It's not the pinnacle for anyone outside of NSW/Queensland who don't watch/care about it. The problem is that a lot of Aussies don't seem to realise there is a world beyond their shores and the TV networks aren't stupid, they capitalise on this with the whole 'pinnacle' thing because they know the bogans will buy into it. Artificially making Origin the pinnacle lets them keep control of their product and guarantees them a midweek ratings draw three times a year, and the marketing strategy works just fine because self-aggrandizing is what a lot of Aussies do best.
Sport is 99% hype anyway, it's the same with RU and soccer in the UK. If you tell people that something is important over and over again, say it loud enough and enough times then people are going to believe you.
I suppose you need to watch an Origin live or live in Sydney or Brisbane to understand how big it is.
When i lived in Ecuador, when the national team played in soccer it was similar to State of Origin. EVERYONE would rush home, streets would close down and you'd see National jerseys everyone in support for the game.
Same here (in Sydney) with Origin, everyone just goes into Origin mode and doesn't matter where you look, people are going to watch it. (Even our trains, public buildings and VIVID light up for the Blues).
As i said before, Origin can have a positive impact in showing the strength of RL's popularity and as a spectacle, however as long as it doesn't ruin the International game then its ok in my book.
