Well it’s over again. Goodbye State of Origin until 2017.
State of Origin inspires contrasting feelings inside me. I love it and loathe it with a passion. I love the 80 minute contest as a fan of rugby league. But that same fan in me hates the way the series undermines, overshadows and swallows almost everything else that rugby league has to offer.
However, this isn’t an article about the pros and cons of Origin. We debate and discuss that exact subject every year and I’m sure I’m not the only one bored by it.
I write this article because the same questions run through my mind every year when I’m enjoying the series. Why is Greg Inglis (born and raised in NSW) eligible for Queensland when Josh Hoffman (born and raised in Queensland) isn’t?
The same thing enters my mind when James Tamou is taking a hit up. Why is he eligible for NSW when other Sydney-raised Kiwis are not?
I know the answer to those, as do you. I won’t bore you by going over the nuances and small print of rugby league’s eligibilty loopholes.
This just all made me think, what if we took Origin to the extreme. It is already an extreme concept. What other sport on planet earth markets and promotes a glorified all-star series as the pinnacle of the sport?
Instead of New South Wales versus Queensland, why not Brisbane versus Auckland or Yorkshire versus Western Sydney?
I must admit I am not an expert on the geographical intricacies of each rugby league community around the world. So with a little help from my two good mates, Google and Wikipedia, I have selected sixteen Extreme Origin teams.
I have tried to select each team based on where each player was raised rather than where they were born. But with the way families move around for personal and economic reasons I’m sure there will be plenty of contentious selections with multiple regions claiming players.
I must confess I broke my own rules a couple of times to shoehorn players into regions where they were born rather than raised.
When debating each player’s eligibility you may find it helpful to use rugby league’s age-old eligibility rule: “that’s in Queensland!”
North Queensland
1 Billy Slater (c)
2 Valentine Holmes
3 Justin O’Neill
4 Nene McDonald
5 Kyle Feldt
6 Michael Morgan
7 Ray Thompson
8 Sam Thaiday
9 Kieran Moseley
10 Nate Myles
11 Aidan Guerra
12 Chris Grevsmuhl
13 Jason Taumalolo
14 Anthony Mitchell
15 Scott Bolton
16 Joel Riethmuller
17 Ben Spina
Country Queensland (players from outside North or South Queensland)
1 Ben Barba
2 Corey Oates
3 Cameron Munster
4 Dane Gagai
5 Josh Hoffman
6 Daly Cherry-Evans
7 Ben Hunt
8 Tim Glasby
9 Jake Granville
10 Matt Scott (c)
11 Chris McQueen
12 Gavin Cooper
13 Dave Taylor
14 Chris Sandow
15 Felise Kaufusi
16 Travis Waddell
17 Maurice Blair
South Queensland (Non Brisbane areas of South Queensland)
1 Darius Boyd (c)
2 Sam Perrett
3 Jack Reed
4 Joel Moon
5 Jordan Rankin
6 Moses Mbye
7 Ashley Taylor
8 Luke Bateman
9 Jake Friend
10 Ben Hannant
11 Ethan Lowe
12 Matt Gillett
13 Kevin Proctor
14 Nathan Friend
15 Alex Glenn
16 Jarrad Wallace
17 Lama Tasi
Brisbane
1 Anthony Milford
2 Edrick Lee
3 Tautau Moga
4 Gerard Beale
5 Corey Thompson
6 Johnathan Thurston
7 Cooper Cronk
8 Josh McGuire
9 Cameron Smith (c)
10 Dylan Napa
11 Josh Papalii
12 Jayson Bukuya
