Your Origin Series is a joke! That is the view of Bulls full back Michael Withers, just a day after 52,000 crammed into Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, to watch the Australian version of the clash.

The blues of New South Wales beat Queensland 25-12 in a typically bruising inter-state clash Down Under, the 22nd year of this hostile rivalry.

And with the Yorkshire versus Lancashire game, scheduled for July 2 at Odsal, expected to attract no more than 12,000 (last year's two matches attracted meagre crowds of 7,352 and 9,283), Withers believes the two events cannot even be compared.

"The Origin here in England just isn't even the same ball game," said the Australian, a representative of the New South Wales side at under-19 level in 1996.

"You can't compare the two for passion, build-up, intensity and interest.

"Over in Australia there is a genuine rivalry between the two states and you can get up to 70,000 people watching it - there were 50,000 in Brisbane for this one which is capacity. The build-up there in the press is massive for weeks beforehand, it is a real event. The streets empty for the game in both states, everyone is watching out - it is a really big deal."

The Origin series is viewed by many in Australia as bigger than international competition, such is their domination of the sport.

"It is a big event and people prepare for it properly," continued Withers, currently recovering from a groin strain.

"There are no matches the previous week and the lads are in camp for over a week together to prepare.

"Over here, there isn't time. You play at the weekend, then three days later you play Origin, and then you are back with your club a few days later - the fixture list is so crammed here that you can't really take it seriously."

A number of Withers' team-mates are likely to win selection to both Yorkshire and Lancashire sides for this year's clash, sandwiched between a home tie with St Helens and a trip to Wakefield for the Bulls.

And although Withers believes the Bulls will play with passion in the game, as will the other players, the intensity that was on display in Brisbane yesterday can never be matched, on or off the field.

"The rivalry over there is a lot more intense and a lot more genuine," continued Withers, who normally gets together with Antipodean team-mates to watch the three-match series.

"Fans from one side will get a rough time when they visit the other state's stadium, there is real rivalry and hostility. There is never any trouble, but you certainly feel uncomfortable going into their territory."

The squads for this year's English Origin will be announced on June 24.