State of Origin has been dominated by Queensland for the last 12 years, in which NSW has tasted victory in just one series, which has seen my interest be seriously sapped.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a great spectacle, but do we really need three games to decide interstate dominance?
In a time where we are looking to grow the game internationally, with a Test to be played in Denver, Colorado on June 23 between England and New Zealand, the rise of the women’s game and even touch football, what place does this series hold in our hearts?
I’m financially invested in the St George Illawarra Dragons by way of a membership, have been for a long time now, and while I’ll be happy for the likes of Tyson Frizell, Paul Vaughan and Jack De Belin to be picked for Brad Fittler’s NSW team, part of me will be praying they come through the series unscathed, especially at a time when the Saints have begun to show signs of a mid-season slump.
‘Mate against mate, state against state’ may have worked in the 1980s but in today’s era of globalisation, and the need to grow the game across the world, it feels a little old-fashioned. Rugby league has evolved beyond the traditional boundaries of NSW and Queensland, with a successful team in Melbourne, the New Zealand Warriors starting to realise their potential and the aforementioned Denver Test. Let’s just hope that game is a better advertisement for rugby league than the 1987 debacle at Long Beach, California, when Peter Sterling got caught up in the banner as he ran out.
Origin is often labelled as pitting the best 34 players in the game against each other, but I can’t recall Sam Burgess donning the sky blue or James Graham, or Gareth Widdop for that matter. Remember Shaun Johnson’s heroics for the Maroons, or that time Jason Nightingale stole the game at the death?
Neither do I.
We have some brilliant Polynesian players in our game, but they must sit on the sidelines, unless Queensland can get even more cunning with the eligibility laws. It stopped being State of Origin when Tonie Carroll represented New Zealand at the 2000 World Cup, despite having played for Queensland in 1998. Then there’s the fact Greg Inglis was born in NSW, played for Hunter Sports High at the age of 16, but didn’t want to play for NSW and was magically a Queenslander because he signed with Melbourne and moved to Queensland.
Which is it, Greg? (Photo: NRL)
This concept began in the early ’80s due to Queensland whinging when things weren’t going their way. It also worked for Wally Lewis, whose unremarkable 37-game club career saw him elevated to Immortal status; great at Origin and okay at Test level, but certainly not an Immortal if you compare his club career to the likes of Reg Gasnier or Norm Provan.
Tonga’s success in the 2017 World Cup had me more excited than anything I’ve witnessed in Origin since, I dunno, the stapler incident featuring Michael De Vere, Brett Hodgson getting rag dolled into touch by Gorden Tallis, or maybe Shaun Timmins’ field goal back in 2004. These were great moments in Origin history, but the success of a previously dormant Tonga side did more for the game than Origin ever can.
Jason Taumalolo switched allegiances, then Andrew Fifita followed suit because he wanted some attention too. What about Kevin Naiqama openly crying during the Fiji national anthem? One of the most memorable sights in rugby league and a wonderful advertisement for the game and what representing your country means to players, especially those from the Pacific Islands.
If the Denver Test is a success it could lead to future Test matches and perhaps even NRL games – or at least trials – being played in the USA, exposing the game to an audience of over 300 million people. We could even lure some athletes down under to throw the ball over the grandstand at Henson Park ala Manfred Moore.
But seriously, there are some brilliant athletes over there, and many NFL hopefuls don’t make the final 53-man rosters, which is where rugby league can come in – but we need to take more games there.
I’ll support NSW again this year and following the rep retirements of Cooper Cronk, Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston, and the injuries to both Jarryd Hayne and Mitchell Pearce, I feel NSW has a great opportunity, but I’ll probably get more satisfaction following a successful Test match at Mile High Stadium, involving neither NSW or Queensland.
Mushi
Guest
Reasoned? It's an emotive article with little genuine logic or analysis and an ignorance of the subject matter.
Kevvies Mighty Maroons
Guest
Obviously written by a NSW Bloosers supporter who like his SOO team has no real idea about the history of the game from 1908 - ha ha ha interest in SOO seriously Sapped - You mean it's been Marooned :-) Is Tonga sustainable as a League Nation when Rugby is more popular?? Populations of Pacific island countries will mean this will be short lived - why they will stay as tier 2 nations one suggests Tonga - 109,000 Samoa- 200,000 Fiji - 910,000 League mad PNG - 8.5 Million.
duecer
Guest
Have to agree with the bulk of this article. SoO may not be bad for RL in Australia, but it's another nail in the international coffin, with the Australia star getting so bright that it overshadows all else - much like India is doing in the Cricket world, but much, much worse. Where are the overseas tours, where are the crowds being locked out because there was so much interest - even the RLWC final couldn't fill a secondary stadium, while SoO has no such problems, with the bigger stadiums all wanting games. Can't see it changing, as the golden dollar seems to be far more important than international growth. Instead of trying to strengthen France, who have a long and proud RL history, Lebanon gets through at the RW at their expense - with mostly ex NRL players. It's really the tail wagging the dog - imagine if the champions league was more important than the WC, Six Nations more important than the WC - yet that is what's happened.
