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Queenslander
21-05-07, 11:46 AM
Blues’ claim is Mickey Mouse

By Barry Dick

Monday, May 21, 2007 at 11:49am

IT was State of Origin rugby league’s most embarrassing moment but the Blues are so desperate for interstate supremacy yhey’re trying to claim it as the real thing.

I’m talking about the one-off attempt 20 years ago to export the code’s No.1 showcase event to the United States with an exhibition game played at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach, California on August 6, 1987, a ``game’’ NSW insists should be counted in official Origin records.

As an experiment the ``Mickey Mouse game’’ (as it has become known thanks to the great picture of Cliffy Lyons and Peter Sterling with Mickey at Disneyland) was a failure _ 12,000 people turned up after 20,000 free tickets were sprinkled around the town _ and as a game it was even worse with one side (NSW) serious and the other having some fun.

It is a disgrace to even contemplate including Long Beach in the Origin records and the Queensland Rugby League is to be congratulated for removing it from the players’ appearances. But there it is, year after year, in the official Origin program and the year books.

What a joke. A couple of years ago, I asked some of the players who took part in the exhibition game what they thought of it being included in the official results, here’s what they said:

Former NSW star Michael O’Connor (laughing): ``It was only a promotional game, mate. I remember we weren’t allowed to drink on the way over but the Queenslanders certainly made up for it.’’

Steve Roach: ``It’s ridiculous to count it.’’

And former Queensland star Tony Currie: ``Tell ‘em they are California dreaming. It was an exhibition game and that’s that.’’

So when you see the ``official’’ game tally being listed as Played 78, Queensland 38, NSW 38 and draws 2; make your own deductions it should be Played 77, Qld 38, NSW 37, Draws 2.

www.thecouriermail.com.au

Darren Lockyer
21-05-07, 12:55 PM
i don't know what that is so i voted for no

Steve
21-05-07, 01:04 PM
I'll go with yes.

Sounds more like a squabble over nothing.

Capital_Shark
21-05-07, 01:45 PM
Yes. If we had of won it we'd friggin claim it.

Hoppy2007Dragons
21-05-07, 02:02 PM
Wat cs said.

Honeslty though who cares, the blues will win this series and lead regardless :) :laugh:

RLfan
22-05-07, 06:21 PM
Apparently the boys were having a drinking contest on the way to the game in the bus. I think Sam Backo won.

Old Diehard
23-05-07, 04:49 PM
Good on Sam!

Steel Dragon
23-05-07, 10:36 PM
Of course it should be counted. The Blues won!!! ;)

Jason

DIEHARD
23-05-07, 10:42 PM
Under no circumstances should this game be counted! It should be stricken from the official records!

If we count the game, wouldn't the series be a DRAW, 2 games all. Flawed!

Old Diehard
23-05-07, 11:04 PM
I think it should be counted!

BECAUSE the ****ies are that damn keen on it being counted! You know what else I want to count the number of immigrants to Queensland in the last 20 years that are People that still call themselves Southerns!

Steelers
23-05-07, 11:12 PM
It was an exhibition game to try and advertise Rugby League to the USA. Even if the result went QLD's way, I would still want it to not be included.

Queenslander
24-05-07, 07:08 AM
Under no circumstances should this game be counted! It should be stricken from the official records!

If we count the game, wouldn't the series be a DRAW, 2 games all. Flawed!


Exactly,

Channel Nine were displaying the records acording to NSW last night too........If they are going to include it they should at least have a note stating *This includes the Exhibition match played in California

Chelle79
24-05-07, 07:58 AM
Let them have it at least now its

Played 79, Queensland 39, NSW 38 and draws 2;

bigjim
24-05-07, 08:36 AM
After last night's display, the southerners can do what they like.

Queensland will win this campaign 3/0 and put it beyond doubt who are the champions.:)

Supergoose
24-05-07, 12:40 PM
Why do they also insist on displaying the series as drawn. The titleholder in a drawn series goes to the team that won it last time. In both instances Qld. I would count the Californian game. Any time these two teams compete should be counted. If the Qlders decided to get on the sauce then that's there own fault. I take into account OD's comments about the series result though. If that series was decided without including the game then that paints it in a different light. Had a bit each way there didn't I.

DIEHARD
24-05-07, 03:54 PM
It can't be accepted.

If it is counted the series would officially be drawn. And NSW won the series the year previous, and they did not end up with the shield. When and where was the shield presented to the winning team?

Not after the mickey mouse game!

It is garbage and I am sure it is only within the last 5 years NSW has decided to start counting it.

Steel Dragon
06-06-07, 12:59 AM
Get over yourselves. Is it really worth crying over one game in 28 years being included/not included in the official records? But I forget, you Queenslanders would stop breathing if you ever thought you weren't getting dudded in some way or other.

Jason

Old Diehard
06-06-07, 09:07 AM
Now Steele - now we just got hope Shane Hayne isn't the 18th player for NSW ...Would hate to see NSW having to keep cheating to finally win! Don't bull Steele about having to come to Qld for Uni, Lismore has a campus, you just came here to increase your IQ so you can qualify as a queenslander (breath the air up here for 30 year or more and you might make the grade!)

Lets agree to disagree over this game- no one watched it anyway and I was over in the States at the time it was on!!!! iF FACT I ONLY HEARD ABOUT IT AFTER A SURFING AND PARTYING HOLIDAY IN BAHA MEXICO!

Coaster
06-06-07, 09:51 AM
Why do they also insist on displaying the series as drawn. The titleholder in a drawn series goes to the team that won it last time. In both instances Qld.

Exactly they dont call Ashes test series drawn, the winner wins with a draw, same with Boxing, same with something like the Bloodyslow Cup.

Only NSW Farkwits play a game for 20 years and still dont know the rules:rolf:

Coaster
06-06-07, 09:53 AM
Get over yourselves. Is it really worth crying over one game in 28 years being included/not included in the official records?
Jason

Ok so we all agree
It shouldnt be included

End of story

Steel Dragon
11-06-07, 08:52 PM
Don't bull Steele about having to come to Qld for Uni, Lismore has a campus, you just came here to increase your IQ so you can qualify as a queenslander (breath the air up here for 30 year or more and you might make the grade!)

You numbnut. Southern Cross Uni is a joke. The only course there that is worth a pinch of salt is accounting, which for some unknown reason is very highly regarded. They also do not offer courses in Maths/Science/Engineering, or at least they didn't when I finished high school. I applied in both states, received an offer for a Bachelor of Engineering at UQ and a Bachelor of Aeronautical Engineering at UTS. Went for the UQ degree because it was closer to home and the degree was more flexible (no specialisation until second year).

Jason

travop
12-06-07, 08:11 AM
yea it should be counted

travop
12-06-07, 08:12 AM
You numbnut. Southern Cross Uni is a joke.


y r u going there u should go to a gud uni in qld

Steelers
12-06-07, 02:24 PM
y r u going there u should go to a gud uni in qld

He isn't going there, he IS going to a good uni in QLD.

Steel Dragon
12-06-07, 08:14 PM
y r u going there u should go to a gud uni in qld

At least we southerners can spell mate. ;)

Jason