Over the last ten years, Queensland have been dominant in State of Origin while New South Wales have only managed one win. This Wednesday will see a New South Wales team with five new debutants.
In 1995, Paul Vautin named a ‘no name’ rookie team for Queensland, who went on to win that year’s series 3-0.
The best thing about football is anything can happen, so we should wait until the end of Game 1 before we have our say on Laurie Daley’s selection intelligence.
State of Origin is the most prestigious and exciting part of football, the greatest rivalry in sports. It has such great history. Origin began in 1980 and the series format in 1982.
There have been 34 series, Queensland winning 19 times, New South Wales taking out 13 victories. There has also been two draws (1999 and 2002).
In 1980 and 1981, each year had one match apiece both won by Queensland, 20-10 and 22-15. There have been 105 matches, Queensland with 56 wins, New South Wales with 47 victories and two drawn encounters.
Lastly, the amount of tries and points are the following:
New South Wales: 275 tries and 1,618 points.
Queensland: 323 tries and 1,762 points.
Total: 598 tries and 3,380 points.
Let’s hope this series will be another memorable one for the fans of rugby league worldwide.
Jimmmy
Guest
Bledisloe ! Very funny man.
Bluebag
Guest
Good article Adriano.
Jacksyd
Guest
The Dugan injury is a blessing for NSW, no offense Josh. Bring in LACHLAN COOTE and NATHAN PEATS for Farah and we are on the mark.
nerval
Guest
It doesn't quite reach the highest tv rating of the year in France though, does it?
Targa
Guest
Note to editors, you don't need to write " five new debutants". If they are debutants, they are new.
Norad
Guest
FOX FOOTY host Gerard Whateley added fuel to the fire, claiming Gallen would have copped a 12-week ban, reduced to nine, if he did what he did in an AFL match “But in the world of the cavemen, you get one week,” Whateley said on AFL 360. The NRL banned Origin punching after Whatley and his AFL media gang ripped into cave man league. Its the AFL way. If league has something good, then rip it down via the media. Origin was their target. Now its ruined. But NRL changing its game won't make Whatley & co ever be NRL fans. That's what makes the NRL actions so dumb. The NRL ruined league for league fans to please people who will never be league fans, no matter how soft they make the game. And despite Whatley's claim, last week Port Adelaide's Tom Jonas got a 6 week suspension for a blindside blow to the head 10 times heavier than what Gallen did man to man.
mikeT
Guest
The greatest rivalry in sport ... Haha
Adrian Megale
Roar Rookie
I enjoy the fights of State of Origin, timeless classics. I do understand why the fighting is no longer allowed as it's a game of football, not a fight in the boxing ring. I cannot forget some of the memorable matches such as Game 2 in 1985 and 2005. Game 2 in 2005 is my favourite State of Origin match which New South Wales won 32-22.
Gavin
Guest
If you want to see a rivalry with more fights. Biarritz v Bayonnes in French rugby. Was it a couple of years ago the captain of Biarritz's dad came out on the ground to throw punches as well. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Adrian Megale
Roar Rookie
Very good point Don and they're very intense rivalries but I do stand with my opinion.
Don
Roar Rookie
Maybe just qualify it back to the greatest rivalry in Rugby League or even still gild the lilly a bit and call it the greatest rivalry in Australian sport (and upset our other code fanciers.) But the greatest rivalty in sport - nup not even close (and I am a big fan.) Off the top of my head; Australia V England in cricket, Inter V Milan, Barcelona V Real Madrid, Aust V NZ Bledisloe, Red Sox V Yankees, any number of football games from around the globe comps, even games like Alabama V Auburn in college football equal or better SOO. And if including the number of fights, hatred among fans and history of the rivalry counts read up a bit on Boca Juniors V River Plate or Fenerbahce V Galatasaray (this one is a ripper.)
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Enjoyable Origin niggle you two.
Norad
Guest
Good post Adriano. The Blues and Maroons only come into existence when they play each other. There are no other football teams in the world who have that.
Adrian Megale
Roar Rookie
No rivalry in sports has got better history or seen the amount of fights between two rivals. We're not talking about boxing, kick boxing, any kind of karate, UFC, MMA or WWE, this is football. Also, telling me to get in a cab to the airport and catch a plan somewhere is very weak. If I wanted to go to Game 2 in Brisbane by plane I can. You really need practice with your calls. There's also a term called "each to their own" everyone has the right to an opinion and to make their own choices so rather than come up with a weak insult, actually find something better to do with your time.
Kevin dustby
Guest
The greatest rivalry in sports? You need to get in a cab to the airport and catch a plane somewhere