The players have alot to do with it, but refs in origin are more lenient.

agreed, it's a combination of the two, also the pace of the game means the referee's can't indulge in the histrionics the morons that referee our competition do. Also, you get very few Origin players (or NRL players) whining like Tomkins/Burrow et al do, they just get on with the game.

What a fantastic advert for RL.Quality commentary sooooooooooooooooo much better than listening to those two clowns Eddie and Stevo

f the game was reffed like that the idiots on sky and the fans in this country wouldn't shut up moaning about it. The reason the game will never be as big in this country is the fans and the media moan about pretty much every aspect of our game instead of supporting it.

SOO took a few years to catch on even in NSW and QLD but they stuck with it and its become a huge event. Where as instead of giving the origin concept in this country time to build we decreed it a failure after 2 years. The same will happen to the Exiles game.

NSW kicking game wasn't that good either , Cracking game though.

I think that we need to go back to the Yorkshire vs Lancashire games (or maybe Yorkshire vs North-West).

Made a silly mistake of watching Origin when I get home from work and following it up with the England game. I should have done it the other way round because it's quite a drop in standard. The intensity of the Origin game was great.
I love Luke Lewis. Throws his body around all game and constantly puts great shots in.

Had the great pleasure of watching the game on my sofa , kids in bed , wife on a late and me with a bottle of quality white and a thai fish curry to boot.

Delighted to see that QLD had matched NSW aggression. A GREAT game and then me and the missus watched Mr's Brown's Boys as it has only just started here in Melbourne. There was a glass of white left for her LOL

Was at the game with my Queensland mate and the atmosphere was truly electric throughout the match. I really believed NSW would win when they they pulled back to 20 all.As you saw it was a game that really showed just how good Rugby League can be. I was at all 3 matches in this series and count myself lucky to have witnessed first hand this great contest.

Talking of contests I note someone mentioned the Wembley cup final in 1985.I rate this match as one of the top matches I have attended since I started watching the game some 65 years ago.

Gutted!!
I honestly thought NSW would win but Queensland were better on the night. Going with no props on the bench told at times and was probably the wrong decision.

Fantastic game of RL.

Fantastic game, that is how RL should be played!

also so many players you'd love to see pull on the Black & White one day!

I'd take any one of them in B&W

Watched it last night, was gutted! Really thought Blues would do it this time.

Gallen and Bird are warriors.

Have now watched the full game, intense finish. I have to say though, that whilst Queensland are clearly a quality side, the really do benefit massively from favourable officiating IMO. All of the key decisions seem to go their way (certainly the dodgy ones), and they get away with a hell of a lot too. It was clear from early doors that their tactics were to throw in as many headshots, punches, and general winding up techniques as possible to get at NSW, but they get away with it. I know the officials are generally more relaxed for Origin, but it seems to be for one side more than the other to me.