The last ten years of Origin have been somewhat one sided. Queensland have absolutely dominated, winning a total of nine of the ten series played.
Flip the script to international play, the Kangaroos have somewhat dominated that stage of play, also.
This brings in an intriguing idea, for mine.
Has Origin lost its competitiveness? And is the international game more competitive than the hallowed rivalry of Origin?
In the last ten years, NSW have won one series. Not only that, but the depth within the Queensland ranks has deepened, with key positions such as hooker, halves, fullback – all strong enough to potentially cover three teams.
I can’t see the dominance of Queensland diminishing anytime soon. You take away Cam Smith, you have the likes of Jake Granville or Jake Friend to replace him.
Take away Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk – enter in Ben Hunt and Michael Morgan.
Furthermore to the point, we will see this year, take away the likes of Slater, and you have GI just waiting to take his fullback spot.
The depth for Queensland, is much too superior for NSW to counteract, even with youth on their side.
More State of Origin:
» State of Origin news
» State of Origin fixtures and kickoff time
» State of Origin teams
» James Tedesco should be Australia’s fullback
» Hey Laurie, don’t commit the same mistakes as those before you
Within the last ten years of international play, Australia has possibly fielded their greatest side ever. Rightly so, they have won on the plus side, of 80 per cent of Tests against New Zealand.
To argue the point for New Zealand, they have won a World Cup, numerous Four Nations titles, and currently, are ranked No.1 in the world.
These figures lead me to my ultimate point.
If international play got the respect it deserves, would a three-Test series between Australia and New Zealand be more entertaining than the current Origin series?
You finally have a competitive New Zealand team, with surprising depth, and the Australian warheads are more than over the hill. With that, international play has become more popular recently.
State of Origin on the other hand is suffering under Queensland dominance.
For so long, all the players put so much emphasis on their state jerseys.
Why not put the same pride into an international jersey and create a stage of Tests between the two countries?
For New Zealanders, the black jersey is the only jersey they can aspire too. Therefore, players push the boundaries to represent New Zealand.
In rugby union the international game is so highly accredited, it is seen as the ultimate achievement. Making the All Blacks or the Wallabies, even the Springboks, is a dream for many young rugby players.
Make rugby league internationals a spectacle and enjoyable to watch and it will be every bit as good as rugby union.
Footy Fan
Guest
Close tests are fabulous. Has been great to see NZ win some. Two points and one question. Obviously, close series see interest soar. Also, prevalence of great players swings results. Can we trust NZ's past decade of great performance will continue? Origin Despite 9-1 decade, majority have gone to decider, most games 1 & 2 down to a try or a couple of points. Yep, gives super interest. I think the top Aus greats in my life are: (1) Johns. (2) Beetson. (3) Fulton = Lewis = Thurston. (6) Sterling = Langer = Fittler = Lockyer = Smith. (11) Meninga = Ray Price. 1-5 are immortal-level and 6-12 are 'a bit under'. Maybe Lockyer & Smith could be moved up a peg - but, then so could Sterling, Langer & Fittler. How did they line up? NSW (Beetson playing for wrong state + Fulton) beat Qld (none of these greats) Qld (Lewis + Langer + Meninga) beat NSW (Sterling (a couple of series) + Price) NSW (Fittler + Johns) beat Qld (none of these greats - maybe Langer a bit?) Qld (Smith + Lockyer + Thurston) beat NSW (none of these greats) Shows them swinging results. There are many test-level players, but few a step above. NSW & Qld have had about equal number of greats. But occurring at random, about 2.5 per decade across both. Qld having 3 this decade and NSW none has given 9-1 result, but is also a very rare - about 10% chance. For greats, training, education & skills development are mandatory, but doubt they turn non-great into greats. NSW & Qld development are not so different, despite what anyone says. So we can't trust that Qld's performance will continue another decade, despite Hunt, Friend, Napa & the Milf. It's inevitable the worm will turn & NSW will dominate in patches - sometime. International I'd say NZ's greats would be Graham, Jones & Marshall (at his 3-year peak, not now). I have them about equal to (11) above. Is this mean? You tell me. Maybe a peg up? I have them ahead of Johnson, Wiki, McGahan, Bromwich, etc. In 2005 4 Nations NZ (Jones) beat Aus (none of above) In 2008 WC NZ (Marshall) beat Aus (Lockyer + Thurston) - well played, plenty of pressure, Marshall & Leuluai played at very best, Slater & Thurston each made an error that lead to NZ try. In 2010 4N NZ (Marshall) beat Aus (Lockyer + Smith) In 2014 4N NZ (None) beat Aus (Smith) Those are excellent results - against some players that dominated Origin. Can we put that down to excellent prep and team performance on each day? Or do we need to add someone like Mannering as a great? Bottom line, this has been a purple patch for NZ. Excellent results, no small feat. They're certainly growing, but not quite turning out as many top-level greats as Aus, suggesting more chance of results dipping slightly in next 5 or 10 years. So just a tad premature to switch to 'Origin mode'. If this happened & we had a 3-4 years of Aus wins, would put it's future at risk. In future, NZ will rise & sustain it. So should plan for it in future. If things are good in 5 years...
