@scot in exile
I am from the state of confusion
@JoseyR3Wales
For our uneducated and confused friends,
State of Origin is a three game series religious experience for many Rugby League followers here is Oz. More important than the game's Premiership grand-final for the national club competition, it is run during the season and players are selected from the premiership clubs to play on the basis of which State, Queensland or New South Wales, they commenced their Rugby league careers.
Queenslanders State colour and team scrip is Maroon. They are typically called the
Maroons or
Cane Toads after their State's feral and toxic
Bufo Marinas
Cane toad - Wikipedia
The NSW State colour is blue and team scrip is Sky Blue. They are known as the
Blues and/or
Cockroaches, another term of endearment.
The other 4 States and 2 Territories are irrelevant despite often having national premiership club teams!
The result has no effect on the club premiership and clubs usually sacrifice their best players from club games and risk them being injured for the rest of the club season without recompense.
Historically they have been the most brutal, bruising games of the season, where best mates on the same club team may flog each other for the State side before returning to their clubs the following week as best mates again. In the old days brawls were a constant part of the origin game but these are rare these days however the intensity of play has increased due to sports training and gym work etc
Many players have been known to stay on the field and continue playing with broken bones. Very little if any padding or protective gear is worn and some of the forwards are monsters and even the jockey sized players have muscles on the ears.
State of Origin series - Wikipedia