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Staunch Queensland icon Alex Evans believes a State of Origin rugby stoush is the only way to rekindle the public's faith in Reds rugby following the shock exit of Berrick Barnes.
The hardman, once tagged the "Grizzled of Oz", may be 70 but he's prepared to shelve traditionalist views to create a flagship 2010 match in desperate times.
"I'm talking a one-off game uniting all of Queensland's home-grown talent in an Origin team against NSW Origin," Evans said.
"You'd pack Suncorp Stadium. We need to identify our great talent as 'Queensland' in one game to show the kids growing up here that it is something special.
"It's hard times so you need such a game to pep the faith of the public and junior coaches who have brought through the best schoolboy players in Australia for four years.
"(Australian rugby boss) John O'Neill is taking a Test to Japan to raise money. What about closer to home where Queensland rugby is struggling financially and needs this lift?
"And . . . I think Queensland would smash NSW on an Origin basis."
Interstate Origin ideas in rugby have been debunked before because there is no reward in it for the ACT Brumbies or Western Force to risk the likes of Queensland-bred David Pocock, James O'Connor, Rocky Elsom and Stephen Moore.
Perhaps, "Reds v The Rest" would give everyone a cut and help resuscitate a patient now in rugby's emergency ward.
Irate Reds followers have branded the Queensland Rugby Union a disgrace for losing Barnes.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...002381,00.html