My girlfriend posed a curious question during the first State of Origin match: If rugby league were invented tomorrow, would anyone want to play it?
Think about it – if somebody asked you to find 12 mates, a patch of grass, colour coordinated outfits and an egg shaped ball – you’d probably find it strange.
If they explained the rules – without any protective gear, you get five turns to get that ball over the other team’s line and while you move forward you must throw the ball backwards.
Also, most importantly, you’re allowed to attack, whack and smack the other team to stop them doing the same.
I’d wager if somebody suggested this game to you, well it would sound kind of funky. And this is all before trying to explain scrums, the history of the corner post and the exact purpose of The Bunker.
Not to mention the fact that if you’re any good, you’ll probably have to live in the north of England, two states in Australia, or Auckland if you want to make it professionally.
We’re also assuming this non-rugby league parallel universe doesn’t have rugby union or gridiron with which to compare.
Though, to be honest, in the rugby league filled paradise in which we do live, it’s still difficult to explain why we have versions of essentially the same sport but some with 7, 9, 13, 15 players on the field, plus the one in North America with funny helmets.
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Now I’m being a little facetious. You can make anything sound peculiar. A novel is just a bunch of words, a movie is just pictures of other people. Hell, life is just a bunch of stuff you do until you die.
But it is worthwhile to take a step back and think about these things from time to time. When it comes down to it, we love rugby league because it’s all we’ve really known. If it were pitched to us as a brand new sport, it would sound pretty peculiar.
State of Origin grips me every year, but I don’t often stop to think about why. It’s just a given.
When I think about it, I’ve got no real grievance with New South Wales. In fact, if I were born a few hours south, I’d have to support them myself.
If I were born in nearly any other place on earth, I’d probably love soccer. So the fact I invest so much in three footy games is outright crazy.
That rugby league exists at all is strange. That we have State of Origin, the best version of it here on the eastern seaboard of Australia, a hundred years after it was invented in England, is even luckier.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad I can witness and take part in State of Origin mania. But in so many other contexts, the sport is a bit odd.
If it were invented tomorrow would anyone want to play it? Probably. It might just take a hundred years and a lot of luck along the way.
Dr Yes
Guest
Yep, the gladitorial nature is "out there". Cam Inman (San Fran 49ers journo) called it a "medieval fierceness". Probably get arrested in the park, lol. But that, plus the action and ball moves is why we watch - esp during Origin. The trench lines and direct contact mean more man v man competitveness and need for skillful, tough or fast manouevres. Various tactics have room to breathe. And teamplay and smart passes beat going solo. If there's a better balanced, 'action' territorial game on the planet, I'd like to know.
Chris
Guest
Rugby League should of been more popular in the UK as we all used to play British Bulldog at primary and high school.
Timmuh
Roar Guru
This is very true. Take a small ball, now hit it into a small hole 350 metres away, using these sticks with a weirdly shaped end on them that could hardly be less suited to the task. Nobody will play that, much less watch it. Except over 5 million in the US alone on a bad year for a major golf tournament. Most sports are odd things that somehow developed from some backyard or schoolyard game made up on the spot, modified over time, and somehow became written rules that a wide number of people take for granted. Watching sport is even more odd. What real connection do most of us have with clubs of any sort. Sometimes we live in the area, but the vast bulk of people have little mopre connection than that. Why does it matter that some suburb we don't live in beats another one, when we know nobody involved? Its an odd form of tribalism, with little basis in logic.
Lonnie Gilroy
Roar Rookie
Then wait about a hundred years after that first dare and we're all debating shoulder charges, forward passes and obstructions. Crazy.
Albo
Guest
Hates that 3rd man in flop !
E-Meter
Guest
You could say that about any sport. Although running, javelin and weightlifting might be more 'natural' sports. Running - chase the animal. Javelin - spear the animal. Weightlifting - carry the animal home. Man v Food.
Ecka
Guest
Is the idea to see who can hurl the furthest or how much grog you can sink before you do? Is there bonus points for doing both? Is there a handicap for drinking midstrength? Do you have to be Irish to compete? Do they have a grandparents clause in the elegibility rules? Is swearing acceptable if you pronounce it as 'shite' or 'fekn'? Im intrigued by this so-called Irish Hurling... Where do I register?
Adrienne
Guest
I suspect most sports, especially those 'crazy notion' ones, originated from a dare. "I DARE YA to grab that ball and smash into that bloke as hard as can to try and get past him". ...just a thought
Lidcombe Oval
Guest
What about Irish Hurling
Jimmmy
Guest
I have an idea for a new sport. Let's say we get an octagon shaped ring and we allow two people to get in that ring and beat the living daylights out of each other, with basically no rules. Nah , people would never be silly enough to play that and Surely no one would watch anything that violent. What was I thinking??
Jimmmy
Guest
She loves the collision Max.
kk
Roar Pro
Does your girlfriend enjoy body contact?
Tim
Guest
Your girlfriend thinks too much !
Duncan Smith
Guest
Good article. Many things in life are weird when you actually stop and analyse them.