Footy expert Mike Wood has ignited debate on social media, asserting that the State of Origin series no longer represents the pinnacle of rugby league. Wood's comments, made following the New South Wales Blues' series victory, suggest that both the on-field product and the broader significance of Origin have been outpaced by other aspects of the sport.
Wood expressed his views on X, formerly Twitter, stating that while Origin has historically been considered the ultimate prize by players, this is no longer the case. He contends that on-field, the series is "miles off" its former glory, and "off it, it's been left behind." He acknowledged that the series is still "good" and "marketable," but not the "peak."
Shifting Peaks in Rugby League
Wood proposed that for emotional intensity, Test football has regained its status as the peak, while the NRL Grand Final offers the best on-field product. This assessment has divided fans online, with some agreeing with Wood's assessment and others questioning his claims.
One user, looney tune, supported Wood's stance, noting the rise of Pacific Island nations in international rugby league and changes in the game's rules that have altered the physicality that once defined Origin. Another user described State of Origin as "great midweek entertainment," but stated that the NRL Premiership remains the ultimate pinnacle for supporters.
However, not all social media users agreed. International Rugby League Sumo argued that Origin is still the peak on the field, a sentiment echoed by other users who believe that while players may aspire to win a grand final, playing for one's country should be the sport's ultimate achievement. Wood countered these arguments, reiterating his belief that coaching deficiencies in the current Origin teams contribute to a decline in on-field quality, contrasting it with past eras where strong player rosters compensated for perceived coaching gaps.