Maroons never able to match NSW for Origin player depth … and this star-studded rookie Blues team proves it

Queensland always wanted equal top billing in the story of rugby league in Australia and they grabbed their opportunity with both hands when they convinced NSW to abandon the long-standing one-sided interstate series for an Origin-based state clash in 1980.

Finally, they had their chance to prove once and for all that they could match it with the poker machine-backed talent poachers from south of the border, and match it they did, winning 24 of the 43 series decided since the first three game series in 1982, as well as the one-off games in 1980 and 1981.

Remarkably, they’ve achieved this success using just 235 players when compared to NSW’s 318, not because of their alleged “pick and stick” selection loyalty program, but because there just wasn’t as many eligible Queensland players to choose from when compared to the number NSW have always had at their disposal.

Blame this imbalance in the talent pool on state population differences, the number of NRL teams in NSW when compared to Queensland, or even Pasifika migration patterns, the result is that NSW have had, and will continue to have, more eligible players to choose from.

To illustrate this point, how would Queensland fare if both sides had to go back to the drawing board this year and select a team of rookies who were eligible to represent their state, but who had not yet worn their state’s jersey?

NSW would be fine, and could easily come up with a more than competitive team featuring some of the biggest stars in the game along with some outstanding prospects, looking something like this:

Fullback: Ryan Papenhuyzen – one of the best fullbacks in the game, in great form, and only untimely injuries have kept him out of the NSW side to date.

Wingers: Jacob Kiraz and Dolphins rising star Jack Bostock would have the inside running here, or perhaps Reuben Garrick if you want a top-flight goal kicker in the side or even the hard running Paul Alamoti who has come on in leaps and bounds since joining the Panthers.

Centres: Take your pick, would you prefer the power game of a Jesse Ramien and Moses Suli pairing, the speed of Tolu Koula and Bronson Xerri, or either of the wing back-ups mentioned above in Garrick and Alamoti?

Five-eighth: Exciting Roosters prospect Sandon Smith fills this role.

Halfback: Isayia Katoa – who else, as he looks to be Origin bound in the next couple of years.

Props: The much-improved Max King from the Bulldogs deserves one spot alongside the tireless Roosters’ reject in Terrell May.

Hooker: Wayde Egan – tough, talented and “made for Origin”.

Second-rowers: Jacob Preston would have to be the first back rower picked in this side, and he could be joined by the underrated Tigers’ hard man in Alex Seyfarth, although Nat Butcher wouldn’t look out of place in a Blue jersey either.

Lock: The tough and experienced Josh Curran takes the No.13 jersey.

Bench: Tyran Wishart and Connor Tracey would give the side plenty of versatility, while the Sharks duo of Tom Hazelton and Oregon Kaufusi could provide the grunt.

Could Queensland come up with a rookie side to match this one, unlikely, so the future looks bright for the Blues, although I suspect that the Maroons don’t really care a jot and will always believe that they can find someone to wear their jersey with pride when called upon.