By Patrick Avenell

Blue shirts south of the Tweed, Maroon scarves up north and varying degrees of interest in the other four states and two territories of Australia as the nation braces itself for Game One of the 2013 State of Origin series.

Over the past 33 years, State of Origin has grown to become Australia’s version of the Super Bowl and it is now the biggest prize in Australian sport.

After many years as the principal and naming rights sponsor, Harvey Norman has withdrawn its association. Because of Harvey Norman’s departure, partnership partner FujiFilm is also no longer a sponsor.

Game One of the series is being played at ANZ Stadium in Sydney with kickoff at 8pm local time.

Channel Nine and affiliates will be showing the match in SD on its main channel in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia the Northern Territory (SA and NT kick off at 7:30pm) and the Australian Capital Territory.

Somewhat counterintuitively, Western Australia is the only state receiving live coverage of the match in HD, on Channel Nine’s GEM multichannel. Kick off in the west is at 6pm.

Game One’s free PR goes to Logitech Australia. State of Origin can split many households and communities right down the middle. Take Bowraville, for example, which is located 374 kilometres south of the Queensland/New South Wales border. One assumes this town will be divided between supporting New South Wales, the state where it is, and Queensland, the state hometown hero Greg Inglis plays for.

Creating harmony between these households and towns is much like creating harmony between ones audio visual devices. That’s a job for the Logitech Harmony Touch universal remote (RRP $249):

“The sculpted, ergonomic shape and streamlined button layout is a study in form and function. Cradle the gentle curve in the palm of your hand and you’ll see what we mean. An added benefit: the sleek and minimalist design enhances the look of any living space. It’s as easy on the eyes as it is to use,” said a Logitech spokes-website.

Patrick’s Tips:

New South Wales by 4 points
First Try: Brett Morris
Man of the Match: Greg Bird