Origin is a special competition, from its unique nature fostered by a state duopoly on the NRL to the passion it ignites that is generally reserved for only the fiercest international sporting rivalries.
There is no other event quite like it in the world and everything that can be done to protect it must be considered.
After all, AFL had their own State of Origin series that petered out and died over time due to nervous clubs not willing to risk their players in what was seen as a pointless series.
But for NRL fans and players, Origin is not pointless. In a sport with little international competition, Origin could almost be seen as a hotly contested, yearly World Cup between the two titans of the rugby league community. Both state teams would beat most international sides with ease but one crucial element would be missing in those hypothetical contests.
Passion.
Passion is the fuel Origin has survived and flourished on for decades. Passion is what made Josh Morris limp back on to the field after tearing his PCL to tackle Greg Inglis and help give NSW their first series victory in nine years.
Passion is why Allan Langer answered Queensland’s SOS call to come back from England to fight for them one more time in 2001.
Without this passion, the game will wither into a husk of its former self and surely die, as it did in the AFL.
Unfortunately we can see a fleeting glimpse of this fading passion starting to occur with this Luke Keary situation.
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
When the new Origin eligibility criteria were introduced in 2012, Luke Keary was ruled as a New South Welshman despite growing up in Queensland and idolising their players as any young Queensland fan is bound by state law to do.
Naturally, there is some discomfort, then, that he is being forced to play for New South Wales and one can hardly blame him for that. In his mind he surely was a Queenslander – after all, he wrote to Todd Greenberg specifically asking whether his status could be changed.
I sympathise with him and this stubbornness does show his passion for his original state. The problem comes now that Keary is well and truly in talks for Origin selection, and he seems content to play for the Blues.
He has made a few feeble statements about how he is there for NSW “if they ever need me” and has been in and around the camp for a few years now, signaling his debut is imminent.
But fans of Origin don’t want someone to have to play for their state. They want them to fight for every chance they get to put on their maroon or blue jersey. No doubt the rumored $30,000 payment per game is alluring to players even on Keary’s salary, but it can’t just be about the money in Origin or the fans will sense it and the money will dry up anyway.
Now is the time, with recent talks firing up again about Queensland trying to poach Keary, for him to decide which direction to go in and stick with it with all his heart.
If he really has had a change of heart then he should come out firing, throw all the speculation away and shout from the rooftops about how he bleeds blue.
However, the fact that he hasn’t done this and allows rumors to keep swirling suggests he really does want to play for Queensland and is only begrudgingly putting on the opposition jersey.
Luke, if you still feel yourself a Queenslander, then fight for that. Fight to play for them and take it to the highest authority you can. NSW fans might not like it but they will respect it and your home state will love you for it.
It’s not the easy option but Origin isn’t about it being easy.
If you are a Queenslander, then be a Queenslander. If you are a New South Welshman, then be a New South Welshman.
The only thing Origin demands of you is to not be soft and, if you play for New South Wales despite still loving Queensland, then that is the soft way out and an unforgivable sin to both states.
Darkzero30
Roar Rookie
So what about Mahe Fonua? Born and breed in Melbourne Victoria,played all his rep footy for Victoria u12s all the way to u18s plays for the Melbourne storm,is eligible for Australia,so which state is he eligible for??
Macho
Guest
The under 16 rule didnt work because the Melbourne Storm schoolboy draftees were warehoused in Qld comp and despite growing up in NSW Folau and Inglis suddenly became eligible for Qld. Bizarre undersells it. The 2012 rejig of course means NSW annexes the ACT (so how can it be State of origin?) and the answer is always that the Canberra District RL plays in the NSW country league. It means of course that a person who turns up in Canberra at age 19 from Mars and gets picked for NSW under 20s (no State of origin rules apply) is then eligible for senior SOO. However a person who is born and bred in Canberra (like Cotric and vaughan) doesnt get picked for NSW under 20s paradoxically is not eligible for NSW SOO. However Cotric and vaughan were picked for NSW under 20s at least. How illogical is that though this is the greatest game of all. Qld SOO should be able to claim the next schoolboy RU star that the Storm draft in from New Zealand as compensation
farkurnell
Guest
Yeah No One ,its was the classic scenario ..if it aint broke why fix it.Never ceases to amaze me how RL shots its self in the foot by over complicating things ..just KISS.As I said before, what sports rule in the world allows the player to choice the outcome.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
There was only one factor for 25 years, and it worked. There were never any complaints, and it was black and white.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Can we just go back to original rule - where you were registered to play on your 16th birthday. It was the rule for decades until Gallop decided that what worked needed to be changed. You can't choose where you are from It isn't hard.
2blues
Roar Rookie
To be practical where would Queensland fit Keary in at present. Queensland already have three five eights in the team - Norman, Munster and Morgan. Also, I don't see him being preferred to Cherry Evans at half. He would be a bit of a waste of a player.
Superspud
Roar Rookie
Take your point mate. I just think that the idea that players performance is affected by the colour of the jumper is overrated .
Short Memory
Guest
You mean like Will Chambers coming from NT and playing for QLD? Of Nic Cotric from ACT playing for NSW?
matth
Roar Guru
He would therefore give up the chance to play for Australia as well. Last I checked he was Australian.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
You should see me in the mornings! Mostly it's just banter and stirring the pot for fun. If I ever get serious, you'll know.
Peter
Guest
I agree with you, you really are a cranky old bugger!
Tom
Guest
Obviously doesn't have much passion for NSW. If I were Freddie I'd select him for one game, and then drop him just to block him ever playing for Qld.
Rellum
Roar Guru
It does for some yes. Some people need that extra challenge to get them going. Go listen to the great cricketers of the 90's and they will talk about picking fights with other players just to get them going and perform at their best. Larry Bird use to give himself extra challenges in games just to make it more challenging. Players do not perform the same irrespective of the level they are playing at.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Two years running now QLD can't win an Origin series and already you can see the panic creeping in. Now they are faced with a Blue Dawn they hit the panic button and revert to their old habits of stealing NSW Origin players to help them get back in the winners circle. Who said history doesn't repeat.
Superspud
Roar Rookie
No argument about that. My point is that does it make rhem play better? Does it make them run harder. How long after the pre match hype and traditions does it last? Did Fifita play any better for Tonga than he did for NSW?
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Must still be suffering after effects of concussion if he wants to play for Qld. If thinking clearly he would have a preference for "The Winning State".
Busty McCracken
Roar Rookie
But that's just it. He's pledged his allegiance to qld. He made his decision then had a change of heart once told he couldn't be a maroon. That's not what origin is about
Beastie
Roar Rookie
I think you're referring to James McManus.
oldtimer
Guest
Emcie the web site says he left Qld at 10, and went on to represent NSW in a number of junior comps, he returned to Qld and played for 12months in QLD, he then returned to NSW. He is now 27 years old, which means he has spent 16 years in NSW, hating them all that time, I don't want him playing for NSW.
Beastie
Roar Rookie
Kalyn Ponga's out of luck then.