State of Origin

In case you had not realized, it’s STATE OF ORIGIN time.  I know for some that is like a big yawn thing.  I knew it did not mean much when I asked if one fella and his wife wanted to come watch and he asked, “who’s playing?”
In this household though it means something.  Alright it’s like it means Party Time.  But hey, any excuse.  It has been a tradition for a number of years to have a get together on Origin night.  For the first two of the three matches we generally buy something and for the last one Merril cooks.
I did have a coffee on the result with my boss at work.  He supported NSW.  It was just not right though.  For years we did it and at the time I was getting him a lot of coffees.  Then we stopped.  Right when Queensland started their 7 year winning streak.  There were heaps of children alive who had never experienced a NSW win.  I have seen them win though and Queensland wins are definitely better.
One year we made tickets and everything.  We learned a dance to celebrate Queensland trys.  We hardly used it.  It was actually a relief when we could use it.  It was memorable.  I remember it anyway.
Things have toned down from the early days.  It felt more important at the beginning.  For years no Queensland teams were in the NSW league so Queenslanders used to move to NSW.  When Queensland played NSW we would see a lot of Queenslanders against us.  Interstate rivalry was a one-sided affair.
Then Origin was introduced.  That evened up the scales.  But it was important to us we won early to justify doing it.  Now it is just about the biggest event in world rugby league. (Though playing for the country is seen as the epitome of achievement few matches are as intense as Origin)
I do remember when I was working part time and being there on Origin night.  I made sure I had a radio on and at knock off time I raced to the car to listen to the game there.
It seems there was a lot of passion then.  I will never forget the Queenslander referee Barry Gomersall (nicknamed grasshopper because of his thin legs) ignoring a punch up and following the game.  When asked why he said something like “I am here to referee the game, not the fights.”  He was very quotable.  When asked why when he was umpiring Queensland had won 7 games and NSW two.  He said “everyone is entitled to two bad games.”
These days it does not mean the same, but I always like Queensland to win.  I tend to be pretty sanguine about things.  Not like some who watch who claim the umpire has blue undies.
We watch the game and acknowledge good play from whoever does it, but I always like Queensland to win.