13 Corey Parker
14 Dunamis Lui
15 Daniel Vidot
16 Kurt Baptiste
17 Dave Tyrrell
Northern NSW (North of Sydney)
1 Latrell Mitchell
2 James Roberts
3 Jamie Lyon (c)
4 Greg Inglis
5 Bevan French
6 James Maloney
7 Jarrod Mullen
8 Aidan Tolman
9 Michael Ennis
10 Ryan James
11 Robbie Rochow
12 Boyd Cordner
13 Greg Bird
14 Kurt Gidley
15 Willie Mason
16 Luke Douglas
17 Mitchell Aubusson
South NSW (South of Sydney)
1 James Tedesco
2 Brett Morris
3 Josh Morris
4 Jack Bird
5 Euan Aitken
6 Jackson Hastings
7 Sam Williams
8 Josh Starling
9 Mitch Rein
10 Trent Merrin
11 Glenn Stewart (c)
12 Tyson Frizell
13 Dale Finucane
14 Korbin Sims
15Tariq Sims
16 Ashton Sims
17 Jack Buchanan
Inland NSW ( West and South West of Sydney)
1 Jack Wighton
2 Justin Carney
3 Blake Ferguson
4 Joel Thompson (c)
5 Charley Runciman
6 Jamie Soward
7 Daniel Mortimer
8 Jordan McLean
9 Cameron King
10 Jack De Belin
11 Isaah Yeo
12 Josh Jackson
13 Ryan Hinchcliffe
14 Glenn Buttriss
15 Tyrone Peachey
16 Jeff Lynch
17 Josh McCrone
Canberra (Canberra/Surrounding area Goulburn etc)
1 Josh Dugan
2 Joel Monaghan
3 Jarrod Croker
4 Willie Tonga
5 Jorge Taufua
6 Todd Carney
7 Terry Campese
8 Shannon Boyd
9 Mitchell Cornish
10 Brenton Lawrence
11 Ryan Hoffman (c)
12 Mark Nicholls
13 Paul Vaughan
14 Dayne Weston
15 Josh Chudleigh
16 Sami Saulima
17 Lachlan Croker
Inner Sydney (North, South and East Sydney)
1 Tom Trbojevic
2 Josh Mansour
3 Will Hopoate
4 Joey Leilua
5 Jason Nightingale
6 Kieran Foran
7 Adam Reynolds
8 Aaron Woods
9 Nathan Peats
10 Kane Evans
11 John Sutton (c)
12 Tom Symonds
13 Jake Trbojevic
14 Michael Lichaa
15 Martin Taupau
16 Brad Takairangi
17 Adam Cuthbertson
Western Sydney (West and South Western Sydney)
1 Lachlan Coote
2 Dallin Watene Zelezniak
3 Michael Jennings
4 Tim Simona
5 Pat Richards
6 Blake Austin
7 Trent Hodkinson
8 Reagan Campbell Gillard
9 Isaac De Gois
10 David Klemmer
11 Luke Lewis
12 Wade Graham
13 Paul Gallen (c)
14 Bryce Cartwright
15 Andrew Fifita
16 Frank Pritchard
17 Tepai Moeroa
Auckland
1 Roger Tuivasa Sheck
2 Manu Vatuvei
3 Tui Lolohea
4 Steve Matai
5 Antonio Winterstein
6 Thomas Leulaui
7 Shaun Johnson
8 Leeson Ah Mau
9 Siliva Havili
10 Jesse Bromwich (c)
11 Sia Soliola
12 Greg Eastwood
13 Elijah Taylor
14 Sam Kasiano
15 Sia Siou Taukeaho
16 Agnatious Paasi
17 Manu Ma’u
New Zealand combined (Non Auckland)
1 Peta Hiku
2 Shaun Kenny-Dowall
3 Dean Whare
4 Jordan Kahu
5 Jordan Rapana
6 TeMaire Martin
7 Benji Marshall
8 Adam Blair
9 Issac Luke
10 Ben Matulino
11 Tohu Harris
12 Bodene Thompson
13 Simon Mannering (c)
14 Jared Waerea Hargreaves
15 James Tamou
16 Lewis Brown
17 Nelson Asofa Solomona
Pacific Islands (Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa combined)
1 David Mead
2 Marika Koroibete
3 Solomone Kata
4 Semi Radradra
5 Suliasi Vunivalu
6 Israel Eliab
7 Penani Manumalealii
8 Sam Moa (c)
9 James Segeyaro
10 Fui Fui Moi Moi
11 Neville Costigan
12 Rod Griffin
13 Ukuma Ta’ai
14 Paul Aiton
15 Tim Lafai
16 Konrad Hurrell
17 Mark Mexico
Yorkshire
1 Jamie Shaul
2 Ryan Hall
3 Zak Hardaker
4 Leroy Cudjoe
5 Jermaine McGillivray
6 Gareth Widdop
7 Luke Gale
8 Scott Taylor
9 Josh Hodgson
10 George Burgess
11 John Bateman
12 Gareth Ellis
13 Sam Burgess (c)
14 Daryl Clark
15 Elliot Whitehead
16 Tom Burgess
17 Alex Walmsley
