The Origin 'Grind' and the 'Football' at Internationals

[Scubby]

Origin gets pumped up each year for its intensity and close fought contests. Rather than 'win' the games it seems to be a battle into submission. The number of 'risk' plays in Origin seems small which brings into play completions, kicking and dominating the ruck.

As an non-Australian observer it feels as though it is being kept artificially close and intense and even the superstars of the game won't take risks.

In internationals (particularly Aus/NZ/Eng) we see very expansive football and more risk/reward plays. The highlights reel for the 4 Nations will show spectacular plays. Of course what comes with this is spectacular mistakes and missed tackles as players push plays harder, offload and spread the football.

Both are different but does it make one superior to the other? I am amazed at how future immortals and superstars of the game will play 80 minutes of 5 drives and a kick in Origin. However, at International level they will chip for themselves or throw a risky flip or long pass.

Is the hype and the rivalry of Origin actually harming the flow of football? Is it completions at all costs and going into a game thinking it will be 8-6? Does the money train and TV demand 3 arm wrestles?

I'm amazed when people comment how exciting Internationals are as if it is a different sport. Today's game had 30-35 offloads.

 

[East Coast Tiger]

Correct. Origin is shit. This tournament has proved that. Won't change anything though. The bloodyslow, a-league, Melbourne cup, twenty20, just about any other hyped up event you can think of are all largely shit. Hype always wins over substance these days.

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

The different styles from teams you get in International league has been interesting to watch. Origin is Australia vs Australia so the style of game is almost identical and in a lot of ways it nullifies each team. Nothing wrong with that, but it doesn't help the game from a neutral spectator point of view.

Until the rules change or the game sways back towards attacking play I think International's will always have that unique feeling because they offer a different look and feel to Origin and even NRL.

 

[Spot On]

I think Origin is starting to lose it's original purpose (maybe not it's appeal for many though) and I'm not sure how it will evolve without changes to the concept. The origin teams are not THE best 34 players in the NRL and it's pretty much alienating many of the top talent in the NRL from playing in league's biggest spectacles.

 

[Twatface Magee]

You people saying Origin is shit must not have friends or family that live in the opposite State. The year worth of bragging rights makes Origin

 

[Canard]

Origin 1 this year was one of the best games of League ever.

If you didn't like that then you don't like Rugby League.

 

[cleary89]

Yeh, no one watches origin these days. Concept is dying #nrlincrisis

 

[Scubby]

Yeh, no one watches origin these days. Concept is dying #nrlincrisis

That's not what I said in the OP. I was saying that Origin seems to have hyped out the risk plays in favour of intensity, completions and the grind etc. This can still be very intense and captivating - I love Origin - but you have superstars of the game continually playing percentage plays.

I am just amazed when there is a bit of open football and lots of offloads during Internationals we get comments which seem to portray it as a different sport. Similar standard players different mind set.

 

[shiznit]

I love origin football... Tough, uncompromising football.

embrace the grind baby...

 

[East Coast Tiger]

Yeh, no one watches origin these days. Concept is dying #nrlincrisis

Wow. Miss the point much?

 

[Canard]

That's not what I said in the OP. I was saying that Origin seems to have hyped out the risk plays in favour of intensity, completions and the grind etc. This can still be very intense and captivating - I love Origin - but you have superstars of the game continually playing percentage plays.

I am just amazed when there is a bit of open football and lots of offloads during Internationals we get comments which seem to portray it as a different sport. Similar standard players different mind set.

Game 1 was very open. Hayne made some remarkable plays.

2 and 3 were very much grind. But that's by no means typical.

 

[Ernest the Sheep]

a big reason the 4-nations seemed more exciting was because oz had no forward pack. hence far less of the 'grind'!!

 

[Scubby]

Game 1 was very open. Hayne made some remarkable plays.

2 and 3 were very much grind. But that's by no means typical.

NSW won the series and only made 15 offloads and 7 line breaks in the whole 3 games combined.


New Zealand made 21 offloads and 6 line breaks in the 4N final alone. Same standard of players but different approaches.

 

[Scubby]

a big reason the 4-nations seemed more exciting was because oz had no forward pack. hence far less of the 'grind'!!

Fair point but both England and NZ had massive packs and their game had 30 offloads in it. Just seems like players feel the shackles are off in International games.

 

[Twatface Magee]

Number of Offloads - The new way of measuring the quality of a game.

 

[deluded pom?]

Number of Offloads - The new way of measuring the quality of a game.

Another point misser. The Origin defenders are out in force today. The OP is a comparison of styles not a criticism of SoO. Stop being so precious.

 

[strong_latte]

I actually agree with the general sentiment of the OP here. Origin is brilliant, but to be frank the last couple years of internationals have seen games of a higher quality than a lot of what Origin produces - particularly those involving NZ and England. That said, game 1 of Origin this year was nothing short of spectacular.

In an ideal world though, the NRL would be 16 rounds like the NFL and then there'd be a couple weeks off before starting Origin, which would effectively be a selection trial for a more intense international season.

Yeah, I know TV dollars blah blah blah, but as a product it'd be much better for the players, the game and the fans. It just wouldn't be as good for the back pocket to start with. Although if the international game could get to the point Origin has and regularly pull between 3 and 4 million viewers, then that could change.

 

[expansionist]

Personally - I dont really rate origin as enjoyable games. Theyre (on the most part) boring slug fests which are waaaaay over hyped - as in we all get months of everyone saying it is the best thing ever.

The game as and in itself doesnt justify the hype in my opinion.

I honestly enjoy watching Q-Cup as much as I do origin - and test matches are my ultimate

 

[juro]

I found the majority of the Four Nations matches very refreshing to watch. More please!

 

[Ernest the Sheep]

4-nations was good to watch, if you like touch footy!