Polite interest would usually extend to knowing who is playing and the names of the team captains.
Especially if you’re the Sports Minister of the State who are hosting the game.
Victorian Sport Minister cannot wait for special game between Queensland and … New Zealand
From Melbourne’s The Age newspaper:
It’s rugby league’s showpiece, and high-ranked Victorians have made no secret that they want more of it. Yet how much do they know about State of Origin?
Well, if you rely on the Victorian Minister for Sport and Recreation, Hugh Delahunty, possibly not much – unless, of course, you’re talking about “State of the Origin”.
Delahunty was guest at this morning’s media conference before Wednesday night’s game one at Etihad Stadium, and managed a few unfortunate mistakes during his speech.
Victorian Minister for Sport, Hugh Delahunty, holds the “State of the Origin” shield with Sam Thaiday and “Paul Callen”. Photo: Justin McManus
First, he referred to NSW captain Paul Gallen, who was in attendance along with Blues coach Ricky Stuart and his Queensland counterpart Mal Meninga and second-rower Sam Thaiday, as “Paul Callen”.
And then this. “All rugby league supporters here today, it’s fantastic as Minister of Sport to welcome here to this very special game, the first game of the Queensland versus New Zealand … New Zealand, that’s a good start … Queensland versus New South Wales in the State of the Origin match.”
Delahunty, though, maintained his government was passionate about the contest.
Well at least he knew the essential information.
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