Amongst the British rugby league community, there is general respect for State of Origin. We appreciate the chance to see the best players in the world go hell for leather in the Greatest Game of All.
It makes for a nice change to our spasmodically sub-standard product and the machinating politics that would offend tinpot dictators with comparisons to Banana Republics.
But there’s a subset that views the series as a bit selfish, symbolic of an inward-looking attitude that neglects the potential of the international game in both hemispheres. If only Australia played more international games, what a show we would have! As a fan introduced to the game by the World Cup, I held onto this belief for a long time.
No doubt that’s the wrong and very simplistic attitude, neglectful of the real-world situation, marred with nostalgia, what-ifs and a heavy dose of jealousy. But the rugby league public here, who are raised on tales of sell-out Kangaroo Tours and who fantasise about how good a win over the Aussies would be for the game, envy the riches and profile of rugby league in Australia.
I’ve always maintained that the domestic game would be bigger than the international game (and that I was fine with that), but with the caveat that there is room for the both.
I include Origin domestically because it covers the same principle that a strong Australian game – even if it makes the rest of the world comparatively weaker – is not detrimental to international development. It should not preclude such efforts, and can be beneficial.
The series provides a better spectacle with far greater reliability than international ties. It’s very reasonable on the part of the Australian onlooker to say that it’s up to the other nations to get up to Origin standard. Blues-Maroons guarantees the big bucks, so why should that money be diluted taking a punt on investing to other nations, with no guarantee of similar income or competitive clashes?
I also appreciate the irony of complaints from some English quarters of Australian neglect for the international game. Our internecine hullaballoo vis-à-vis Toronto and inability to schedule ‘rep’ games here is an embarrassment of Johnsonian proportions.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
I’ve learnt to appreciate Origin’s potential to galvanise the international game. It has the potential to draw in an otherwise disengaged public, the best that the game has to offer can act as a gateway to the sport.
It is one of the few foreign spectacles that BBC Radio broadcasts – and one only need glance at Papua New Guinea to see the pull it can have.
Then there’s the mid-season representative weekend, mainly put in place to accommodate a weekend Origin fixture. With no NRL that weekend, eyeballs and attention can be turned to New Zealand, Polynesian and Melanesian internationals.
Acting as an ‘undercard’ to Origin, but growing in stature all the time, such fixtures can fill a schedule usually reserved for the eight club matches, bringing viewership and profile to the ‘other’ representative footy.
A Prime Minister’s XIII, players not involved in either state camps, could be assembled by an otherwise thumb twiddling Mal Meninga to take to Papua New Guinea or elsewhere. It would hardly galvanise the Australian public, but would generate great interest in the host country, provide quality opposition and a chance to improve player quality.
I fully accept that it is up to the rest of the world to reach Australian standards; all we ask for in trying to achieve that goal is a bit of help, with guarantees that it would be in no way detrimental to Origin.
Even if it’s only one or two games a year, allow for regular games and a reliable schedule that can allow national teams and boards to organise long-term, secure player buy-in and search for revenue.
It would help if we could try not being so disparaging to international competition. I’ve said this before, but it’s wrong to look down one’s nose at sides made of diaspora players, rather than accepting their identity.
NRL clubs need to release their players when called up. Nothing grates more than the potential for great rugby league, ruined by stubborn managers refusing to allow players to leave their camp (see then Bronco Wayne Bennett refusing to release Samoan Anthony Milford).
And finally, have patience. It could take a long time for any side to reach the Kangaroos’ level, but it took a long time for Origin to blossom into a battered down interstate formality into the great spectacle it is today. We aren’t asking for the world, just a chance to show you what the world can do.
clipper
Roar Rookie
You do know that the times is a bastion of the English establishment and is pitched at the higher end of the market? You'll be waiting a long time to see any league articles there!
Paulie
Guest
The problem with international league is "Money" the big rugby clubs in the UK and France are wealthy and owned by millionaires money talks in our modern sporting world. Toronto mayof been an exception but reports of players not being paid put rest to their franchise.
Mr Alias
Guest
Good Article. 99% of Rugby League fans are aware that State of Origin is the pinnacle of the sport and the highest level.. it's just the other 1% that are deluded
Walter Black
Guest
The thing I liked about Toronto was that they liked to push the envelope and with that were stirring things up in a Superleague far too content to just do what it does. A successful Toronto in Superleague could have ignited all sorts of revenue streams which today we are just left dreaming about. Arglye deserved better for all his money and willingness to take a risk and to inevest in what he believes in but yet again, the gods kick Rugby League in the teeth. I pick up an on-line copy of the British Daily Times newspaper every day. Union has at least one article every single day but League ..... I am still waiting after 2 years. That in a nutshell is the BIG problem with Superleague - zero exposure.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Hi Andrew. I agreed, a strong opposition makes you better.
Daniel John
Roar Pro
“ NRL clubs need to release their players when called up.” Hear hear! Such a disgrace there are no repercussions for players that pull out of rep footy with weak excuses - needs to be changed. Nevertheless, In a COVID-free future, the way forward is definitely test football. Prior to the pandemic, the IRL body finally set a calendar for the international game which meant meaningful tests for Aus/NZ/Tonga/Samoa/Fiji/PNG/Cook Islands in the Oceania Cup, the return of Aus tour to England, Euro Cup involving Eng/Scotland/Ireland/Wales/Italy/France as well as lower ranked nations AS WELL AS America’s and African comps and other meaningful tests. It is such a shame this opportunity couldn’t come to fruition due to a virus. “We aren’t asking for the world, just a chance to show you what the world can do” When the building blocks are reset post-pandemic, the game needs to persist with test footy. There is so much potential and a long term strategy must be adhered to.
andrew
Roar Rookie
I hope not, I'd like to see a strong Super League, no excuses when the Kangaroos beat you lot!
