State of the Union (origin) discussion

[D-Box]

If just two teams why call it Qld v NSW.

Go lions approach and have Qld/NT/SA/WA vs NSW/ACT/VIC/TAS.

Uniforms could be a nod to each participant state. For instance the QLD led team, Maroon (Qld) and Gold (WA) Jersey, Navy (SA) shorts and ochre (NT) socks

 

[Bobby Sands]

If just two teams why call it Qld v NSW.

Go lions approach and have Qld/NT/SA/WA vs NSW/ACT/VIC/TAS.

Uniforms could be a nod to each participant state. For instance the QLD led team, Maroon (Qld) and Gold (WA) Jersey, Navy (SA) shorts and ochre (NT) socks

Surely not.

It will be QLD v NSW and then a second division I would imagine, like they do U18 championships with AFL.

 

[D-Box]

Surely not.

It will be QLD v NSW and then a second division I would imagine, like they do U18 championships with AFL.

So what to you do with someone like DHP - relegate to div 2? If yes we are saying to a bunch of similar players you don't get to play in one of our showcase games because of where you are born. If no where do you play someone who has not played rugby or lived in NSW or QLD.

DHP
Born South Africa
School/Junior - western Australia
Professional Debut - WA
Professional Teams - WA, Vic, France

 

[Up the Guts]

Should have QLD, NSW and a third Combined States side.

Get big Willie Skelton and co. back and have rolling subs. Get Swinton and the other psychos on the smelling salts pregame and have some shots put on.

 

[Adam84]

How about a concept similar to the NRL's All Stars game with a Pasifika team rather then a Indigenous Team

 

[Slim 293]

I think we should have at least five teams.........

NSW, QLD, ACT, VIC, WA......... oh wait.

 

[mst]

I am only here to register my protest at this lame attempt to rip off a league concept.

I am with you on this!

FFS. We are have adding league rule variation like the the 50/20 rule now this. Why not just play league rules if we want to be so like the NRL?

By the time they work out eligibility, brand it, come up with kits, work out the travel and accommodation logistics and then player insurance, let alone trying to get the competition be a least a little bit balanced they could spend the time money and effort in to putting together 5 other teams and make up a proper domestic competition.

Cue the lowering the standard arguments and lack of "players" which is what would happen with a state of origin concept anyway.

 

[Brumby Runner]

I reckon the idea has come directly from discussions with the likely broadcasters. One or more of of them probably see it as an opportunity for crowds and tv viewers similar to SOO.

I'm not so sure that the concept will prove successful in Rugby.

 

[liquor box]

Do the Tahs need to become the Sydney Waratahs and the Reds the Brisbane Reds to differentiate between a franchise and the state rugby union?

While we get to see a supposed NSW v QLD twice a season, adding extra games seems pointless

 

[Adam84]

Do the Tahs need to become the Sydney Waratahs and the Reds the Brisbane Reds to differentiate between a franchise and the state rugby union?



While we get to see a supposed NSW v QLD twice a season, adding extra games seems pointless

That's the biggest issue with trying to go down a path of State of Union, it erodes the current brands and creates confusion around the brand association. Neither the Waratahs or Reds want to shift their catchment from the states to just the capital cities.

 

[D-Box]

That's probably why at North + West vs East + South make more sense as labels. Rather than sell it as two states sell it as best of the best. Wallabies trial. Build up the game/s with engagement across Aus.

WA/Vic/ACT probably won't care about another NSW v QLD game

You could appoint two Aus assistant coaches as head coaches. Get them to announce the squad of the round each week/month. Get some Captains appointed early who talk it up. Preferably co-captains with people representing two major contributors to the team

 

[sendit]

^^That sounds like a horrible Frankenstein solution of bashing some teams together and hoping it sticks

 

[D-Box]

^^That sounds like a horrible Frankenstein solution of bashing some teams together and hoping it sticks

I would prefer a comp with 4 teams (see post 9). I think the WA and VIC teams are potentially where some of the real passion could come from. Imagine if in the comp I proposed a WA Origin team could make the final playoff game. The players would be pumped. The rugby community in WA would get behind them and I would think that whoever from NSW or QLD wasn't in the Final would be watching just to see what happens

 

[sendit]

I would prefer a comp with 4 teams (see post 9). I think the WA and VIC teams are potentially where some of the real passion could come from. Imagine if in the comp I proposed a WA Origin team could make the final playoff game. The players would be pumped. The rugby community in WA would get behind them and I would think that whoever from NSW or QLD wasn't in the Final would be watching just to see what happens

i dont see the need for a playoff system, especially if 9/10 itll be the two teams that played the first game anyway.

id rather just 2, one off games NSWvQLD & VICvWA leave it at that, no need to complicate the matter

 

[Bobby Sands]

So what to you do with someone like DHP - relegate to div 2? If yes we are saying to a bunch of similar players you don't get to play in one of our showcase games because of where you are born. If no where do you play someone who has not played rugby or lived in NSW or QLD.

DHP
Born South Africa
School/Junior - western Australia
Professional Debut - WA
Professional Teams - WA, Vic, France

Correct.

Sonny Bill Williams didn't play origin either.

One of the most WA things I have ever heard, it is the exact reason why the fixture means so much. It's recognition for the states that live and breathe rugby sports.

Ever been in QLD during a decider? You would remember if you have.

If anything hopefully it will drive people from WA to get good enough to contribute a side, and to be honest I don't think that they are that far away. Rugby growth in WA has been incredible.

 

[Slim 293]

I would prefer a comp with 4 teams (see post 9). I think the WA and VIC teams are potentially where some of the real passion could come from. Imagine if in the comp I proposed a WA Origin team could make the final playoff game. The players would be pumped. The rugby community in WA would get behind them and I would think that whoever from NSW or QLD wasn't in the Final would be watching just to see what happens

I would go one step further and add another team from the ACT...........

So five teams in total.

Hang on.........

 

[Bobby Sands]

I am with you on this!

FFS. We are have adding league rule variation like the the 50/20 rule now this. Why not just play league rules if we want to be so like the NRL?

By the time they work out eligibility, brand it, come up with kits, work out the travel and accommodation logistics and then player insurance, let alone trying to get the competition be a least a little bit balanced they could spend the time money and effort in to putting together 5 other teams and make up a proper domestic competition.

Cue the lowering the standard arguments and lack of "players" which is what would happen with a state of origin concept anyway.

Cmon guys.

Rugby league is somewhat solvent, and we are not.

It is as a direct result of this exact thinking that we are in this situation.

Do we want to capture hearts and minds or do we want to hope that middle age men don't die?

 

[redstragic]

Rugby league is somewhat solvent, and we are not.

This is our truth. For a game built around the myth of being enjoyed by smarter people, rugby is fucked at business in Oz.

 

[Up the Guts]

It can’t be a bad idea to have a one off hyped up match with plenty of feeling.

Also, has anything novel ever been proposed in Aus Rugby that hasn’t been written off as a gimmick?

 

[Bobby Sands]

This is our truth. For a game built around the myth of being enjoyed by smarter people, rugby is fucked at business in Oz.

What a sad song to sing at the funeral of our sport, "we were smarter than them."

Do you know that modern historians believe that neanderthals were smarter than homo sapiens?

Not sure it gives them much solace though.