North West England (Greater Manchester/Lancashire/Merseyside)
1 Sam Tomkins
2 Joe Burgess
3 Steffan Ratchford
4 Kallum Watkins
5 Dominic Manfredi
6 Kevin Brown
7 Marc Sneyd
8 Chris Hill
9 James Roby
10 James Graham (c)
11 Liam Farrell
12 Ben Currie
13 Sean O’ Loughlin
14 Michael McIlorum
15 Mike Cooper
16 Joel Tomkins
17 Joe Greenwood
Great Britain Combined (Non Northern England)
1 Matty Russell
2 Kieran Dixon
3 Rhys Evans
4 Dan Sarginson
5 Josh Griffin
6 Oscar Thomas
7 Joe Keyes
8 Ben Flower
9 Lloyd White
10 Gil Dudson
11 Mike McMeeken
12 Tony Clubb
13 Louie McCarthy Scarsbrook (c)
14 Matt Cook
15 George Griffin
16 Ben Evans
17 Rhodri Lloyd
Niall
Guest
I'll definitely be watching that game. The Saints-Wigan games are always good viewing even if the star power is down compared to past years. At this moment they aren't the St Helens I remember. I don't get to see them that often but that flamboyant style just isn't there anymore. You have to think its a sign of the economic times not just the coaching staff. I think back to that St Helens team from around 10 years ago, players like Lyon, Long, Pryce, Wellens, Cunningham all in their prime. The forward pack with a young James Graham, James Roby and Jon Wilkin, when Wilkin was a tough skilful, hole hitting backrower rather than the makeshift halfback we see these days. Even players like Maurie Fa'savalu. If that team was around today you'd expect all of them to be picked up on big contracts by NRL clubs. That team is up there with any team I've seen. Probably the best in terms of entertainment value. I like a few players in the current team, Pervival, Walmsley, McCarthy Scarsbrook, Fages. But that same starpower just isn't there anymore. I'd love to see a few Super League clubs push the boat out and sign a few big names. Imagine Saints, Wigan or Warrington signing Jarryd Hayne until the end of the season. Of course people would complain but the positives of that kind of move surely outweigh the negatives. I've probably mentioned it before on here but the SL salary cap is just driving down standards. I'd rather the bottom chase the top than suck all the ambition out of the big clubs and force talent into different competitions. Same goes for the NRL.
Tripehound
Guest
We've got on a little bit of a role in recent weeks Niall, with yesterday's victory at Huddersfield that's four wins on the bounce. There are a lot of fans unhappy with our recruitment over the last few seasons and the style of football we've been playing under Keiron Cunningham. St Helens have, as long as I can remember, been renowned for their free flowing, flamboyant rugby and much of what we've witnessed this year has been more akin to the way St George played against the Titans the other day. Cunningham has come out with several bold statements in recent weeks alluding to quality signings and a change in the way we play for next season, in fact he claims he will be taking the Saints to the promised land! Back in the real world we have a chance of leap frogging Catalans into forth place going into the super 8's with one final round of league matches coming up this weekend. The Dragons need to drop a point away to Widnes and we have the simple task of beating our old enemy Wigan at the DW on Friday.
