International Origin

[Southern Tiger]

Could we expand the SOO competition to include Yorshire and Lancashire sides, I wasn't overly impressed by NSW this year and think strong sides from our heartland countys could become competitive.

[Pottsy]

AWFUL idea.

[brooza]

AWFUL idea.

I was going to say something along those lines, but ended up just clicking back instead

[Southern Tiger]

Why are so scared, didn't expect such a lilly-livered reaction tbh if we keep that cowardly attitude we'll never beat the test side.

[brooza]

Why are so scared, didn't expect such a lilly-livered reaction tbh if we keep that cowardly attitude we'll never beat the test side.

OK, how would it work?

[Pottsy]

Do you really want me to waste time typing out all of the reasons why this is a daft idea or can we just wait for someone else to do it so I can agree with them?

[East Coast Tiger]

Why would a hugely successful concept like SOO be ruined to include some rubbish teams from England that can't even create a popular and high quality series amongst themselves?

[Southern Tiger]

OK, how would it work?

Same as 4 nations, teams play each other once, Yorkshire v Lancs here the rest in Aus top two play a final

[Southern Tiger]

Why would a hugely successful concept like SOO be ruined to include some rubbish teams from England that can't even create a popular and high quality series amongst themselves?

Well then there would be three rubbish teams in it instead of one wouldn't there

[boxhead]

I think you may find Queensland make NSW look not quite good enough.

If NSW played either county it would be slightly different.

Players like

Tahu

Gasnier

Hayne

Gallen

Watmough

Pearce

Carney

Morris

Lyon

Bird

Would make any England team.

Edited August 12, 2010 by AndyCapp

[East Coast Tiger]

Well then there would be three rubbish teams in it instead of one wouldn't there

The difference is NSW will come good in a couple of years, just as both states have done after bad patches in the past, whereas Yarksher and Lanasher will always be ######. I can just imagine the venues and crowds for that series: Brisbane 50,000, Sydney 70,000, Castelford 6,000, Leigh 5,000. Genius.

[Methven Hornet]

I think there was a case for using the two origin sides in tour fixtures before the RFL switched to a summer season. Queensland toured a number of years ago, and it would have been good to have seen NSW do the same. I think there was a reluctance to sanction tours by non-test teams in case they overshadowed international tours.

Perhaps an idea at one time - ie, when GB was the rep team - would have been to alternate tours by Qld and NSW to GB. in non-tour years, and have a tournament made up of England, Wales (that is splitting GB into its 'states' of origin) Qld/NSW and France. With England being stand-alone these days then it could be seen as downgrading them as an international team. I don't think Lancashire or Yorkshire could live with a full strength origin team.

[Doghead]

I was going to say something along those lines, but ended up just clicking back instead

Are you saying that, English Provincial sides should never have the chance to play their Australian and New Zealand counterparts. Good idea why not.

expansion within the game, what is wrong with that, it gives more players chances to play at the elite level.

Edited August 12, 2010 by Doghead

[deluded pom?]

Queensland toured a number of years ago, and it would have been good to have seen NSW do the same. I think there was a reluctance to sanction tours by non-test teams in case they overshadowed international tours.

Yeah, that was when Mark Broadhurst sat the QL hooker on his ar$e and Hull KR went on to beat Wally and his all star QL side.

[deluded pom?]

Could we expand the SOO competition to include Yorshire and Lancashire sides, I wasn't overly impressed by NSW this year and think strong sides from our heartland countys could become competitive.

Totally silly idea because the ARL would insist that all Lancashire and Yorkshire players make themselves available for Kangaroo selection.

[thirteenthman]

What would be interesting is if England played NSW or Queensland. Matches like that used to take place on Lions Tours years ago, but it would be nice even just as a one off to see how we'd go. I'm pretty sure NSW V England at the SCG would pull in the crowds no problem. I think we'd stand a good chance against them as well. As for Queensland V England in Brisbane, now that would be a game to savour. Sad thing is, it'll never happen.