Victorian Sport Minister can't wait for game between Queensland and ... New Zealand

[VAI]

It's rugby league's showpiece, and high-ranked Victorians have made no secret that they want more of it. Yet how much do they know about State of Origin?

Well, if you rely on the Victorian Minister for Sport and Recreation, Hugh Delahunty, possibly not much - unless, of course, you're talking about "State of the Origin".

Delahunty was guest at this morning's media conference before Wednesday night's game one at Etihad Stadium, and managed a few unfortunate mistakes during his speech.

First, he referred to NSW captain Paul Gallen, who was in attendance along with Blues coach Ricky Stuart and his Queensland counterpart Mal Meninga and second-rower Sam Thaiday, as "Paul Callen".

And then this. "All rugby league supporters here today, it's fantastic as Minister of Sport to welcome here to this very special game, the first game of the Queensland versus New Zealand ... New Zealand, that's a good start ... Queensland versus New South Wales in the State of the Origin match."

Delahunty, though, maintained his government was passionate about the contest.

"Like we do in other sports, we want to bring the best of the best here to Victoria," he said. "I know there's a lot of passion up there in NSW and Queensland. But we are very passionate about the fact that we want to support these superstar athletes, the game here. We know it's a big clash, it's state against state, and mate against mate, and we want to see it here on Etihad Stadium."


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...new-zealand-20120521-1z0b4.html#ixzz1vfiAe4uD

 

[VAI]

Carney All Blacks! NSW fans in a state over the origin of our little blue

When the circus comes to town, all the Carneys are here aren't they?

It's quite possible that state of origin rule of thumb misguided our sport department when The Age today mistakenly pointed to an interview with Todd Carney and called the Blues five-eighth ''David''.

State of Oops ... Our misdirected pointer to the state of origin story. Photo: Twitter

It could be argued that in the midst of one of the most open AFL seasons in many years, for many Victorians, tonight's ''Origin I'' at Etihad Stadium is a mere sideshow, but given our mistake set off a Twitter storm you have to wonder: what's a circus without a bit of clowning around?

Reaction (see our Storify collection, below) ranged from good-humoured to unhinged, including accusations that Melbourne didn't know, want or give a fig about rugby league's showcase contest.

The identity-crisis affliction is seemingly not limited to our offices.

Most of you will already know that the Victorian Minister for Sport and Recreation, Hugh Delahunty, managed a few unfortunate fumbles during an origin media conference on Monday.

First, he referred to NSW captain Paul Gallen as "Paul Callen", as Gallen, Blues coach Ricky Stuart, his Queensland counterpart Mal Meninga and Maroons second-rower Sam Thaiday looked on.

Then this: "All rugby league supporters here today, it's fantastic as Minister of Sport to welcome here to this very special game, the first game of the Queensland versus New Zealand ... New Zealand, that's a good start ... Queensland versus New South Wales in the state of the origin match."

In case you missed it, our Melbourne-based rugby league expert Stathi Paxinos produced a great preview of the game - and got his Carney right - so rest assured we'll have the best analysis and pictures of all the action.

And we look forward to Socceroos David Carney's performances in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

But for tonight, go the All Blacks!


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...little-blue-20120523-1z46v.html#ixzz1vfiOleT0

 

[VAI]

new zealand
state of THE origin
paul callen
david carney

and they're off to a flyer

 

[Bob dog]

More and more people don't really give a sh1t.
How many series does NSW have to lose before the concept dies?
If the Maroons are reportedly relaxed then maybe the blues should wind off the pressure on themselves and go out and have fun, chance their arm a bit with a good kicking game and plenty of passing to the backs, nothing to lose here.