Richie Barnett: Origin fever - crazy and compulsive

Akuila Uate of the Blues celebrates with team mates after scoring the opening try during game one of the ARL State of Origin series. Photo / Quinn Rooney

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.

If us Kiwis would like to see international league replace Origin rivalry at the top of the pole, then we need to beat them more often. The tide is turning; we put them on their backside more often these days than we used to.

As for the current series, the Maroons forwards were dead on their feet by the end of Wednesday's match. NSW played an expansive game that took Queensland's big boppers out of the reckoning and left them out of puff. But when their backs hit their straps, the Maroons simply cannot be stopped.

Expect more of the same in the two matches to follow.