Rugby League Coaching Manuals

Dan Koch, The Australian - Queensland Rugby League boss Ross Livermore insists NSW's failure to sell out State of Origin matches in Sydney should see the state bear the brunt of any further commitment to move games to Melbourne. Blues coach Craig Bellamy reiterated his call for Origin matches to be played in Victoria on an annual basis, as news filtered through that the series opener at Etihad Stadium would be viewed by a capacity crowd of around 52,000.

Speaking at the final public appearance by the two sides in the city's Federation Square, Bellamy said the growth of the sport on Australia's eastern seaboard demanded the Melbourne sporting public be part of the game's biggest showpiece every year. "One thing about Melbourne sport is they're very passionate and very parochial," Bellamy said.

"They should bring a game down here every year actually. Play one in Sydney, one in Brisbane and have one in neutral territory ... If they did that we'd be playing at the cricket ground (MCG) and perhaps getting 80,000 or 90,000."

Under the current contractual agreement Melbourne will not host another State of Origin match before 2013, though the ARL is discussing possible changes to the schedule.

However, Livermore said it would be unfair to rob Queensland of matches while NSW failed to fill its ground: "If anyone is to lose games, it should come from Sydney. They don't sell out the games down there."