are worse and they also use those tactics for their respective clubs.
Bails
Guest
SOO was always played in terms of refereeing with in the spirit of the game, since its conception the officiating of the game was inline with domestic and international competitions, it is only in the last 10 years that SOO has taken on what is now called "different interpretations of the rule" from a retereeing standpoint. The players played the game with more passion, but the Refs ran the game from the rule book and in the same manner as they would a NRL BRL NSWRL QRL International game, This has changed in the last 10 years.
Bails
Guest
don't bring QLDers into your grubbiness, we have players who will retaliate because we won't take a backward step, but we are not the instigators, the first grub tactics on the night came from Woods and Tamou and that set the scene, just like Gallon said they would, you got to learn to read what people say, Gallon calling QLD grubs is excusing their team to go on a grubathon and the refs didn't do anything about it. They knew not to do anything. Just like punches, In the 1990's in state of origin if you threw a punch you were sent off but the QLD went on a winning streak and suddenly the refs were allowing punches untill the media put pressure on the nrl to reintroduce the sendoffs..