That is why origin > tests

[Chief_Chujo]

Wait so you think League players will end up being paid more than Union players?:lol:

We're about to get a 1 billion+ tv deal and the ARU "war chest" is nothing but cobwebs now.

 

[Chook Norris]

wrong as per usual. nobody is arguing that origin is not an amazing contest, the hardest, fastest and most passionate game of rugby league on the planet. tonight was unbelievable!

but it is not the pinnacle of the entire sport or rugby league, which is bigger than two states of australia. it is not the pinnacle for literally hundreds of thousands of rugby league players, it doesnt even involve all of the sports best players.

Tamou's comments yesterday saying how playing a test was a "bonus" typifies what most players are thinking. Origin is what brings out the passion in most of these players.

As much as i'd like to see international rugby league expand beyond it's current potential, Origin is still the biggest game in rugby league. The massive tv ratings reinforce that. The pay-packet accentuates that; and each and every single game is a contest. It's a shame that international RL isn't bigger than SoO, which is the way it's supposed to be. But as of now and until the foreseeable future, SoO is the pinnacle of Rugby League and is what brings out most the passion from the fans

 

[winnyason]

f**k are we afl how f**king insular, let's grow the game the last few tests in nz have had 40 thousand plus.
The four nations final in uk had around the same, the game in france is getting there slowly. The thing league needs is the poms to get competitive at a regular level, sam tomkins needs to come to nrl a freak.

 

[ANTiLAG]

We're about to get a 1 billion+ tv deal and the ARU "war chest" is nothing but cobwebs now.

Errr, the big money for union is in Europe and Asia.

 

[druzik]

Origin Killed International footy, that's why its better.

Origin has been sold to Aus as the pinnacle and not test footy, Origin devalued Internationals, started to poach players etc...

If passion into Internationals was put back then they would be greater than SoO.

As it is the quality of Origin games is no greater than NRL, the parochialism is what gives it that edge.

 

[cornerposter]

May be the pinnacle now but the goal has to be to get Internationals to this level.

Is that why NSW are giving KIWI forwards work experience?

 

[beave]

I don't think the game reached any lofty heights skill wise, it was like watching a bar fight between 2 big guys who were throwing haymakers at each other, not exactly pretty but f**k me enjoyable to watch none the less!!!!!!

 

[kiwiaus]

Great to see Blatchy's Blues out in force, So glad I am going to Suncorp for Origin 3.

 

[cornerposter]

I don't think the game reached any lofty heights skill wise, it was like watching a bar fight between 2 big guys who were throwing haymakers at each other, not exactly pretty but f**k me enjoyable to watch none the less!!!!!!

:lol:

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

Okay, Gus Gould.

Hahaha this dumb merkin is back!!!!

 

[Tonearm Terrorwrist]

wrong as per usual. nobody is arguing that origin is not an amazing contest, the hardest, fastest and most passionate game of rugby league on the planet. tonight was unbelievable!

but it is not the pinnacle of the entire sport or rugby league, which is bigger than two states of australia. it is not the pinnacle for literally hundreds of thousands of rugby league players, it doesnt even involve all of the sports best players.

Tamou said he "switched" to play origin not tests. He couldn't give a toss about playing for Australia and has said as much. The players think its the pinnacle, the kiwis are jealous of it and nobody gives a shit about tests. Face up to reality.

Test matches are boring. Origin is next level.

 

[Frank_Grimes]

The NSW crowd in that last set where the Blues were keeping QLD down in their own 20 sounded pretty good. The cheers got louder as each tackle was made.

 

[Alan Johnson]

Yeah, it was intense. It's all down to the (relative) evenness of the competition and the extra effort the series draws out of the players. Competitiveness is the key to entertainment in sports imo and Origin is the exemplar.

Tests have a way to go but the potential for improivement is there. At the moment the Kiwis are always on the back foot (shit coach, shabby governing organisation) and that blunts their overall effectiveness. However, I don't think there is anything to be ashamed of in getting walloped by Aus most games when you consider relative resources of the two countries. I guess even with better coaching and more money the Kiwis can only realistically hope to win 1 in 4 games or thereabouts and that logically means that results will be fairly predictable. The results are far less predictable in Origin (aside from the last 5 years or so) and therein lies a key part of the drama.

 

[betcats]

The NSW crowd in that last set where the Blues were keeping QLD down in their own 20 sounded pretty good. The cheers got louder as each tackle was made.

This.

I think there were two sets we held them under twenty metres gained beofre Uate knocked on that kick, the crowd was absolutely awesome sounding for those two sets.

 

[_Johnsy]

disagree, too many knock ons, soft tries...

it almost felt like qld weren't trying, we'll see what true origin is in game 3

Needs a dose of reality & quick.

 

[Meth]

I'm not jealous of Origin at all. I think its great. At its best, its the best Rugby League in terms of intensity. Last night being the prime example. Although Test football, in a perfect world, should be the ultimate, it just has never been able to garner the same enthusiasm across the board.

 

[Meth]

Tamou is playing for money. As I've said all along, Australians ought to be more annoyed about this than Kiwis.

 

[Hutty1986]

This.

I think there were two sets we held them under twenty metres gained beofre Uate knocked on that kick, the crowd was absolutely awesome sounding for those two sets.

Doesn't get any better than that, got goosebumps just hearing it!!

 

[Dresden Dan]

Would love to see at same time as our Origin an annual 3 game Origin series between Britain & Kiwis or Britain & Pacifica (all the Polynesians + NZ). Build an annual rivalry. It would be very even. Then could pay all the players the $50K no matter which series they were in.

 

[betcats]

Doesn't get any better than that, got goosebumps just hearing it!!

Yeah mate me too! Don't think i sat down for the last ten or so.