NRL rules out stand-alone Origin

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THE battered and bruised players want the NRL shut down during State of Origin, but league boss Dave Smith has categorically ruled out a change to the controversial format.

Melbourne and NSW Blues forward Ryan Hoffman along with Storm and Queensland skipper Cameron Smith agree it is time to play the series as three stand-alone fixtures over three consecutive weeks.

Hoffman pointed to the big injury list from last week's Origin opener in Brisbane as proof of the increasing toll the series takes on its combatants.

Cameron Smith and Ryan Hoffman at the launch for State of Origin at the MCG. Source: News Corp Australia

The second-rower — who has played nine matches for the Blues — said it was only fair on the players and the clubs to stop the competition at this time of year.

"The NRL has gone to a new level this year and Origin has gone to a new stratosphere," Hoffman said.

"It's gotten even bigger and the build up is bigger, so is the game, which you could see by the amount of injuries the other night.

"I understand the hesitation about it (having stand-alone games), but I tell you what, it is so hard for these players.

"When the game is just getting harder and quicker and faster with bigger collisions, there has to be some give somewhere."

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But NRL chief executive Dave Smith a change to the format was not on his agenda.

"There are no plans whatsoever to consider putting the competition on hold," he said.

ORIGIN TO RETURN TO MCG NEXT YEAR

"I think the player welfare question is a fair one given it is a very significant competition.

"But I think the clubs do a very good job of managing player welfare if there is a game on the weekend.

"The format of Origin is incredibly successful and will continue to be successful."

NRL CEO Dave Smith has played down suggestions State of Origin could be a stand-alone series. Source: News Corp Australia

But that may not be the end of the matter.

On Monday Queensland captain Cameron Smith flagged the possibility of the players making a strong push for change.

"We have the option to do that with the players' association," the Test skipper said.

DEBATE: ORIGIN AT MCG WORTH THE RISK

"Given the amount of injuries on the weekend, maybe it is (time to push it).

"We have an important meeting coming up with the players' association, so I'm sure that will be addressed then."

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Hoffman said the Origin series was well and truly big enough to stand alone on its own.

"It's just my idea, but I'd be an advocate for stopping it for three weeks and run the Origin series over three consecutive weeks," Hoffman said.

"A lot of people have told me it was one of the most intense games they've ever seen and It certainly felt like that out there.

"It was such a fantastic spectacle and we should talking about that for a week.

"It's the pinnacle of rugby league, but unfortunately we have to play games on the weekend so it kind of gets pushed aside."

What do you think of the decision to take Origin to the MCG in 2015?

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