http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/sta...mpelling-feature/story-fn31yxah-1227339636422
Making Pacific players eligible for State of Origin risks ruining the series most compelling feature
Paul Kent The Daily Telegraph
NOBODY can properly explain why State of Origin works. It shouldnt.
In the early 1980s Queensland had no team in the big competition in Sydney but they won anyway. For many years they had one team, the Broncos, against 10 Sydney clubs plus Canberra, and they still won.
Even now they have just three teams and yet just a gentle reminder and they will tell you they have still won eight of the past nine series.
You could argue Queensland put an unhealthy emphasis on Origin. Just a short walk down Caxton St is required to confirm it.
But it works because only a Queenslander understands and because we have no other choice but to take them at their word.
And now the NRL wants to tinker with that.
A planned review of the eligibility rules will surely include State of Origin eligibility and whether, given the mighty performance of the Pacific teams over rep weekend, their development might be further accelerated by allowing players to turn out for Fiji or Tonga or Samoa or wherever they are from but also play for Queensland or NSW.
Dont blow it.
Origins mystery formula is still the magic that makes it work.
Nobody can guarantee that if it is ever broken they will be able to get it back.
And for what? To cash in on a feel-good moment after unexpected fun from one weekend of rep football.
We must stop using Origin as a bargaining chip.
When Sam Burgess signed to play rugby last year South Sydney owner Russell Crowe came out the following day saying that if Burgess had been allowed to play Origin he might have stayed.
It immediately created debate, driven by emotion, so always the worst kind, over the role Origin should play in strengthening the NRL competition.
Sonny Bill Williams never deserted his Kiwi allegiance but an offhand remark about how hed love to play Origin sparked a thousand conversations.
Williams was saying it from a competitive point of view, an acknowledgment that Origin was considered the toughest environment in rugby league and he would love to test himself.
The Blues even examined whether Williams could play Origin in 2013, only to learn he no longer satisfied the revamped eligibility criteria.
Dont worry, it was a possibility.
Making Pacific players eligible for State of Origin risks ruining the series most compelling feature
Paul Kent The Daily Telegraph May 06, 2015 10:55PM SHARE
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Origin: Rep round reaction4:43
NOBODY can properly explain why State of Origin works. It shouldnt.
In the early 1980s Queensland had no team in the big competition in Sydney but they won anyway. For many years they had one team, the Broncos, against 10 Sydney clubs plus Canberra, and they still won.
Even now they have just three teams and yet just a gentle reminder and they will tell you they have still won eight of the past nine series.
You could argue Queensland put an unhealthy emphasis on Origin. Just a short walk down Caxton St is required to confirm it.
An exciting weekend of Pacific Test footy has raised Origin eligibility questions.
An exciting weekend of Pacific Test footy has raised Origin eligibility questions.Source: News Corp Australia
SHAKE-UP: NRL considering eligibility overhaul
IKIN: Why Test shaming spells trouble for NSW
VIDEO: Origin crisis? What crisis, says Daley
But it works because only a Queenslander understands and because we have no other choice but to take them at their word.
And now the NRL wants to tinker with that.
A planned review of the eligibility rules will surely include State of Origin eligibility and whether, given the mighty performance of the Pacific teams over rep weekend, their development might be further accelerated by allowing players to turn out for Fiji or Tonga or Samoa or wherever they are from but also play for Queensland or NSW.
Dont blow it.
Origins mystery formula is still the magic that makes it work.
Nobody can guarantee that if it is ever broken they will be able to get it back.
And for what? To cash in on a feel-good moment after unexpected fun from one weekend of rep football.
We must stop using Origin as a bargaining chip.
When Sam Burgess signed to play rugby last year South Sydney owner Russell Crowe came out the following day saying that if Burgess had been allowed to play Origin he might have stayed.
It immediately created debate, driven by emotion, so always the worst kind, over the role Origin should play in strengthening the NRL competition.
Who's a Roo no more?3:04
Sonny Bill Williams never deserted his Kiwi allegiance but an offhand remark about how hed love to play Origin sparked a thousand conversations.
Williams was saying it from a competitive point of view, an acknowledgment that Origin was considered the toughest environment in rugby league and he would love to test himself.
The Blues even examined whether Williams could play Origin in 2013, only to learn he no longer satisfied the revamped eligibility criteria.
Dont worry, it was a possibility.
Should Pacific players be eligible for Origin?
Yes, they're such a big part of the NRL now anyway
Something to consider, the game has to keep growing
No, it's NSW v Qld - and if it ain't broke, don't fix it
VoteView ResultsPolldaddy.com
On NRL360 on Tuesday night a viewer put up the idea whether a Pacific nations tour, brought together much like the England and Ireland Lions, would be feasible.
It is such a tremendous idea the leagues should be working on funding for a northern hemisphere tour right now.
Send them over for when New Zealand tour England at seasons end.
Turn that investment into development, but dont pollute Origin by bringing in players whose priority is elsewhere.
For years this has frustrated the growing force in international football, New Zealand.
Benji Marshall was on NRL360 on Tuesday night questioning its place as a second-rate contest.
We thrive on representing our country and there just seems to be many people in Australia that talk about Origin being the pinnacle, and not so much playing for your country, Marshall said.
And thats a little bit confusing for me because wouldnt you want to represent your country more than your state?
It just seems like Origin is pumped up, its more important to make Origin than it is for Australia.
Origins rise to prominence happened organically.
Its appearance in the 1980s coincided with a drop in international standards the Kiwis and Great Britain struggled for any consistent result against the Kangaroos and in that vacuum Origin stepped up.
Nobody came in and said they were going to make Origin the number one game in town. Channel 9 did not create the interest, but reacted to it.
It was the football that got it there.
It happened because Queensland upped the stakes and forced NSW to equally buy in or get left behind.
New Zealand is finally getting itself to a similar place. If the Kiwis can continue their trajectory Australia will be forced to match them or get left behind.
Other nations should be encouraged to do the same, not gifted Origin starts to cash in on current trends of goodwill.