Queensland’s 3-0 series win over NSW in 2010 is the only sweep since 2000 and this year’s series is again too close to call Most Australian rules fans have forgotten (or chosen to forget) that they owned the State of Origin concept for a century before the big boppers in the north caught on. Since the VFL/AFL abandoned their interstate carnivals in 1993 and ceased all state-based clashes in 1999, rugby league’s State of Origin has become “Australian sport’s greatest rivalry” – the purest expression of mate v mate and state v state. It started as an experiment – Australia’s then-captain Bob Fulton predicted “the non-event of the century” – but 43 years on Origin has become the very essence...
The NSW back’s absence is a blow for the Blues and State of Origin itself – he is one of the few who are irreplaceableIn a huge blow to Brad Fittler’s New South Wales men and the NRL’s hopes of making an impact in the non-traditional rugby league town of Adelaide, Latrell Mitchell has been ruled out of the State of Origin opener.A calf injury picked up at training on Sunday saw Mitchell’s hopes of returning to the Blues dashed. Stephen Crichton, an undoubted talent, takes his place but Mitchell is one of the few players in this game – and in his generation – that are irreplaceable. Continue reading...
Australian fans fell in love with the singer after her collaboration helped cleanse the game’s image and instil in it a true sense of worthIt has been 28 years since Tina Turner featured in her final campaign as the soundtrack of rugby league, yet such is the reverence in which she is held in Australia, news of her death has cast a long and dark pall over the game.The singer, who starred in the promotion of the Winfield Cup with her hits What You Get Is What You See and The Best from 1989 to 1995, died on Wednesday at her home in Switzerland aged 83. A testament to her immense and enduring popularity, the game has been overcome by...
The Queensland Maroons and NSW Blues squads boast proven experience and untried talent but there is rust and risk in both state’s selectionsNew South Wales have gone back to the future for State of Origin 2023, recalling a host of stars to their Game One squad while Queensland have overhauled their winning combinations from last year to blood a batch of young guns and forge a new dynasty.Blues coach Brad Fittler was first to name his Origin squad on Monday morning, confirming the return of box-office players Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic in the centres and moving swiftly to amend his big mistake from 2022 by recalling electric Bulldogs flier Josh Addo-Carr on the wing. Continue reading...
Rugby Australia has bought a supremely marketable, freakishly talented player who will also be a powerful bargaining chipJoseph Suaalii will not begin playing for the Wallabies until 2025 but make no mistake: he started working for Rugby Australia the moment news broke of his signing.Suaalii will become the standard bearer for rugby’s new golden age, Australia’s poster boy for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, for leading the women’s game to professionalism and for restoring growth at the grassroots across the nation. Continue reading...