As a Kiwi playing in a Sydney club, Origin time is something special. You get to be a spectator as madness grips the place - all your Aussie teammates split down state lines.
The NRL club scene comes alive with a special buzz; the media are all over it; the whole culture of Sydney seems to switch focus and you can't help but get excited.
As you might expect, the Origin event brings something feral - a unique level of antipathy.
Tommy Raudonikis was New South Wales through and through. He told me the mere sight of the colour maroon would make him uncontrollably angry - and he told me in such a way I knew he wasn't exaggerating. It's always been the most physical clash. Times change, but the combative heart of Origin never does.
There are some who think Origin is a disservice to international league - and it's true that Aussie players regard it as the pinnacle of achievement in their sport. But that's because the Kangaroos have walked it at international level for so long.