Should SOO be scraped if QLD dont win?

[Super Cronk]

Sportal.com.au

Queensland coach Mal Meninga has a simple warning to his players: win or else the State of Origin concept could be abandoned.

Meninga said the concept, the flagship of the code, was in jeopardy if Queensland could not turn its fortunes around.

Since 2000, the Maroons have recorded just one series victory - in 2001.

"Based on what's happened in the past couple of years the concept is in a little bit of jeopardy," Meninga told The Courier Mail. "I think if we haven't got a successful Queensland side the game's in a little bit of jeopardy as well."

"There's a huge feeling out there that if Queensland is not successful this year people mightn't support it. It's a time when all Queenslanders have to stand up a little bit."

Queensland has not won at Telstra Stadium from 10 attempts, but with the Blues enduring a chaotic build up to the opener, the Maroons have a golden opportunity to end their hoodoo at the venue on Wednesday night.

[Teegy]

No Way. NSW didn't win in the early years and it wasn't scrapped.

[DeeGan]

Sure glad NSW didn't buy into this when the concept first started...NSW lost 8 of the first 11 State of Origin games from 1980 when Origin as we know it was born. The dominance of one state over another will go through cycles in the modern game, I think this quote was well worded and is served only to act as motivation for his team and the QLD supporters turning out for game two.

[Titanium_BD1103]

Deegan you are spot on there IMO... :)

Mal just did this to rev everyone up... I doubt QLD losses will result in an end of SOO, NSW lost for such a long time... and it does go in cycles.. ;)

Mal is just ensuring his players know what they are playing for, instilling passion and getting the QLD crowd ready for a great game and for game 2... :D :D

[Steelers]

Yep, agree with everyone here... It won't be scrapped... if it were to be scrapped then why hasn't international football been scrapped with Australia's dominance? Why wasn't the whole competition scrapped during the Dragons dominance way back when? It is a fact of sport that teams dominate for certain periods and as DeeGan said, it goes in cycles.

[Queenslander]

Just some good old pot stirring from the Queensland camp here. :clap: I voted no ;)

[shavenjas]

Ive never heard anything so stupid, as if SOO will be gone if QLD don't win, if that was the case St George would have folded years ago.

[DIEHARD]

Origin is not in danger.

Queensland were up against the wall for seven decades before Origin came along, we can take a few years barren fields, that will end this year.

It'll take a lot more than that for QLD to get gun shy.

[Eel 33]

Don't be stupid, it was a beat up by Mal to stir the boys up. The NRL won't let it happen anyway, it's a huge cash cow for them.

[piXie]

thats totally ridiculous...what a terrible thing to say!

[Dakink]

Ive never heard anything so stupid, as if SOO will be gone if QLD don't win, if that was the case St George would have folded years ago.

*Rolls Eyes*

Blah Blah Blah

[Queenslander]

*Rolls Eyes*

Blah Blah Blah

Dakink I think you should read this ;)

http://www.titans.com.au//forum/showthread.php?t=3865

[Super Cronk]

Friend it would be awesome to hear why you dont care ethier way.

[Titanium_BD1103]

Well I agree with this article in the Telegraph... ORIGIN IS ALIVE AND KICKING AFTER WEDNESDAY SHOW.. :D :D

From: http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au

Origin footy will never die

Comment by PHIL ROTHFIELD

May 26, 2006

THE knockers were loud and persistent in the build-up to Wednesday night's State of Origin game with suggestions the showpiece event on the rugby league calendar was dying.

Three NSW series wins in a row prompted critics to issue the death rites on what has been the most outstanding football spectacle of any code in this country for more than 20 years.

Even Maroons coach Mal Meninga said before the game that the whole Origin concept would be in jeopardy unless his team won this year's series.

While NSW dominated on the scoreboard for much of Wednesday night, the game still featured some classic Origin moments.

