i hate QLD but you cannot deny that their passion is far far far above NSW, they've won series with weaker teams. If QLD had NSW's talent pool at the moment they are likely to go on another 8 series wins in a row. We get saved more often than not by individual brilliance.
Josh Morris is a legend, Souffs is legitimately one of the worse sides in the comp, they're dirty as fuck
I saw something about this recently in reference to Qld passion. Also basing this view on many Queenslanders I know for me it's a tribalism thing. Since 1908 clubs were formed and for NSW those clubs (especially in Sydney in the beginning) our clubs were the outlet of our passion and tribalism.
While Qld had their own competition and clubs they weren't in the elite competition until 1988 so many adopted a NSW club they supported or liked. However as Origin was reinvented and all Qld players played for Qld, they suddenly had their own team with their own players and this became a mass outlet of state wide tribalism.
I know for me even during the Bulldogs' successful times, I would take two or three Origin series losses in a row in a heartbeat, if it meant the Bulldogs won the premiership. Some Qlders I know would struggle with that given the importance they place on an Origin win. I love NSW and support them, but the Australian team is also an equal or even greater passion than the NSW team and both are definitely a step down from my passion for the Bulldogs, because they're my tribe.