Niall
Guest
It's all confusing. What's happening at your club Helens at the moment? Seems like many fans are unhappy with the direction of the club
Tripehound
Guest
Yes mate pre-1974 all of the NW clubs from Warrington in the south to Barrow in the north came under Lancashire. These days the area of NW England consists of Cheshire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cumbria. All very convoluted but the messing around with the Lancashire border is cause for great consternation for those of us born in the red rose county!
Niall
Guest
If it was to happen in real life it would have to be North vs South. Its hard to see the NZ fans being passionate about the combined team. It would be like representing everyone but no one at the same time. The vast majority of rugby league players in NZ come from the North Island. There's a healthy amount from the South Island, players like Lewis Brown, Matt McIlwrick etc but you'd expect to the North to dominate any contest.
jamesb
Guest
Great research mate, well done. I would love to see Auckland v NZ combined game. Whether it's a series of 3 games, or a 1 off game annually. And the winner of that plays the SOO winner at the end of the season. I think a Auckland v NZ combined game should be considered in the future.
Niall
Guest
I definitely looked at Lillyman when researching. Must have got lost amongst the Warriors players when I was putting the teams together. Thanks for pointing that one out ?
Beergardener
Roar Pro
Don't forget Jacob Lillyman! Went to high school in North Queensland. Would start him for Sam Thaiday, move Thaiday to back row and Grevsmuhl to bench. Drop Spina. Great research regardless!
Niall
Guest
Willie is one of the great forwards of the last 30 years in my opinion. I believe given his talent, he actually underachieved during his career. He could've and should've been a 25 Origins, 35 Test caps player. His habit of rubbing people the wrong way never made that possible. I don't think the NRL fishbowl in Sydney helped him fulfil his potential. The strongest team for me is probably Brisbane. 3 all time greats in the spine with one of the most talented young players the game has ever produced in Milford. The only way to beat them would be to dominate the forward battle. I think only Combined New Zealand, Yorkshire and maybe Auckland could do that.
Niall
Guest
Glad you enjoyed it mate. Haha not pedantic. I should have included Cheshire. That's the funny thing about the debate of reintroducing the War of the Roses series. Different towns cross into different regions and counties. Yorkshire claim Cumbria and Lancashire claim anyone hovering around greater Manchester.
Tripehound
Guest
A little bit late in my praise for the research and article but absolute quality man. Just to be a pedantic arse, you'll have to include Cheshire in the NW England category for the Warrington born lads like Mike Cooper (haha).
Niall
Guest
Glad you enjoyed it, Pickett! ?
Niall
Guest
Thanks!! Glad you enjoyed it
Niall
Guest
Haha! No mate. Super Coach will never take over my life. I can't take anything like that seriously to be honest. I'm sure Super Coach is the reason half the rugby league community think Aaron Woods is the best front rower in the game. Hate the stat padders.
Pickett
Guest
A real 'think outside the square' article. Good stuff.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
You know this is how obsessions get started don't you. Pretty soon you'll be doing supercoach and it'll be a downward spiral into a fully blown addiction and life as you know it will never be the same.
KnightsFan
Roar Pro
Really interesting read Niall, excellent research aswell
Niall
Guest
Thanks mate. The boredom turned into intrigue and it just went from there. I wanted to have go a little further and have Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Hunter, Northern Beaches and Illawarra teams but that would have meant searching for obscure Queensland and NSW cup players, even Ron Massey Cup players. I was 3 or 4 players away from a non QLD/NSW combined Australia team but that was bridge too far. Glad you enjoyed it. ?
up in the north
Roar Rookie
What an insane amount of research to compile these teams. Take a bow young man, you must have been seriously bored. ;-)
Niall
Guest
Yeah, I'd definitely rather we grow the international game. This was more about me having a couple days off work and nothing better to do. On Coen Hess, I think Google and Wikipedia had him being from Bundaberg. Which I classed as Central Queensland (I'm not from Queensland) But I'm sure there are plenty of grey areas in all the teams and regions.