Queenslander
14-12-05, 11:51 AM
QUEENSLAND legend Gorden Tallis says NSW can expect a hostile reception when Origin returns to Melbourne next year.
While technically a Blues home game, Tallis said the decision to move next year's third game of the Origin series to Telstra Dome could play into the Maroons' hands.
"If there's one thing that Victorians and Queenslanders have in common it's a deep dislike of NSW and I think that will show in the crowd," Tallis said yesterday.
"Victorians don't leave their state to live in Sydney, they come to Queensland. I'm sure the majority will get behind the mighty Maroons."
It was a sentiment backed by Melbourne Storm's Queensland hooker Cameron Smith who joined with Tallis and former NSW great Laurie
Daley yesterday to launch ticket sales for the July 6 game.
Origin has not been played in Melbourne since 1997 when NSW won 15-14 at the MCG.
"It will definitely feel like a home game for me and given we have a number of Queensland guys at Storm, I'd be disappointed if we didn't have the majority of the support," Smith said.
"I am really excited about it. I remember watching the games they played in Melbourne as a kid and after living down here for a few years, I know it is going to be really successful."
Tallis said he could understand the frustrations of those who believe Origin should not be played away from the home states, but said it was important in terms of the code's growth.
"A lot of the NSW and Queensland fans won't be happy because it is a bit like taking the Melbourne Cup to Randwick," he said.
"It is a big thing for rugby league to bring our pinnacle game to Melbourne, but if it helps grow the sport down here then I believe it is worthwhile."
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,17563080-23214,00.html
While technically a Blues home game, Tallis said the decision to move next year's third game of the Origin series to Telstra Dome could play into the Maroons' hands.
"If there's one thing that Victorians and Queenslanders have in common it's a deep dislike of NSW and I think that will show in the crowd," Tallis said yesterday.
"Victorians don't leave their state to live in Sydney, they come to Queensland. I'm sure the majority will get behind the mighty Maroons."
It was a sentiment backed by Melbourne Storm's Queensland hooker Cameron Smith who joined with Tallis and former NSW great Laurie
Daley yesterday to launch ticket sales for the July 6 game.
Origin has not been played in Melbourne since 1997 when NSW won 15-14 at the MCG.
"It will definitely feel like a home game for me and given we have a number of Queensland guys at Storm, I'd be disappointed if we didn't have the majority of the support," Smith said.
"I am really excited about it. I remember watching the games they played in Melbourne as a kid and after living down here for a few years, I know it is going to be really successful."
Tallis said he could understand the frustrations of those who believe Origin should not be played away from the home states, but said it was important in terms of the code's growth.
"A lot of the NSW and Queensland fans won't be happy because it is a bit like taking the Melbourne Cup to Randwick," he said.
"It is a big thing for rugby league to bring our pinnacle game to Melbourne, but if it helps grow the sport down here then I believe it is worthwhile."
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,17563080-23214,00.html