Footy Fan
Guest
Any chance of getting onto the International game, rather than a Kindergarten spat?
EastsFootyFan
Roar Guru
Just had a look. William needs to develop thicker skin when floating ideas obviously... I can see why he thought promotion/relegation seems like a good idea, but it is one that could cripple the competitiveness of an entire code of football in the vastly more competitive football environment of Australia.
EastsFootyFan
Roar Guru
My bad - I forgot to count the draw and did it from 28 matches.
The Barry
Roar Guru
It's silly. 37 years ago NSW v Qld was dead. Even in 2005 people were wondering if origin had a future. I'm starting to wish they'd ring the bell.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Willie came up with the worst possible suggestion for a two division league with no thought, planning or rationale behind it. Epiq was objectively and politely critical. Instead of coming up with a rational response of his own, Willie has decided that he's the only person on the Roar who's ever played sport and apparently resorted to name calling. Which is a bit weird given this is an opinion website. He'll be challenging him to a fight behind the toilet block before we know it...
Danger Mouse
Guest
how is 21 wins from 29 games exactly 75%
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
That's true. My beef has always been with the lack of vision behind the finality of the arguments that people use against Test football. Go England!
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yeah...if internationals continue at the high quality they are now then the passion will grow. It mostly has to be organic, with maybe a little marketing thrown in. You can't fake it.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I hope so.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Hahaha...are you fair dinkum? How pathetic...
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Internationals between the Big Three (plus a few others) are already just as good, if not better, than Origin. It will still take time for the hype for Test football to cement itself though as there is always a lag between innovation and application. Test football is just starting to go through its renaissance. The results will be forthcoming though.
EastsFootyFan
Roar Guru
Wow... that's pretty harsh and kinda personal. You two have some history or something?
Danger Mouse
Guest
I'd just be happy 2 see the kangaroos play the kiwis in NZ for once. Imagine the outcry if the wallabies had to play 3/4 of thier games against the darkness away from home.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Just you wait until the end of year Four Nations and this year's Anzac Test. The Kangaroos will have a tough time against the Poms and Kiwis. I'm tipping an Australia-England Four Nations final with England to win. They will absolutely dominate the Aussies up front.
The power of Will
Roar Pro
Thanks for the great input Epi
EastsFootyFan
Roar Guru
If the Super League managed to develop a wider appeal in England and was representative of more than just the north AND were beating Australia consistently, the International League would be a big deal in Australia. As it is though, half a century of dominance has created a decidedly paternalistic relationship between Australia and England that is unlike any other sporting relationship we have as its completely inverse. I would love to see it happen, but realistically the English just don't seem capable or interested in embracing Rugby League beyond its narrow northern corridor.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
It's been a slow day on The Roar mate...
EastsFootyFan
Roar Guru
I agree, and with the Qld spine aging at the moment I can see the Kangaroos having a couple lean years as the younger and hungrier Kiwis getting a few more wins on the board yet. But as I wrote above, for interest to truly increase though, I suspect the Kiwis would have to knock us off for a couple years on the trot - say 3 or 4. That would really get the fire in the belly going and would really make the tests a spectacle.
pete bloor
Guest
Obvious troll was too obvious epi