The two greats of Origin: Andrew Johns and Wally Lewis. The two greats of Origin: Andrew Johns and Wally Lewis.
Images: Channel Nine

Has Maroon legend Paul Vautin settled down over the years, or is he as excitable as ever come Origin time?

Paul is so passionate about Origin, it’s not funny. In fact, we’re all passionate about Origin, but the Queenslanders on our commentary team, you can see that glint in their eye, you can hear the excitement in their voice. And he typifies to this day how important it is to Queensland. He and people like Chris Close in particular typify more than anyone what I mean when I talk about the passion of Queensland.

Can you ever see the day when Origin is taken into international markets, like LA in 1987 and more recently the Bledisloe Cup in Japan?

No, I can’t. The fact is you can take a rugby match up to Japan, because, in part, they do understand rugby. It’s more of a global game than rugby league. You’d have to be stupid not to believe that. To take a game to Japan in their code is not stupid. I think you’re possibly repeating the vision that Super League had. In fact, that was their vision. They were the words of John Ribot: “We’ll take the game to the world.” We haven’t quite taken it to the world. It’s played a little bit in England, it’s played in New Zealand …

Will New Zealand and English reps ever be allowed in on the Origin action?

It’s called State Of Origin. It’s built around this hatred, or friendly rivalry, between NSW and Queensland, but it is a shame that people like Benji Marshall, who went to Keebra Park High School in Brisbane, can’t be involved. Some people believe that “origin” means where you’re born, others believe it’s where you played your first junior football … that would then qualify Benji. And I still think Benji should be able to play for New Zealand and maybe still play for the state where he played his first junior football.

I suppose I’m trying to open up a little crack that lets those players in. There’s others. Blokes like Nathan Cayless, another New Zealander, come to mind.

Do you have a favourite Origin try that sticks in your memory?

The two outstanding Origin tries over the years have been Mark Coyne’s in ’94 and Billy Slater’s in ’04. Coyne was on the end of 10 or 11 passes. It was just incredible. I think the call says “that’s a miracle”. There’s a scream in the background, that’s Fatty. It wins. Slater’s try, with the kick, re-gather, then kick again in ’04 is next best. Greg Dowling caught a rebound off the crossbar at the SCG in mud up to his shoulders in ’84. It wasn’t a spectacular try, but it was certainly freakish.