I’m a British rugby union expert and I went to my first State of Origin game: Here’s everything I learnt about the most brutal rivalry in sport… and why we need to bring it to the UK

Before the chaos started, they played a tune at the MCG that perfectly set the tone for what was to follow: ‘Let’s go to war’. It summed up the appeal of this gladiatorial blockbuster.

For this First-timer in state of origin; the event did not disappoint. It’s a wild ride of a viewing experience. As rugby correspondent for the UK Daily Mail, it was an irresistible detour between England’s matches in Tokyo and New Zealand. I had watched on television several times in the past, but had never witnessed a match firsthand. It was truly epic.

In Melbourne there was little to reveal that the city would host a showpiece on the sporting calendar in this part of the world. One billboard on the way from the airport was about the only giveaway. Since it was a midweek match, fans had to plan their travel south from the competing states, so there weren’t many around until match day.

When they showed up, Queensland dominated. To the uninitiated, it felt like they were the popular choice and true superpower, with New South Wales – despite being the geographically closest state – stuck on the margins and overshadowed by a maroon army.

As a Brit, the thought occurred that if Origin has so much annoyance and conflict on the pitch, perhaps it would also be the same in the stands and the streets nearby. Would there be any problems with the audience? There were no signs of trouble at all. There was some teasing, but that was it. Perhaps this is because alcohol consumption is less extreme than in major sports in our country.

It was interesting to note how much mingling of fans took place in the city. There would be groups of friends in rival colors, or couples where one was blue and one was maroon. It seemed relatively harmonious. Another notable factor was the demographics; not just young men, but all age groups, men and women, and an ethnically diverse gathering. It was indicative of how Origin seemingly covers all areas of Australian society.

As the teams were announced for kick-off, it was amusing to hear the soundtrack of boos. No one seemed to be cheering. It was as if all the energy was being channelled into taunting the opposition rather than cheering on their own players and coaches. Billy Slater received by far the most negativity from the stands, presumably a reflection of his high position in the game, making him a favourite target; a pantomime villain.

The fact that the game was in Melbourne shows that the NRL is in the midst of an expansion campaign. In Britain, rugby league is limited to a narrow northern corridor. There would be a clash between, say, Wigan and Leeds at Wembley, and that would trigger a mass migration to the capital, but there isn’t the same feeling of a mega-event.

The one-sided mauling by the NSW Blues was an ‘epic’ match

Its origins are not well known in Britain, outside the league’s strongholds. It doesn’t really appeal to the general public. But those who see it find it a stunning primal spectacle. It’s just so heavy, so overtly aggressive. League is like that, but when these quality teams collide, it’s taken to the extreme as a demonstration of near-legitimate violence.

This game was on the edge, but it didn’t often go overboard. Two years ago a group of us were watching a game in Sydney and wondered how there were no fatalities. Within the first 10 minutes there were so many high shots that were causing concussions and players being carried away without moving. It was wild.

However, the MCG encounter had some flashpoints and the reaction to them is telling. The public loves it. There was no need for the man on the tannoy to encourage some noise – as he regularly had to do – when it all got going. One scrap early in the second half led to tunes being played in tribute; “I’m about to lose control and I think I like it,” followed by “you gotta fight for your right to party.” Physicality and confrontation are celebrated. Why not?

It was reminiscent of an earlier visit in 2013, when the then New South Wales captain committed so many offenses in quick succession that – as an outsider unfamiliar with the event – ​​it felt like he should be arrested, let alone sent away. . Instead, his memory escaped any action on the field and there was speculation that he might be reported. Power. Astonishing.

That in turn sparked a painful debate about violence in the game and a grim headline in Sydney: ‘NRL bans biff’. There was an uproar. It has even been raised in parliament. Clearly Australians don’t like being told they can’t fight!

Despite being one of the most brutal rivalries in the world, there was no animosity between rival fans at the MCG

More than 90,000 people filled the stadium on Wednesday evening, marking Origin as one of the biggest sporting events

Origin would certainly find a home in Britain. We take it and learn to love it too

There were moments on Wednesday night when it seemed like the ball wasn’t needed. Just let them all beat the shit out of each other – let alone the scoreboard. There was such a desire to make statement shots regardless of whether the victim was in possession at the time or not. The opponents and wind-up merchants are clearly just as adored as the supreme athletes and creative masters.

What is clear to a foreign visitor is that these matches matter so much. Every year it grips large parts of the host country.

State-to-state rivalry is something we have no equivalent of at home. People care more about sports battles between cities; like when teams from Manchester and Liverpool clash in football. Cricket is county based and there is a real advantage when Lancashire and Yorkshire face each other, but nothing like that is the case.

Origin feels on the one hand like a ‘derby’, such is the familiarity and tension between the sides, but also as an international sport, given its enormous size and the interest of the mass market. In the competition it is undoubtedly the biggest show of all, completely eclipsing any World Cup final.

There were 90,000 people at the MCG on Wednesday evening, many of whom traveled from far away to be there. That’s big. It was big and glitzy, from the light show before kick-off to the super skills on display everywhere, against a backdrop of endless wall-to-wall advertising. But many tickets were a bargain, so organizers are clearly trying to ensure it remains an event for the masses. Good for them for that.

All in all, as a passing visitor, this was a bucket list opportunity to enjoy. It’s ferociously compelling. Next time, regardless of Melbourne or Perth or elsewhere in Australia, look north and take a match to London or Manchester. We take it and learn to love it too.