Union's answer to State of Origin: Why the North v South game needs to come back
2018’s opening chapter of rugby league’s State of Origin in Australia was one that caught the eye of many rugby union followers across the ditch in New Zealand.
As one of Australia’s most high-profile yearly sporting events, State of Origin draws in an enviably large audience across Australasia. It’s a rarity for stadiums to not sell out, and sports fans are captivated by the majesty surrounding the event as they tune in from across
the continent.
While many Kiwi fans enjoyed New South Wales’ 22-12 victory over Queensland as much as the 87,000 that crammed into the Melbourne Cricket Ground to watch the spectacle a fortnight ago, some must have begged the question as to why New Zealand rugby hasn’t formulated their own version of the three-match series?
It used to exist in the form of the annual North Island vs South Island contest in the days of the amateur era, but it came to a standstill following the North’s comprehensive 63-22 victory at Oamaru’s Centennial Park in 1995.
A one-off fixture took place in 2012 at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin as a fundraising effort for the financially embattled Otago Rugby Football Union, but that was the 80th and final instalment of the once iconic fixture.
Since its dissolution as an annual clash, there has been a gap in New Zealand rugby tradition that fans across the country have been craving.
Much like State of Origin, it was a contest founded upon a rivalry between the two regions that still exists today, and that rivalry stems from the pride that is instilled within Kiwis based on where they and their families call home.
That regional pride is ever-present in modern day New Zealand, and one only needs to look as far as the Mitre 10 Cup and the Heartland Championship to get a glimpse of it.
However, it isn’t as evident as it once was back in the NPC heyday of the 20th century. The second coming of annual North vs South encounters would not only reignite and amplify the passion Kiwis have for their respective regions on a national scale, but it would help them rediscover a sense of tribalism that is desperately vacant from all facets of the New Zealand sporting landscape.
That tribalism is what separates State of Origin from a vast array of other sporting events across Australasia, and it’s what is so vitally needed in not just New Zealand rugby, but in the whole of New Zealand sport.
Continue reading below
Although the development of Super Rugby has undoubtedly aided the unprecedented dominance in world rugby by New Zealand teams, the professional nature of its existence has evaporated the old-school, atmospheric rivalries – eg, Auckland vs Canterbury – that was so prominent among both players and fans alike in the amateur era, and with it has gone the tribal attitude and loyalty that players and fans felt towards their provinces.
The sight of overflowing crowds in the stands as provinces fight for NPC glory while fans give everything they’ve got to support the men representing their region is now a thing of the past, and that’s the result of a lost sense of rivalry and tribalism within New Zealand rugby
culture that’s come with the professionalism of the game.
State of Origin has never lost sight of that. Supporters of both New South Wales and Queensland are unrelenting and are among the wildest sporting fans you’ll find in this corner of the globe.
Given the similarities in the concept of honouring your roots in State of Origin and North vs South, the re-emergence of the latter has the potential to bring back that overwhelming feeling of fandom and passion that was once embedded in this nation’s rugby identity, and
is still easily identifiable in Australian rugby league’s most sought after series.
The lure of the nation’s best players representing the island of which they qualify for – in accordance to State of Origin eligibility rules (which includes where you were born, where you lived on the most growing up, and where you were educated the most) – would make it impossible for fans to not throw their support behind such an intriguing contest that would have the star power and quality of a top-class test match.
For a 115-year tradition of this magnitude with so much potential to have been brought to an abrupt halt at the dawn of the professional age can be described as a tragedy of sorts, so surely the chance to match State of Origin with the reinstallation of our own North vs South
should be seriously considered.
Potential North vs South line-ups (under State of Origin rules):
North Island:
1 – Kane Hames (Birthplace: Wellington; School(s): Te Aute College/Trident High School)
2 – Dane Coles (Paraparaumu; Paraparaumu College/Wellington College)
3 – Nepo Laulala (Samoa; Wesley College)
4 – Scott Barrett (New Plymouth; Francis Douglas Memorial College)
5 – Sam Whitelock (Palmerston North; Feilding High School)
6 – Liam Squire (Palmerston North; Palmerston North Boys’ High School)
7 – Sam Cane (Reporoa; Reporoa College/Tauranga Boys’ College)
8 – Kieran Read (Papakura; Rosehill College/St Kentigern College)
9 – Aaron Smith (Palmerston North; Feilding High School)
10 – Beauden Barrett (New Plymouth; Francis Douglas Memorial College)
11 – Rieko Ioane (Auckland; Auckland Grammar School)
12 – Sonny Bill Williams (Auckland; Mount Albert Grammar School)
13 – Jack Goodhue (Whangarei; Mount Albert Grammar School)
14 – Waisake Naholo (Fiji; Wanganui City College)
15 – Jordie Barrett (New Plymouth; Francis Douglas Memorial College)
Reserves:
16 – Codie Taylor (Levin; Feilding High School/Horowhenua College)
17 – Karl Tu’inukuafe (Auckland; Wesley College)
18 – Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Tonga; Mangere College)
19 – Tom Franklin (Opotiki; St Paul’s Collegiate School)
20 – Ardie Savea (Wellington; Rongotai College)
21 – TJ Perenara (Porirua; Mana College)
22 – Lima Sopoaga (Wellington; Wellington College)
23 – Nehe Milner-Skudder (Taihape; Queen Elizabeth College)
South Island:
1 – Joe Moody (Birthplace: Christchurch; School(s): Christ’s College)
2 – Ash Dixon (Christchurch; Christchurch Boys’ High School)
3 – Owen Franks (Motueka; Christchurch Boys’ High School)
4 – Patrick Tuipulotu (Christchurch; St Peter’s College)
5 – Brodie Retallick (Amberley; Christchurch Boys’ High School)
6 – Elliot Dixon (Christchurch; St Bede’s College)
7 – Matt Todd (Christchurch; Kaiapoi High School/Christchurch Boys’ High School)
8 – Liam Messam (Blenheim; Rotorua Boys’ High School)
9 – Mitchell Drummond (Nelson; Nelson College)
10 – Richie Mo’unga (Christchurch; Riccarton High School/St Andrew’s College)
11 – David Havili (Nelson; Motueka High School/Nelson College)
12 – Ryan Crotty (Nelson; Shirley Boys’ High School)
13 – Anton Lienert-Brown (Christchurch; Christchurch Boys’ High School)
14 – Ben Smith (Dunedin; King’s High School)
15 – Damian McKenzie (Invercargill; Christ’s College)
Reserves:
16 – Braydon Mitchell (Invercargill; King’s High School/Southland Boys’ High School)
17 – Tim Perry (Ashburton; St Andrew’s College)
18 – Atu Moli (Gisborne; Malborough Boys’ College)
19 – Luke Romano (Nelson; Christchurch Boys’ High School)
20 – James Lentjes (Christchurch; St Bede’s College)
21 – Josh Renton (Dunedin; Otago Boys’ High School)
22 – Mitch Hunt (Nelson; Nelson College)
23 – Michael Collins (Queenstown; Wakatipu High School/Otago Boys’ High School)
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
No Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
18 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
55 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
11 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
55 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
18 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
18 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to comments