Beer Wars: VB Blues versus the XXXX Maroons in the State of Origin

The cane toads versus the cockroaches in the annual Rugby League trilogy of grudge matches carries particular, brewed flavors this year.

The New South Wales Blues’ jerseys are sponsored by Victoria Bitter -- the championed drink of Melbournites. The sky blue jersey is now emblazoned with VB's red and green beer logo. Does this suggest a New South Wales-Victoria alliance?

The Queensland jersey, as always, is sponsored by XXXX Bitter. “Queenslanders don’t give a XXXX for anything else.” Do the four Xs represent the other four states of Australia throwing their weight behind the Maroons?

In any event, it is a match that divides a nation. The three-match series is arguably the biggest annual sporting event in both Sydney and Brisbane.

This Wednesday, 26 players will throw themselves at each other for 80 minutes in the second match in front of more than 80,000 people at Sydney’s ANZ (Olympic) Stadium. Surely they will share a drink after the match.

Many more will watch on TV, downing their favorite (and team’s) beverage.

The State of Origin has become The Beer Wars.

But in what has historically been a tight contest since its inception in 1980 -- players play for their state of origin, rather than where they live -- has been dominated by the XXXX Maroons over the last five seasons.

The XXXX Maroons took out the first match against the relatively inexperience VB Blues, scoring a try in the final minutes.

Ugly scenes erupted after the final siren when a brawl broke out. Mate against mate, state against state. A game of passion.

A victory in this match will see them take the series for the sixth consecutive year. Can the injury-plagued VB Blues bounce back against the XXXX Maroons and equalize the State of Origin?

Beer is sure to be the winner.

Ed note: The Blues triumphed 18-8 in Origin II. Origin III is played at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium at 8 p.m. on Wednesday June 6 to decide the 3-match series.