League: Test football is back

Jesse Bromwich of the Kiwis pushes away from Johnathan Thurston of Australia during the Trans-Tasman Test match between the Australia Kangaroos and the New Zealand Kiwis. Photo / Getty Images

In the wake of the Kiwis latest win over Australia, who still believes that State of Origin is the pinnacle of rugby league?

If you do, it's probably time to reconsider your position. It's a flawed view; test football is back, in a big way.

This current New Zealand side lose nothing in comparison with either the Maroons or the Blues, and on a good day would beat either of them. After all, they've just put the best of Queensland and New South Wales to the sword.

That might seem like a knee jerk reaction to recent success but it's not. It's logic. State of Origin is wonderful theatre, that produces sport of the highest quality game after game, year after year. It's a grim test of endurance, grit and skill that has few parallels with any sporting contest in the world.

But does anybody seriously think that this current Kiwis team couldn't match that standard, especially with the luxury of a 10 day build-up to the game and all of the resources poured into each team?

Neither Queensland or NSW - as has been shown in the last three trans-tasman tests - currently possess the type of forwards that can live with the Kiwis pack in full flight.
James Tamou (ahem) is the closest to that brutal mix of mobility, power and ball playing prowess.

Does anybody really believe that Ben Matulino, Issac Luke and Jesse Bromwich couldn't cope with any front row combination that was selected by either Origin team?

Then look at the potential ball running impact of Martin Taupau and Jason Taumalolo, while Simon Mannering would be a perfect Origin specimen.

Last year's winning NSW Origin side featured Trent Hodkinson and Josh Reynolds in the halves. The Bulldogs pair are extremely capable players, but would you choose them ahead of Kieran Foran and Shaun Johnson for a one off match?

The recent tests should be a reality check for Origin fans. Michael Jennings is a superstar is those games, but has done little in the recent clashes against the Kiwis, as has Cooper Cronk and Greg Inglis.

Sure, test football hasn't always been comparable to Origin but it is at the moment. The Kiwis' second half defensive effort on Sunday was straight out of the Origin mould, as they refused to buckle under severe pressure while two of their tries were superb efforts.

The annual interstate battle is just around the corner and will as entertaining as ever, but `country of origin' is in a much better state.