State of Origin 2015: Time, TV schedule and how to watch the series online

The State of Origin is more than just a rugby game, or even an All-Star rugby game -- it’s the best All-Star game in all of sports. The “why you should care” in this scenario is simple: you will care, like it or not. After 10 minutes you’ll be caught up in the passion and drama of the game, you’ll have picked a side and after the first half you will hate the opposition. Every sports fan loves to see players put it all on the line, and for three special games you’ll see some of the world’s best athletes destroy themselves. Not for your amusement, but for their state’s honor.

Players are divided up by where they came from, not where they play professionally now. Teammates battle teammates, bitter rivals are forced to lean on each other -- and because these players are representing their home states, they’re seriously invested in what they’re doing.

This isn’t an occasion where you’ll watch a sport you know little about and be let down. It’s the purest distillation of everything you want rugby to be. It’s fast, violent, athletic, violent, hard-hitting, violent and it also tends to be really violent.

New South Wales captured the State of Origin in 2014 to bring the shield back to Sydney, and now Queensland is looking to get back on top. The Maroons had a eight-year streak snapped by the Blues last year, and now they want revenge. Queensland is favored in early prognostication, but the three-game multi-month spectacle is never predictable.

Both teams are sponsored by opposing beer companies. It will be flowing in the stands and coursing through the veins of thousands of screaming blood-hungry Australians. Mad Max is not a real thing in Australia (yet), but the State of Origin comes pretty dang close.

Game time: Wednesday, May 27, 6 a.m. ET

Streaming: Fox Soccer 2 Go will begin their live coverage at 5:50 a.m. ET

TV: Fox Soccer Plus will broadcast a replay at 11 a.m. ET