Origin 2021: QRL, Maroons stars at war with NRL over the scrapping of behind-the-scenes documentary

Panned last year by Wayne Bennett, the NRL have again been forced to abandon plans for a behind-the-scenes Origin documentary after meeting fierce Maroons resistance.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 03: Christian Welch and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui walk out for the start of a Queensland Maroons State of Origin training session at Cbus Super Stadium on June 03, 2021 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

An Origin spat has erupted after Queensland officials and fed-up Maroons stars slammed the NRL over the blame game in scrapping a behind-the-scenes documentary.

The NRL’s hopes of producing a State of Origin documentary - similar to the hugely-popular The Last Dance series on Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls - were dashed following a backlash from the states and players.

The idea failed to get off the ground last year and was once again rejected by Origin stakeholders this season, prompting NRL CEO Andrew Abdo to admit he was “frustrated” by the objections.

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QRL Chairman Bruce Hatcher has hit out at the NRL.

Former Queensland coach Wayne Bennett was firmly against the proposal last year and the NRL once again failed to convince the states that it was a worthwhile exercise despite dangling a $140,000 carrot in front of the players.

Queensland Rugby League chairman Bruce Hatcher slammed suggestions the players and states were against the idea, instead claiming the NRL bungled the process.

“We made it clear we do not want intrusion on our Origin preparations,” he said.

“I understand the fans want an insight into the teams, but I love rugby league more than anyone and I don’t need to see a bloke in the sheds in his jockstrap.

“I understand why the NRL wants to do a documentary of this nature, but we have major concerns. Wayne Bennett was not a fan of it last year and Paul Green (new Queensland coach) has similar concerns.

“Some parts of the Origin inner-sanctum should be sacred. If a player is getting dropped or getting a rocket from the coach, they don’t want to be doing it in front of the TV cameras.

Christian Welch is not against a documentary but wants the players to be consulted.

“Wayne didn’t want cameras following him around. He said ’the moment you hit record, I won’t speak’. He wanted no-go zones.

“The problem is the lack of notice from the NRL. They have sprung this idea on us in April.

“If you are serious about doing the documentary properly, well give us time to have discussions and make sure the process is managed with respect to some boundaries and privacy for the Queensland playing group. Treat us like we are grown ups.

“If they plan it properly, we will work with them, but we weren’t told about this until the end of April with Origin I six weeks away.

“Some fans believe it’s their right to see everything. This is a professional environment for our players and our preparations can’t be disrupted by cameras in their faces 24-7.”

Wayne Bennett was against the idea last year.

The NRL’s elite stars and Rugby League Players’ Association have come under fire for their opposition to the documentary.

The players are also in the midst of a showdown with ARLC chairman Peter V’landys and the NRL over the introduction of numerous new rules and the controversial high-contact crackdown.

Queensland prop Christian Welch, a director of the RLPA, said the Origin documentary was a prime example of the players not being consulted on the game’s biggest issues.

“You look at the Origin documentary – they’ve teed off saying the players have dogged us and it’s been two years in the making,” Welch said.

“Well, if it’s been two years in the making then don’t come a week before the series kicks off and throw it on us.

The Test was hugely successful fly-on-the-wall sport documentary.

“They’ve known since November last year when it got canned. Bring the players in for consultation.

“No player is against having a documentary. You watch The Test (series on Australian cricket team) and it’s great.

“It’s just the process, the lack of respect for the playing group who will be instrumental in the documentary. You’d think you’d maybe involve us in the process.

“The states weren’t happy with it either. It’s been disappointing to see some of the things that it’s always the players’ fault. That’s been a bit concerning.

“We want what’s best for the game, we’re fans just like everyone else. It’s a bit disappointing, the current relationship with the NRL. There are certainly areas to improve.”