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The Psychology of State of Origin

09-06-2009

In many ways the State of Origin Rugby League series reflects long-standing and deeply-rooted differences between the states. This dates back to colonial times.

In terms of its original occupants Queensland is similar to the southern states. Its Aboriginal population had probably lived there for 40,000 years prior to white settlement. The climate was cooler many centuries ago and the archeologists tell us the indigenous people settled initially in coastal and inland wooded areas where food and water were plentiful. Lake Carpentaria covered vast areas of what is now the Gulf Country.

Brisbane was established as a penal settlement in 1825 for “more intractable convicts”, presumably because of its remoteness from Sydney. The penal settlement was closed in 1839 and land prepared for permanent settlement which began in 1842 (64 years after the first fleet arrived in Sydney Cove).

Brisbane then developed as an urban centre linked by rail to the north of the state and by sea to Sydney and to London. The locals tired of being administered from Sydney and held a meeting in 1851 to discuss separation from New South Wales. Queen Victoria approved this in 1859, establishing “a new colony of Queensland”, with its own constitution, elected parliament and governor.

Queensland is a vast state covering 1.7 million square kilometers, twice the size of Texas. Over half of the state is above the Tropic of Capricorn. Its population is 4.2 million.

The driving psychological force behind Queenslanders’ attitude to NSW is that of the “younger sibling”. They see themselves as less hidebound and conservative than the southerners. There is a certain brashness to their approach. The Gold Coast in many ways epitomises this. Sydney siders, for their part, see this as crass and lacking in refinement and culture (what would they think in Melbourne?!).

Younger siblings usually test the strength of their older ones at some point, and the older one is usually only too happy to oblige. This is a matter of putting the younger one “in his place”. Behind this is an assumption that seniority confirms a certain “superiority” (in the pecking order).

As a rule, the feelings of the younger sibling are stronger in intensity, based as they are of having been put down, dominated and brow beaten for so many years.

It is no surprise then that since 1980, when the State of Origin series began, the rivalry has been so intense. Rugby League was a particular focus because it originated in Sydney, which became its power base in administrative and financial terms. Queenslanders witnessed a drain of footballing talent to Sydney, as a result of the financial rewards on offer there. This made the “Origin” series a natural draw-card, giving a medium for the playing out of these old animosities.

Some insights into this psychology can be gained from reading the press in the weeks prior to these epic clashes. The Queenslanders are traditionally low key. They are usually careful not to give the New South Wales people too much “ammunition” which can be used to motivate them. Their intense determination comes from the burning desire to put “big brother” in his place. This, in part, explains their extraordinary ability to win games from seemingly impossible situations. The intensity of this emotion is such that it is clearly felt by everyone in the team.

The”older brother” (New South Wales) comes from a different position psychologically. He has more of a sense of entitlement about him based on his seniority. In some ways New South Wales often has “50 cents both ways”, by mentally preparing to lose. The thinking goes; “The young bloke wants it more. It means more to him than it does to me anyway”. This is not the emotion likely to bind teams together when it counts. I am not suggesting that teams aren’t well coached and prepared for battle. The overall closeness of the series for 30 years supports this.

However, in my opinion, the powerful psychological advantage Queensland carries will tend to prevail in very tight contests. There are some obvious “counters” to this state of affairs, but that can wait. Meanwhile, I eagerly await the annual “family drama”.

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