State of Origin Hatred Is Alive & Well

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Game 1 of the 2014 State of Origin series between Queensland & NSW has definitely guaranteed a few things. We hate them, they hate us and both sides believe they copped the raw end of the deal from the refs.

When NSW were on the cusp of winning a 4th straight series in 2006 after winning the first game, many were starting to talking about the death of Origin. Everyone knows what happened though and 8 series later NSW are 1 game ahead as they try and put an end to the 8 year dominance that Queensland has held.

With NSW desperate to end the losing run, it was a well held belief that they would go all out to try and win the 2014 series. With a controversial game that saw NSW take the first game, there are many talking points that show the rivalry between the states is as strong as it has ever been.

NSW players & fans are complaining that the referees did everything they could to help Queensland win the game. But seriously did they watch the same coverage that those North of the border saw. There was more talk about the broken arm of Cronk and how it was inflicted by Nate Myles then there was about the dangerous throw from Reynolds & deliberate knees from Hayne that saw little concern from the referees.

Hayne just got told to be more careful and Reynolds was only penalised and put on report for an offence that the NRL has stated very clearly there is no tolerance for any longer in the game. We also see plenty of niggle & players pushing the boundary but this game saw some players taking this too far and 2 referees too scared to do anything about it. It is quite surprising that a brawl did not break out as it was quite obvious players were frustrated that nothing was being done.

Since the game has finished we have been exposed to the true things that make Queenslanders hate NSW this time of year. Reynolds was only charged with a grade 2 dangerous throw and if he challenged it and failed still only faced 3 instead of 2 weeks on the sidelines. It was then no surprise that he did challenge the level of grading. Somehow a judiciary panel only took 10 minutes to decide that the grading should be reduced to a level one offence. And because he then accepted this will serve no suspension. What a crock.

NSW can say what they want about some 50/50 calls going against them but for the NRL to say that this sort of tackle is acceptable is where the hatred returns. We are back in the days where the NRL is run like the ARL and is only there to serve the NSWRL.  Since Wednesday night we have seen a NSW side that is not only gloating with their victory, they are some how also carrying on like a loser that lost due to a howler from the referee. Maybe it is time to sit back and review the game play by play and actually see just how much NSW got away with.

Either way the result won't change and Queensland will enjoy being able to get square with Reynolds. We have 2 more games to hate NSW and they have 2 more games to hate Queensland. The only downfall from Game 1 is that it appears the game does not care how bias or inept it looks. Here was a great chance for the game to say that dangerous tackles have no place in the game, yet they have decided that for this week, it doesn't apply. It is sad to say but maybe a player has to suffer a major neck or back injury form one of these tackles for action to be taken. Oh wait.........

S Files : Ep 64 - State of Origin 1

The ref will probably say he didn't see it too or will they blame Tate.

The Tinman & Shabs joined up for a podcast for State of Origin 1 that was recorded over the course of the night.

As you will hear the comments and emotions ranged quite dramatically. If you take offence at what we have to say then you are obviously part of the camp that thinks that deliberate knees in stopping tackles, and tackles that would see a player in any other colour jersey sent straight from the field. And as NSW made no apology or showed any remorse for the dangerous throw, we will not show any remorse or apologise if any of our comments offend.

And after reading today that Reynolds will only be facing a grade 2 dangerous throw charge shows that the players who wear blue are seen in a special light. But if that is the sort of things that are needed to help NSW win then good luck to them.

Enjoy the episode and bring on game 2.

The S Files : Episode 63, Pre State of Origin 2014

The smell of fear is in the air so it must mean that NSW are running scared about facing Queensland in the State of Origin. As Queensland prepares to start the campaign to go for 9 straight series, the Tinman & Shabs sat down to record an other epic episode.

As you would expect we jumped straight into the NRL & Origin and gave our thoughts on the games that were played over the weekend. We then took a look at the Origin showdown that is not far off. We are tipping a Queensland victory in game one and a very dirty, niggling game that one would always expect from NSW. 