Sam Drew
Roar Guru
I agree with that, and I'm more than happy to criticise our governing body for not doing so. An annual test against France is a minimum. 2020 is a lost year, in so many ways. But 2021 may possibly be much better for you guys - it certainly won't be for us. There's the possibility of international games if trans-Tasman bubbles are opened
Sam Drew
Roar Guru
Sorry, I generally meant the history of NSW VS QLD. When 'State of Origin' started in the '80s, it was huge. But before that, the interstate series was losing interest. That was when it was what competition you played in (NSWRL or QRL), not what state you were born in. It took a revamp to really get it going again I think https://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2010/06/16/2928672.htm
Sam Drew
Roar Guru
Yeah I'm English, for all my sins. See both Super League and NRL, and there's absolutely no comparison. The scrum situation is a bit mental: our players aren't bubbled, so its for 'Covid-security'. Players also get fined £250 for celebrating together But the general game is a mess over here. Lockdowns don't help, but there's fears of a drastically reduced TV deal next year that would leave us scraping onto professional status. With Toronto kicked out, there's no long-term vision, just stumbling from one poorly handled crisis to the next.
Nat
Roar Rookie
Agree with the first part but you've missed the point on the 2nd. Origin isn't about the best players in the NRL, it's Qld v NSW, steeped in tradition and passionate rivalry that predates the NRL. You throw every great player in there and it's just another gimic rep game like the All Stars turned into.
andrew
Roar Rookie
Hey Big Daddy, I'm sick to death of the hype around Origin. I'd sooner see my team win the premiership than my state win Origin. I can remember the Bulimba cup as a schoolkid when Ipswich, Toowoomba and Brisbane had some real battles.
Big Daddy
Guest
Andrew, that was one of the things I used to look forward to was the Great Britain tours. As a youngster growing up in the country the Division sides player the tourists and those matches weren't for the faint hearted. It's a blight on the NRL/NSWRL we don't have City v Country and even the Country Championship is now limited to under 23 . With the game in such a perilous state due to COVID the first priority is to make sure Country and lower tiers in the city are the first priority when things are back to normal but I have a feeling the current administration is purely focused on the NRL and SOO.
brookvalesouth
Roar Rookie
You say that Australia should play more test football... I say that England should. You have a former super-power at your doorstep in France, and emerging test nations around Europe and the northern hemisphere that could benefit from a higher standard of competition. There is nothing stopping the RFL opening that pathway. Australia certainly should play more international football, but I get why we don't. That said, the NRL should facilitate more test football between Pacifika and southern hemisphere nations. This year is certainly an anomaly, so will 2021 in all likelihood, but theres no growth to be gained in State of Origin football internationally.
andrew
Roar Rookie
Sam,are you English? Your comment that the game in the U.K. is farcical. I've only seen highlights of the Super League here in OZ. Wondering is it because of the no scrums this year or just the game in general?
max power
Guest
"it took a long time for Origin to blossom into a battered down interstate formality into the great spectacle it is today" - incorrect - Origin was huge from the onset in the early 80s have a look at the origin sides this week - look at the players that are missing JWH, kikau, RTS, JFH, Taumalolo, CNK, Manu, NAS, Brandon smith, Tapine, AFB, Tapau, Bateman, Whitehead, Hodgson
Sam Drew
Roar Guru
Definitely wasn't having a go at the NRL for being inward looking, and definitely glad to see more international players in the team. I agree that lockdowns et al have made any attempts at growth difficult bordering on impossible, and that the best short-term hope lies in building the game outwards from a strong, consolidated Australian presence. The game in the UK is farcical right now. The article is just there to remind some that the international game can coexist with Origin. I remember being in Brisbane for the 2017 World Cup Final, talking to diehard Broncos fans who weren't interested in the competition. In the short-term at least, the best strategy lies in winning over those rugby league fans to the international game (hopefully bolstered by more foreigners in the NRL, looser eligibility rules and more rep windows), rather than moon-shot strategies destined for failure.
andrew
Roar Rookie
I'd like to see the return of the Kangaroo tour, where there are 3 tests and midweek games against some of the Super League teams. I don't know why it couldn't happen again. England has enough quality players to give the Kangaroos a real test especially with more English players now playing in the NRL.
Walter Black
Guest
For a National Competition that is so condescending towards the quality of international competition, we often have a very high percentage of foreigners in our teams. Origin is great and everyone loves it. It is a beacon for our game and shuts up all those other sports whenever it is mentioned. What we have to do is make internationals just as entertaining, just as anticipated and just as well attended. A lot of that is down to marketing or rather lack of it particularly in Australia / NZ but also in the UK. With all due respect, now is not the best time to be talking about these things. Covid has ravaged our game and killed off international participation at any level. It has pretty much killed one of our brightest prospects in Toronto and next year's World Cup (if it goes ahead) will be a disaster. What we should be doing right now is battening down the hatches, enjoying what we can and building for a great series of internationals in the future.