NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell has proven that when it comes to State of Origin it’s easy to get your knickers in a twist – describing the annual rugby league clash as a battle between “Queensland and Newcastle”.
Origin I was held on neutral territory last night with a large crowd watching the Maroons down NSW 18-10 in an incident-packed game at Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium.
In the lead-up to the game, Victorian sports minister Hugh Delahunty invited ridicule by calling NSW’s captain Paul Gallen “Paul Callen”.
He also described the “State of The Origin” clash as “Queensland versus New Zealand”.
But while Mr Delahunty could be forgiven for such a slip because Victoria doesn’t field an Origin team, NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell has no such excuse.
“I still say it’s ridiculous, it’s stupid, it’s unviable to have a Queensland-Newcastle State of Origin match in Melbourne,” he told reporters in Sydney today.
Mr O’Farrell made the comments as he sarcastically attacked the decision to stage Origin I in Victoria.
“Fantastic that (Victorian Premier) Ted Baillieu has given us a haircut in people that flew to his city, who jumped in his cabs, who jumped in his hotels, who spent money in his restaurants and shops,” he added.
“But I want that money in NSW and (Queensland Premier) Campbell Newman wants it in Queensland.”
Mr O’Farrell acknowledged his error as he wrapped up the press conference, asking a reporter “did I do a Delahunty?”