What it is like to watch Origin with a group of former NSW players
The Daily Telegraph watched NSW usher in a new Origin era alongsides Blues veterans — Mitchell Pearce, Robbie Farah, Anthony Minichiello, Matt Moylan and Adam Reynolds.
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WATCHING Origin is one of the best nights on the sporting calendar, but the experience goes to another level when you’re sitting alongside a cast of former NSW players.
We’re in a packed sports bar at The Star Casino, in the heart of Sydney, with ex-Blues Mitchell Pearce, Robbie Farah, Anthony Minichiello, Matt Moylan and Adam Reynolds.
The boys aren’t playing, but they’re pumped to see the next generation of NSW players perform on the game’s greatest stage.
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Between them, they’ve combined for 50 Origin games, so they understand the pride and pressure associated with league’s showpiece event.
From the average punter’s perspective, it’s like watching Origin with five sideline eyes who provide expert analysis and anecdotes with every play.
This was on display from the opening whistle.
“How quick is this game?! — there are no stoppages,” Farah beamed with a broad, approving smile.
You can’t deny Robbie’s appetite for Origin. The boy from Campsie bled for the Blues in 16 appearances from 2009 to 2016.
The former Tiger even has an Origin tattoo branded on his bicep — a permanent reminder of the 2014 series when NSW ended Queensland’s eight-year reign.
Farah loves the intensity and rivalry of Origin. It’s why he intently watched every play like a proud father pacing the sideline.
The veteran hooker perked up in the 22nd minute when his Souths teammate Damien Cook set up NSW’s opening try with blistering speed out of dummy half.
Cook split Queensland’s markers and offloaded to Maloney, who found Tedesco for a special team try.
This scintillating passage of play prompted Farah to jump out of his seat, but he wasn’t alone.
Moylan was equally excited, announcing: “Cooky used to do that all the time when he played 20s at Penrith.”
The players’ emotions soon shifted when Maroons skipper Greg Inglis whacked Blues winger Tom Trbojevic into next week with a hit for the ages.
Reynolds’ eyes lit up with that “I’ve seen that before” look as his Rabbitohs captain delivered a classic Origin tackle on Turbo Tom.
GI’s brutal effort fired up the Maroons, who reduced NSW’s lead to two points minutes later via a Valentine Holmes intercept try.
This is when the ex-Blues players started sweating.
From experience, they know Queensland thrive with their backs against the wall.
There was no Smith, Thurston, Cronk, Scott, Slater or Boyd, yet the Maroons were going toe-to-toe with the baby Blues.
NSW went to the break with a two-point advantage, but Farah and co were worried.
“If this game stays in a grind, I’ve got a feeling Queensland will get away with it,” the former Tiger conceded.
Farah’s fears became reality three minutes into the second half when Dane Gagai pounced on a perfectly-placed Ben Hunt kick to give the Maroons the lead.
“I told you they’d come back,” Farah says, shaking his head.
“They always do.”
Luckily for Farah, the game flipped in NSW’s favour in the space of three minutes.
Rookie back Latrell Mitchell barged over to level the match, before Turbo Tom regained his breath from Inglis’ earlier bellringer to leap high and score the type of try that prompted Sydney Swans scouts to chase his signature as a teen.
Suddenly, the smiles returned for our group of former Blues. NSW were on top and looked destined to defeat the men in Maroon.
Before the Blues could celebrate, Brad Fittler’s men were faced with a heart scare when Cook hit the deck after copping a stray knee to the sternum.
Farah looked physically sick watching on. An injury to Cook would open the door for him to return to the NRL ranks.
Instead, Farah dropped his head and turned white at the sight of Rabbitohs teammate in pain.
Thankfully, Cook bravely found to his feet to finish the match.
NSW’s victory was capped off with 11 minutes remaining when the world’s fastest man Josh Addo-Carr crossed.
Addo-Carr’s four-pointer attracted cheers from our ex-Blues, who marvelled at the Fox’s silky skills.
“Wow, how quick is that bloke,” Reynolds enthused.
“Yeah, strong as well,” Farah responded.
“I remember when he was at the Tigers and scoring three tries in reserve grade.
“Look at him now.”
Indeed, Robbie.
Players like Addo-Carr, Cook and Cleary are key components in NSW’s refreshing change of culture.
No egos, just team first. Blues first.
As the full-time siren rings out across the MCG, the former Blues players stand as one to applaud the win.
Mitchell Pearce looked particularly happy, sporting a smile a mile wide.
Pearce, often the whipping boy for a decade of Blues’ defeats, looked like a sizeable weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
The injured Knights playmaker was genuinely thrilled to see Fittler’s baby Blues beat those pesky Maroons.
NSW’s new era has arrived, people, get on board.