State of Origin brings old Rugby League memories back

As State of Origin got back into full swing for 2008, the clash of the NSW Blues and Queensland Maroons brings all the memories and passion back of the former Rugby League glory days. Anyone who has followed Rugby League for some time will remember the likes of Wally Lewis, Allan Langer for Queensland and the likes of Brett Kenny and Benny Ellias for NSW pouring every inch of their beings into the physical contest that is Origin.

Many consider the State of Origin concept (now sponsored by Harvey Norman; Wizard Home Loans and AAMI) to be not only greater than NRL club Rugby League but a more superior spectacle than International Rugby League games.

Such is the pull of State of Origin, that international players such as Sonny Bill Williams and Roy Asotasi would give anything to be part of the ultimate clash - but as such, permission isn't granted to foreign players just yet. Other corners of the Rugby League world have suggested a series involving NZ and the UK to make it a more widely accepted series and bring further world wide audiences.

The NRL doesn't control the State of Origin, it runs under the ARL management system - however in 2008, the NRL local club game rules were applied, such as 10 man interchange. But for lovers of weekly club NRL, NRL results and the NRL table position of their team takes a back-row seat as Origin comes into play for a month of the year.