Introduction

10 Introduction The fierce State ugby league’s State of of Origin battles were Origin competition has sometimes played in R emerged from an uncertain wet weather. Noel Cleal start to become an iconic part of the pursues Gene Miles in Australian sporting calendar. With muddy conditions at New South Wales donning sky blue the Sydney Cricket and Queensland in maroon, the best Ground in 1984. players from each of the two states vie for interstate supremacy. Over 30 years, the speed, skill, intensity, and physical and mental nature of the Origin games have taken rugby league to greater and greater heights. The accepted ferocity of the games has often allowed players to get away with antics that could incur hefty punishment in club football. The fierce nature of Origin football has also caused tempers to flare, making Michael O’Connor it not unusual for fist-fights to break was one of the most out during the games. talented footballers of Here we take a close look at the his time, and was always first 30 years of the competition, a dangerman for NSW in exploring each game in close detail. his Origin days from 1985 Those who have witnessed many a to 1991. He had previously State of Origin game can relive their represented Queensland favourite moments and reflect on the in rugby union. triumphs, disappointments, contro- versies and unexpectedness that have shaped the great spectacle—and, in particular, how thin the line is between success and failure. One or two vital incidents may determine the complexion and outcome of each game. As Australia’s best players go hammer and tongs at each other, the margin for error is almost non-existent. If both teams are at peak performance, the score is upset result in State of Origin. In a nutshell, the often very close. But if one side is even five degree to which each side makes mistakes, and per cent below its best, the opposition can capitalises on the opposition’s mistakes, goes a long easily inflict a thrashing. One team may win way to deciding match results. The unpredictability a game convincingly but the result could just of how it eventually pans out in each game makes as easily be reversed next time round, such is for compelling viewing. the small margin for error. State of Origin’s match officials often attract the Numerous rugby league fans and journalists have ire of losing teams, as is the case in most sports. referred to certain Origin results as upsets. However, Controversial rulings and referees’ errors of judge- when the key moments in each game are examined, ment may change the complexion of a game as much it becomes clear there really is no such thing as an as a mistake by a player. But when scrutinising the so_010-013_IntroductionA.indd 10 5/02/10 12:52 PM StateIntroduction of Origin 11 teams have only a week or so to prepare for each game. The players come from an array of clubs and have to put aside club allegiances to focus on beating the opposite state. That also means forgetting about their club colleagues playing for the other team. For three games each year, they are enemies. The same issues apply to the coaches, many of whom coach against their club players in State of Origin. The coaching role in Origin football is a challenge. In the early years, there was little time for developing game plans or building up a team. But as Origin went into its third decade, more extensive coaching panels and advance planning become the established approach. Although there can be only one premiership-winning team each year in club competitions, other sides may be judged to have been somewhat successful. In State of Origin, however, winners and losers are much more clearly defined. As the legendary Queensland coach Wayne Bennett noted in Big League, State of Origin Special : ‘If you lose, you feel as though you have let every bugger in the state down, whereas in club football you rally for a game next week and just get on with the job. It’s the most stressful coaching job I’ve had, yet the most wonderful.’ The gifted Darren Indeed, fans have felt unhappy for days after- Lockyer, a rugby league wards when their state has lost an Origin game. star at club, state and inter- Because of the aura surrounding State of Origin, national level in the 1990s it becomes too easy to forget that, as with any sport, and 2000s. it is just a game—a game where players are merely key moments in a game, it becomes evident that if playing with a football. Many sports are like that: a team does well enough to achieve victory, it will simply playing with a ball. Yet State of Origin fans usually win regardless of match officials. and players feel that their state is at stake. The fervour that Origin football has created The Challenges of Origin is not confined to NSW and Queensland. Although Apart from the first two years of Origin football, the rugby league has always had a comparatively small NSW Blues and Queensland Maroons have battled following outside the two states, Origin is something out a series of three games each year. The demands different. A lot of people who are normally uninter- on the players are far different from club football, in ested in the sport have eagerly followed Origin more ways than one. Whereas club teams play on a football. Apart from NSW and Queensland, the weekly basis throughout the season, State of Origin competition has generated huge interest not just so_010-013_IntroductionA.indd 11 5/02/10 12:52 PM.

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