'Playing for a whole state': Origin decider bigger than a grand final for Blues stars

Members of Penrith’s four consecutive grand final winning teams admit Wednesday night’s Origin decider at Accor Stadium is set to be bigger than any of their premiership triumphs.

Isaah Yeo, Nathan Cleary, Brian To’o, Liam Martin, Dylan Edwards and Jarome Luai played in all four of the Panthers grand final wins, while Stephen Crichton and Spencer Leniu were part of the 2021, 2022 and 2023 premiership triumphs.

However, none of the eight Westpac NSW Blues stars have played in an Origin series decider in Sydney and are looking forward to playing before a parochial 85,000 crowd. 

“Origin is like the greatest sporting event in the world, I reckon. It’s state versus state and it is just so intense, there is no game like it,” Martin said.

“I remember last year running out in Game I last year at Accor Stadium, it was packed out and it was just an incredible feeling, so I can’t imagine what a decider is going to be like.”

Luai, who has reunited with Cleary at the Blues scrumbase after joining Wests Tigers this season, said the rivalry between NSW and Queensland sets Origin apart from the NRL premiership.

“The rivalry is a lot stronger than between any two teams in the NRL so it’s the audience you are playing for and the support you receive,” Luai said.

Obviously, you are playing for a lot more people, and you are playing for their pride, for their upbringing and for their childhood, so that is massive.

“Obviously, you are playing for a lot more people, and you are playing for their pride, for their upbringing and for their childhood, so that is massive.”

NSW has won just two Origin deciders at Accor Stadium, in 2004 and 2019, with Queensland winning in 2008 and 2013, while they drew in 2002, only for the Maroons to retain the Shield as winners of the previous series. 

Crichton said the players in Origin III don't know if they will get another opportunity to win a series decider before a home crowd

"Obviously it is all of our first times here at home," Crichton said. "It is going to be very special. I have played at Accor a number of times but Origin is different." 

To’o added: “Just the atmosphere and the build-up to the match against a quality side has a grand final feel to it. I think it’s pretty cool that we get to have the decider at home, and we should have a fair bit of support.”

The Blues created history to win last year’s decider at Suncorp Stadium after overcoming a loss in the series opener at Accor Stadium before rebounding in Origin II at the MCG.