Wigging out: Inside the Blatchys Blues phenomenon

Author: Wayne Cousins NRL.com reporter
Timestamp: Mon 18 May 2026, 05:01 PM

Blatchys Blues is more than just about being loud and proud to wear a colourful, fun wig on Origin night.

It’s about showing your true passion for your beloved state of NSW and forming an unexpected brotherhood for three wonderful nights on the rugby league calendar.

Yes, that’s right. The stranger next to you, all decked out in their NSW gear and wearing the much-loved blue wig, is suddenly your new best friend.

Forget that they may follow an NRL club that you despise! That’s gone for the next few hours.

You are united. This is Origin, the best of the best. Your hatred is directed at only one thing. The men in maroon, those dreaded ‘Queenslanders’.

Even if a bloke spills a beer on you in excitement as the mighty Blues run out, you dismiss it instantly.

“Don’t worry, brother. It was an accident. Let’s just smash these cane toads”.

It’s what Blatchys Blues is about.

Blatchys Blues out in force for Game Three in 2023 when NSW saluted 24-10 at Accor Stadium. ©Gregg Porteous

And just wait until the Blues score a try. There’s move high fives than an NBA game.

Together, you all chant “Blues, Blues, Blues’’ with your new pal.

And should the tryscorer be from the club that you despise, he is now one of your favourite players. It’s a funny thing, Origin.

As for full-time, well, that’s just electric. NSW gets up, and you’re in party mode. Suddenly, you’re joyfully hugging as many strangers in blue as you can find.

Then, the chants of “NSW, NSW, NSW’ echo around your seats, which are already half taken from Blues fans standing on them in sheer excitement.

Sea of Blue: Game Two, 2018 in Sydney proved a triumph for NSW in front of 82,223 fans. ©Photosport

And if you happen to be down the front, well, stand by a rush of Blues fans wanting to get pole position for a selfie with any NSW player that wants to celebrate with you.

It’s been that way since Blatchys Blues was founded in 1999 by Dan Blatch, a financial planner from Sydney, who along with some mates, decided to wear plenty of blue to an Origin game in 1999 for his 18th birthday.

Together with business partner Daniel Zammitt, they grew the Blatchys Blues into what has now become one of the most famous sporting brands across the globe.

They even set a Guiness World Record for the most people wearing wigs in a single venue when 12,083 fans donned their blue wigs at the second Origin match at Homebush in 2012.

Two years later, the NSWRL purchased the Blatchys Blues with the supporters' group now officially sponsored by Westpac.

Jake Trbojevic, who last captained NSW to an Origin series win in 2024, could not speak highly enough of the Blatchys Blues.

Jake Trbojevic and the Blues hit a 'home run' in the 2024 Origin decider thanks to the passionate support of their fans.

“It’s pretty cool to see the incredible support you get as a player when you run out to a sea of blue on Origin night,’’ Trbojevic said.

“The Blatchys Blues are so passionate. To see so many fans who support different NRL teams come together as one to cheer for NSW certainly lifts you.

You can hear their chants throughout the game. It’s just unreal
Jake Trbojevic

“When we won the series, it was just mayhem in the Blatchys Blues area. We wanted to celebrate the moment with them, so being swamped for photos and to show them the Origin trophy is something I will always remember fondly.

“If anyone has been thinking about trying Blatchys Blues out and putting on the blue wig, then just do it. You will have a great night with the Blues Army.”

Footnote: The author has sat twice in Blatchys Blues seats in Brisbane and Sydney and wore the blue wig. Being a Manly man, he was warmly received too, instead of being booed. That’s Origin!