State of Origin Hatred Is Alive & Well

Source: Getty Images

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.........