Irony is thy name
Guest
The Canberra raiders seconds play for the NSWRL Mounties – they are aligned with them. The raiders do not own them . The Raiders were aligned with Logan I think in Qld once – does that mean they at that time can play for Qld? The Storm are aligned with Sunshine Coast – does that mean Victorians can play for QLd? – Read the rules below which do not mention aligned Leagues but relate to where a player was born or played the majority of their football. Simple Legal issue
Irony be they name
Guest
Deafening silence from Emcie
Drongo
Guest
Lewis was the best player in the world at his peak. By some margin. Watch a few of his origin games if you doubt that, nobody came close.
Rellum
Roar Guru
He is just someone who lives under bridges hopelessly trying to eat goats.
IRONY IS THY NAME
Guest
Emcie, In addition if an ACT player plays for a Qld aligned seconds team does that means he is eligible for Qld? That is simple analysis
irony be they name
Guest
With the 10% MARQUEE ALLOWNACE - WHY WOULDNT THEY?
Trent
Guest
Its because we're losing. Mind you, because we cant play the ball like QLD, and don't defend like QLD. But anyway. Its part sore losing, but part "wtf NSW?!" as well. Part of my hopes have come true: Gallen's gone (such a whinger). Now if we coild just pass the ball to each other and tighten the defence, and run it to the line (and win) I'll be happy.
Trent
Guest
SOO always been big. Every year, Ray Warren reminds us how many countries are watching. Ok, the "punch ons" of late arent as big (maybe a good thing) but its the three games i watch each year, because its footy i seem to relate to, bit more at stake, more energetic, and a lot fun to watch. But as usual, every year theres the whingers bigger than Gallen who lament Origin's "waste" (usually the only time of year Souths beat anyone, let alone Brissie because 90% of the players were on Origin duties). Usually the same whingers who say "the players are worked too hard" (for hundreds of thousands of dollars a year? Man up, ya wimps!) Origin makes money, it gains viewiers, it garners interest. If youre going to argue Origin, youre ignoring these basics, and forgetting the fundamentals - its business!
Trent
Guest
Reg and Norm whom? They were sure before my time - I grew up with Agro and his absolute immortalisation of The King. New South Welshie, I hated him at origin, loved him come Australia/Whoever. Rose tinted glasses, I'll say. But I wont be so rude to call Wally's career "unremarkable"
Nat
Roar Guru
It's exactly the same comparison chris. A League like NRL clubs have just a few stars in each team and when you put them all together in one team they produce a higher quality game - even the socceroos can be competitive on the global stage. I am not comparing the size of the game of NRL to Football, I'm saying a Rep game (WC included) is a better quality game and viewing spectacle.
Irony is thy name
Guest
Irony is thy name said | May 30th 2018 @ 3:18pm | ! Report The Canberra raiders seconds play for the NSWRL Mounties – they are aligned with them. The raiders do not own them . The Raiders were aligned with Logan I think in Qld once – does that mean they at that time can play for Qld? The Storm are aligned with Sunshine Coast – does that mean Victorians can play for QLd? – Read the rules below which do not mention aligned Leagues but relate to where a player was born or played the majority of their football. Simple Legal issue https://www.nrl.com/siteassets/documents/state-of-origin-eligibility-rules.pdf
Irony is thy name
Guest
The Canberra raiders seconds play for the NSWRL Mounties - they are aligned with them. The raiders do not own them . The Raiders were aligned with Logan I think in Qld once - does that mean they at that time can play for Qld? The Storm are aligned with Sunshine Coast - does that mean Victorians can play for QLd? - Read the rules below which do not mention aligned Leagues but relate to where a player was born or played the majority of their football. Simple Legal issue https://www.nrl.com/siteassets/documents/state-of-origin-eligibility-rules.pdf
mushi
Roar Guru
Hold on BA my answers vary wildly to yours or were you being facetious when you siad you weren't trying to be a jerk. Are the hits bigger? No. I'd answer yes. Are the tries more impressive? No I'd answer yes. Are they more frequent? No Agree here but not sure why that's relevant tries are more frequent in an 80-0 drubbing I still don't want to watch it. Is the game faster?; Apparently, though Joe Average wouldn’t be able to tell If it apparent then someone can tell And yes Does it make the game a better spectical? No – see above. Yes see above Is the tribalism greater? No – and to the degree that it exists it actually diminishes from the NRL clubs. I’d say yes, and it isn’t even close. That you are claiming otherwise betrays the honesty of your responses Not sure why the last part matters, you wnat some kind of protectionsit regime for an inferior product.
mushi
Roar Guru
Why should it be? I’m pretty sure this was negotiated by the RLPA so many disagree with you Also what does the inversion of the payments actually achieve? They can only pay the Australian players so doesn’t it just go to the same guys? Is there a slew of “young players” honestly going nah Mal I’m actually good no jersey for me the pay is too low?
mushi
Roar Guru
Won a few premierships and had his move south blocked. Also was the leading try scorer on that first broncos team I believe as a play making 5/8. His “okay” test career had 24 caps as captain
mushi
Roar Guru
And you sound like someone utterly cluelss of the subject matter they submitted an article on.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Which league do the Mounties play under mate? That would be the NSWRL ISP. So if a player from the ACT plays for Mounties first then they would come under the banner of the NSWRL. It's pretty simple