Timmah for the Bluebags
The truth about Origin
As a New South Welshman, it’s been a sad and sorry seven years watching the once-mighty Blues crash to consecutive defeats under the strength and power of a much-vaunted Queensland side.
In interacting with Maroons fans over various forms of online and social media, it’s become plain to me that there is plenty of chest-beating and bitter, angry jibes pointed at those South of the border. And instead of getting calmer and enjoying each successive victory, the so-called “banter” goes from bad to worse.
To find out why this is, we really need to go back over three decades to the birth of Origin. For 70-plus years, Queensland was an aside to a brilliant New South Wales powerhouse, who won countless “Interstate” clashes. With few rules surrounding eligibility all the running was with the Blues, and the big money in Sydney always attracted the starry eyed young players, who never looked back. After such an extended period of hardship and disappointment, the concept of State of Origin became reality in 1980, and Queensland began their quest for redemption. Tired of being “little brother”, they won the first few matches which then became three-game series. It was deeply personal and winning meant more than anything – whether you wore the jersey or merely cheered from the stands.
With the passion in the Sunshine State clearly evident following the birth of Origin, south of the border, it wasn’t so much the case. For the first few years at least, it appeared New South Wales had enjoyed victory for so long it didn’t seem to matter quite as much that they lost early on. Once the late 1980’s and early 1990’s rolled around, NSW again enjoyed a period of dominance but it was still in many ways taken for granted.
Flash forward to 2012, after the loss of seven straight series. Despite the run of outs, interest in Sydney and around the state is at an all-time high. The last two matches at ANZ Stadium have sold out and don’t show any signs of not doing so in future years, and the viewing figures (in Sydney in particular) are breaking records year-on-year. Contrast this with Queensland’s attitude in 2006, on the eve of a potential fourth straight series loss themselves, where some within the ranks were suggesting Origin was a “myth” or “the concept was dying”.
Perhaps the saddest part for the Blues going into the next series in 2013 is that we face the prospect of losing Ricky Stuart as coach, after his signing at the Parramatta Eels. While the results aren’t on the money just yet, Stuart had brought the team back from the brink, restored confidence, and had them just a solitary point from series victory. It was the relative consistency of selection, forming a core of players in key positions that saw Queensland rise to power in the way they have, and Stuart seemed to have not only grasped that, but implemented the same strategy in 2012. The potential loss of “Sticky Ricky” could set that process back a year, or possibly more, as the side readjusts to a new method.
As for the fans – the most important thing is to not lose faith. Even if a new coach has to be found, there was enough shown during the last two series to suggest the Blues aren’t far from matching their competitors in all departments. The squad has a superb blend of youth, skill and experience which will provide a stable base for a number of years to come. This again contrasts with Queensland, where much of their spine and core players are ageing. In the last few seasons, Petero Civoniceva and Darren Lockyer are among a few names to have moved on.
Whether it’s fans or players, there is no doubting Queensland’s ongoing passion now, particularly given their current run. However, the truth is that Origin victory matters more to New South Wales now that it did to Queensland in the 1980’s. Queensland have finally found their footing against a once-great foe and it’s time for the boys in Blue to seek redemption and break the stride of the Maroons. They have to fight hard. We can’t let it become eight.
I’ll leave our enemies in the Cane Toad state with one final thought:
New South Wales – the state where Origin never dies.