* Luke O'Donnell's three bone-jarring tackles in a seven-minute period that would have done Trevor Gillmeister proud.

* Steve Menzies' sensational big hit that almost snapped Maroons forward Dallas Johnson in two.

* Willie Mason running like a battering ram all night and crushing any Queenslander that tried to get in his way.

* Johnathan Thurston's two magnificent conversions from the sideline under extreme pressure.

* Rookie Greg Inglis' two tries on debut, plus a try-saving tackle when he knocked the ball out of the hands of his Storm teammate Matt King.

* Matt Bowen taking a NSW bomb at high speed and then charging 40m upfield.

For traditionalists, we even enjoyed some good old-style biffo.

* Eric Grothe and Justin Hodges, former flatmates at the Roosters, standing toe-to-toe exchanging punches. (Not that many landed).

* Dallas Johnson kicking Danny Buderus in the head and then the NSW captain retaliating with a couple of wild blows.

On top of all this, we had one of the great Origin fairytale stories with Brett Finch, the most maligned player in the competition, grabbing the first try and later the match-winning field goal.

Channel 9 ratings released yesterday afternoon proved the sporting public still can't get enough of State of Origin, even without Joey Johns, Alfie Langer or any of the greats of the past.

The Nine telecast attracted an extra 100,000 viewers on average compared to last year.

The match also drew the biggest ever crowd at Telstra Stadium for a series opener.

We now head to Suncorp in Brisbane for a June 14 showdown.

Queensland showed enough in the second half to suggest they'll be hard to beat if their coach can get his tactics right.

The game is already sold out and will get huge television audience. Long live Origin.

[Kallan]

Well QLD won the series!!!! And no Origin should not be scrapped, even if QLD lost it should not be scrapped. Good on you Queenslanders!! :)

[Brettymac]

Im at a loss why the 'concept' of origin is continually bandied about in the media. Queensland it would seem is always the car crash victim in hospital, completely dependant on a ventilator machine to keep his lungs pumping.

State of Origin football, since its inception, has been possibly the greatest annual sporting spectacle the nation has to offer. Its a true test of courage and spirit, and that goes for both maroon and blue jersey holders.

To suggest that the hospital victim be taken of life support, is to suggest that his fighting spirit and his will to carry on despite the odds is dead. Isnt that theory in direct contrast to his reputation ?

As a passionate supporter of Queensland, I will not lie, to sit and watch from home a possible 10 series losses in a row to QLD, it would be sickening and depressing. However, I guarantee you if that was the case, there would still be some moments in those series where players have gone beyond the call of duty, and what more could you ask as a supporter.

Yes... Series losses hurt. To quote Donkey "You cut me deep Shrek, you cut me real deep". But the losses have a funny way of making the wins even more worth savouring. And believe you me I am savouring this one tonight... Why should we as supporters give up on the car crash victim, he may look down and out, but as long as his hearts still beating, there's always a chance of a miracle. You want a definition of Origin then look no further than that.

[jenny]

Why on earth would they scrap it????? The melbourne game pulled 52.000
before the game started.....One thing to say to you Mal. SNAP OUT OF IT!!!!

[Supergoose]

Should never be scapped but it may be usurped by Trans-tasman rivalry in the next 10 years or so as far as contests go. We have to ensure the international game is kept healthy and I still want to see NZ v GB tests be scheduled around the same time and given the same priveleges as Origin so those nations can continue to develop and get better. Origin has provided this for Australia.

[jenny]

Should never be scapped but it may be usurped by Trans-tasman rivalry in the next 10 years or so as far as contests go. We have to ensure the international game is kept healthy and I still want to see NZ v GB tests be scheduled around the same time and given the same priveleges as Origin so those nations can continue to develop and get better. Origin has provided this for Australia.

^5 goose :hi:

[Manly Boy]

That's the stupidest thing i've ever heard, nah, there's just no way they could do that especially when Qld used to win all the time and NSW kept playing...