Rugby League State of Origin

State of Origin is a series of three interstate rugby league matches between the Queensland Maroons (pronounced Muh-RONEs) and the New South Wales Blues, played annually.

History

The Conception of State of Origin Football

From its conception in 1908, Australian Rugby League has observed an interstate championship played between the states of Queensland and New South Wales. From 1908 to 1981, each team in the interstate competition drew its players form the clubs based in that state. No consideration was given to the origins of the players themselves.

Related Topics:
1908 - Rugby League - Queensland - New South Wales - 1981

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

While New South Wales has dominated the event throughout its history, this domination was certainly escalated in 1956 when Gaming Machines were legalised for all registered clubs in New South Wales. This was the source of an abundant amount of revenue unattainable by Rugby League clubs based in Queensland. This also made it possible for NSW clubs to spend a great deal more on player recruitment.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Effective immediately, Queensland started to lose many of its best players and while not all were necessarily selected to play for New South Wales, they certainly were not eligible to play for Queensland. Prior to 1956, Qld had won 25% of series played. From 1956-1981 this number dwindled to only 3.8% with only 1 win, in 1959.

Related Topics:
1956 - 1981

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The first recorded call for a state of origin series was made in 1900 by a journalist known as "The Cynic" writing for The Referee. The Cynic suggested that star rugby union player and recent immigrant to Queensland, Stephen Spragg, should be able to play for his home state of New South Wales. A concept which, even in 1900, was not original when you consider that English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish players were required to play for their home countries.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This call was made repeatedly throughout history to no avail until the late 1970s. In 1977, the rival code of Australian rules held the first State of Origin game, between Western Australia and Victoria. The then president of the Victorian Football League, Dr Alan Aylett, later tried to convince the then chairman of the Queensland Rugby League, Ron Mcauliffe of the concept's merits. Mcauliffe was skeptical about the prospect of rewarding players, who had deserted the ailing QRL, with positions on the Qld team. He also had a lot of faith in his young, promising players, such as Wally Lewis and Mal Meninga, to drag the QRL out of its slump.

Related Topics:
1977 - Code - Australian rules - State of Origin - Western Australia - Victoria - Victorian Football League - Alan Aylett - Queensland Rugby League - Ron Mcauliffe - Wally Lewis - Mal Meninga

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Courier-Mail reporter Hugh Lunn and Brisbane Broncos founder Barry Maranta also played a part in convincing Mcauliffe that the State of Origin concept might work. Mcauliffe reluctantly conceded that if Queensland lost its first 2 games of the 1980 interstate series, he?d consider suggesting the concept to New South Wales Rugby League chief, Kevin Humphreys.

Related Topics:
Courier-Mail - Hugh Lunn - Brisbane Broncos - Barry Maranta - 1980 - New South Wales Rugby League - Kevin Humphreys

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

May 28 1980, saw Queensland down 2 nil in the interstate series and soon after, it was announced that a state of origin match would take place on July 8 at Lang Park in Brisbane. Kevin Humphries was supportive of the game and even went to the extent of ensuring the match would be used as part of the selection process for the Kangaroo squad. This ensured the players would take the game seriously. The general consensus amongst officials was there was nothing to lose, so why not?

Related Topics:
Lang Park - Kangaroo

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

While the New South Wales media had written off the event along with Queensland?s chances of winning, the people of New South Wales saw the match as irrelevant. Nobody seemed to predict how the people of Queensland might react to the first fair interstate contest in 24 years. The usual crowd of approximately 5000 spectators was expected.

Related Topics:
New South Wales - Queensland

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

On July 8 1980, 35,000 Queenslanders show up at Lang Park to see Queensland convincingly beat New South Wales 20-10. Rugby League's State of Origin football was born.

Related Topics:
July 8 - 1980 - Lang Park - State of Origin

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Selection Rules

Players selected for the State of Origin teams must have played their first rugby league match at junior level for a club in that state. Those who played their first junior-level match for a club in the ACT are considered to be New South Wales players for State of Origin purposes. At present, no NRL player whose first junior-level club was outside New South Wales, Queensland, or the ACT has developed to a level to warrant possible State of Origin selection; therefore, the league has not yet established a policy for such players.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~