State Of Origin – A Big Bash Up!
State Of Origin involves the sport of Rugby League between Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales.
Rugby League is slightly different to Rugby Union, but still involves passing the ball backwards to move forwards. It’s described as a gentleman’s game played by thugs, whereas Rugby Union is a thugs game played by gentlemen.
Three State Of Origin games are played each year, which are usually played in Brisbane and Sydney. Each state has at least 1 home game per year, and sometimes two depending on alternating years.
State Of Origin – In Pictures
One of the biggest traditions of State Of Origin was the team buses driving along the nearby entertainment precinct of Caxton Street. Obviously, the Queensland bus has loads of cheers from the parochial revellers, with the New South Wales team bus booed for eternity.
This was stopped in 2000 because of police fears of safety. There were incidents in the past were glass beer bottles were thrown at the New South Wales Team bus as it travelled down Caxton Street. Actually, check out this permanent ‘stand’ that has been erected outside of one of the Caxton Street houses!
Actually, the rivalry is nothing when compared to watching soccer games in South America. I’ve been fairly certain I would live after watching a State Of Origin Game.
Anyway, I try and catch a game in Brisbane each year. The game is played at Suncorp Stadium, formerly known as Lang Park. The site where Suncorp Stadium now stands was formerly a old cemetery. The bodies had to be exhumed and moved to another site to ensure the Home Of Rugby League was completed. The games in Brisbane usually sell out within minutes of going on sale.
Lang Park has had many incarnations, and it’s even been underwater – check out these photos from floods that occurred in 1893 and 1974 where Lang Park was a swimming pool.
Anyway, this is Suncorp Stadium today – it will be used as a venue if Australia manages to host a Football World Cup.
One of the best thing about attending the game is the atmosphere, and the fans that dress up in all sorts of gear. The game usually sells out within 30 minutes of tickets going on sale – and this stadium holds over 52000 people!
Even the Prime Minister of Australia turns up!
Anyway, I go for Queensland, so I’m hoping to see more of this – Queensland holding the trophy!
More State Of Origin
So if you can get a ticket and you’re in Brisbane around State Of Origin time, check it out!
To learn more about Rugby League, check out NRL – That’s Rugby League: 100 Years of Australian Rugby League.
south american soccer is a bit mad , apparently the celtic v rangers game in scotland is one of the biggest rivalries as it’s all about religion and catholic vs protestant as well, crazy.
I saw my very first State of Origins game a few days ago, and it was AWESOME! Not to mention all the joy and camaraderie that comes with being surrounded by screaming NRL fans!
If you dig Rugby League, check out this article about my fascination with one of the NRL’s most celebrated teams…
http://www.travelingwithjared.com/2013/04/25/south-sydney-rabbitohs-they-wear-the-red-and-green/