The plan to play two Origin games in Queensland next year, followed by two in NSW in 2017, should be scrapped following the blazing success of Wednesday night’s MCG thriller.
The battle over whether Origin should be used as a marketing battering ram in new territories has been around for a while now and the NRL has sensibly outlined an even-handed strategy of taking a game on the road every third year.
This takes care of concerns that NSW have been responsible for most of Origin’s missionary work in previous years.
But I find it difficult to remember a more impressive rugby league occasion in Australia in 29 years as an accredited journalist than Wednesday night’s Origin II, watched by 91,513 fans.
Not only was it a record crowd for an interstate match but – aside from the idiots who interrupted the minute’s silence for Ron Clarke – the atmosphere was uplifting, the pre-match entertainment hit the spot and the match itself lived up to the hype.
I say ‘in Australia’ because the Challenge Cup final at Wembley remains the sport’s no. 1 occasion to me, by virtue of it not just being a match but almost a defacto Northern Pride parade in London each year, with fans of all clubs and the sort of singing you don’t get in Oz.
This year’s will be even better, falling as it does on the 120th birthday of the game itself. But I digress…
Going back to two games each in Brisbane then Sydney looks, in the cold light of day after Wednesday’s triumph, a retrograde step.
Every sport needs a pilgrimage, an event that brings its supporters together in the midst of a campaign where they are forever on opposite sides of a fence.
Wembley does that for rugby league supporters in England and Origin could do it on an annual basis for fans in Australia and New Zealand.
It was actually refreshing to hear the TV news presenter here in Melbourne on Wednesday refer to Origin II as an event “rugby supporters” have been looking forward to – there is satisfaction to be had as the invading, misunderstood hoards from the north.
Imagine if, each year, rugby league fans could plan a trip to Auckland or Perth or Adelaide of Abu Dhabi or London (Dubai, you are dead to me) for an Origin game – while the game’s coffers were filled by incentives from the local governments.
This would also render the competition itself more even – one home game each plus a missionary visit to territories new.
Before we hear the arguments about other sports not stooping to sell off their blue chip products, have we not had a Bleidisloe Cup in Hong Kong, NFL matches in London, etc?
If there was only one Origin game each year, I could understand this argument – selling it off to the highest bidder would be morally desolate. But three? It’s built for compromise.
Look, I know that changing the plans for the next two years would be akin to a broken election promise. It’s not going to happen.
So after we go to the new Perth super-stadium in 2018, let’s just make sure we keep Origin on the road each season so we have more occasions to savour like this week’s.
Fatu Ah Siu
Guest
Why not put qld and nsw in the rugby league world cup. Why is scotland and wales in the rlif world cup. You can get away with it. Playing for qld or nsw looks more passionate. I do not think the kiwis can beat qld and im not offering excuses but realistically those qlders or nsw get up for their fellow teams than they do for australia. I know its silly but you have got be an idiot if you do not realise it. You could still play the aussie anthem for respective states and it also respectful to other nations who want play against the best in the world. Sorry kiwis but in qld it is like the all blacks you cant beat them it is a religion. Believe that.
Alvin Purple
Guest
Brian, Most of this list is one off sports which is what the SOO is all about for Melbourne. Not sure how RU is more popular than RL based on overall attendance but maybe you know more than me. Basketball is another one. Really a zero interest sport around the country now days and like football (soccer) can not even play in its proper season.
dayer
Guest
i wish there was more test matches
dayer
Guest
was it simple or complicated playing at Melbourne in front of more then 90k. what are you trying to say?
dayer
Guest
I agree 100% great article ...
Craigo
Guest
I truly believe the NRL will beat the AFL hands down in the next TV deal. It's a TV networks dream. So much content and different forms of the game from the 9s in New Zealand to the World Club Series in England. The NRL comp, SOO and to top it off international rugby league which is growing every year and getting incredible TV ratings in both Aus and NZ plus a World Cup to boot. All the AFL has to offer is a very poor Nab Cup and a very strong AFL season which has gone as far as it can go. I know which code I would want to invest in.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
The current format is fine. Like my friend the Irish backpacker said the other day, it would be like playing an all Ireland game in England. Nobody would go. It's a game between New South Wales & Queensland, keep it simple.
chris
Guest
I wish there was more teams for SOO like the 6 Nations but it's only a dream a dream that NSW/QLD/NZ/P.I.'s, and maybe even Vic and W.A. in it or a UK side.Mad but i want more.
peeeko
Roar Guru
yes this year they would but in other years either state would have beaten the kiwis
peeeko
Roar Guru
thank you for your positivity
Aaron
Guest
Oh no, the status quo
Aaron
Guest
Stop making sense guys. Don't you know nobody watches the highest rating program on television?
Aaron
Guest
Well you know some pretty inane people. The city was buzzing mate. Get on board. Things have changed a lot since the days of having to watch it at the crown with the storm. Or were you watching the EJ Whitten game?
At work
Roar Rookie
I partly agree with this, although would prefer it stays in at least Australia or New Zealand. And I would have game 2 each year at the neutral venue, with QLD and NSW taking turns with game 1 and 3.
nerval
Guest
On a subsidiary channel too. How would State of origin and the NRL Grand Final rate against, say, the AFL Grand Final were they all shown on a primary channel?
nerval
Guest
Draw pictures.
nerval
Guest
Yes, emride but don't let such great news for rugby league reach the ears of posters such as Minge and clipper - it might ruin their day.
Christian D'Aloia
Roar Guru
I've got no doubt that the state sides are far stronger than the Test side. It's an inconvenient truth, unfortunately.
Kirk
Guest
"We don't care" haha what a childish post
emride
Guest
Brian... are you Brian Waldron? You make as much sense as him.