The Super Rugby season is almost at the pointy end and even though the Tinman checked out long ago on this competition, Shabs is an avid supporter and gives his views on the shambles that seems to be the official look on the competition. 

The mid pubcast song is a little long (Hey it took us by surprise too, but gave us ample time to grab another beer and enjoy the great food that Rosco always puts on at the Coral Cove Bar & Grill) but when you come across a cover of Wild Horses by The Flying Burrito Brothers, it is hard to not play it.

After the break we give an update on the Boston 13's whose pre-season is now over and start their USA Rugby League Campaign on the 31st May against the Baltimore Blues.  We finally announce our sponsorship details with this great club and we are proud to be part of a great tradition.

Every season the player who won the 13th Warrior Shield in the previous season is given the honour of wearing the number 13 as their playing number. This year that will be A J Mudofrd, a talented hooker & fullback from New Zealand with Bostonian Heritage. From what we have been told AJ will most likely be lining up at hooker or scrum half depending on how the roster shapes up.

We are really looking forward to following the season with the Boston 13's this year and wish them the best of luck.

The awards always wrap things up and we find time to stick it to a few. Cricket is not forgotten with a few Kiwis deciding they want to be part of the corruption in the sub continent that wants to destroy cricket for the sake of personal gain.

Stay tuned as we will be recording on Wednesday night before during and after the Origin for a first hand look at how we saw the game.

The S Files : Episode 62

The Tinman ventured out to The Lighthouse Hotel this week & with the absence of Shabs to record a special edition of the S Files with special guests Allan "Alfie" Langer & Peter Psaltis.

It is no surprise that all talk was around the NRL and it seems the word most commonly stated at the moment is "Consistency".

There is common ground on what people want changed. The issue of 2 on field refs was discussed and should referees be indicating try/no try when referring to the video refs. A common sense approach needs to be taken in the game but that doesn't seem to be the case at the moment.

With a fellow Liverpool supporter on board in Peter Psaltis, the subject of football was raised and we unfortunately found out the Alfie is a Manchester United supporter but we won't hold it against him.

We finished up with the StubbyStrip award which Alfie was kind enough to award this week. We kindly gave Peter his own StubbyStrip as well in a nice Liverpool Red colour.

The closing song is the title song from Carl Wockner's 'Crayon Days'.

The S Files : Episode 61 - A Roaring Success

Better late than never but here is the pubcast we recorded in a slightly different style for the A-League Grand-Final. The Tinman & Shabs were joined by our Italian football specialist Guilio, Ferris dropped in and it was great to have Cheech on the sidelines again.

Before we previewed the A-League Grand Final we had a look a the shambles that is also known as the NRL. It seems that some under 20 players are that stupid they have forgotten that people can read what is on their strapping and the refs mic can pick up a lot of things said. In the aftermath as expected some soft penalties were handed out. It has raised some interesting points in whether the rep weekend is worth it at all.

We tried something different and if the feedback is good this could become a regular change. We previewed the A-League Grand Final before we headed into a break with a word from our sponsors at Shop 85 in Bundaberg. Everyone gave their tips & from recollection the Tinman was on the money.

After a frustrating first half we analyzed were the game was at and what the Roar needed to do to pull off a win. Yet again the Tinman might have been on the money but everyone agreed that Henrique needed to come on in the 2nd half.

We then returned after the Brisbane Roar showed yet again they are a team that knows games of football are 90+ minutes ling. The never say die attitude was the big difference. Although there was plenty of consensus that a few Wanderers players got off lightly on the card front. So while we and plenty of Roar supporters celebrated into the night there are plenty of supporters from Western Sydney that are learning why their team are called the Wanderers. Forever wandering in search of a Grand Final win. And we can't forget to mention who was honoured with the StubbyStrip Award........It was a unanimous vote for Brisbane Roar's little Smeagol - Henrique. And don;t forget that when you buy a StubbyStrip to mention that you heard it here.