State of Origin: Blockbuster New Zealand plan to deliver record ratings, land blow in rugby war
The NRL has been urged to consider a bold suggestion that would make State of Origin ratings bigger than the Grand Final - and would land a telling blow in their war on rugby union.
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Wednesday night’s State of Origin should have been played in New Zealand and moved to a Sunday afternoon - a time slot that would have proven bigger than the NRL grand final.
That’s the bold suggestion of forward-thinking Warriors CEO Cameron George who has called on the NRL to realise the opportunity of playing an historic Origin match across the Tasman, which would “smash rugby union for six.’’
The scheduled 8.05pm (AEST) kick-off leaves rugby league fans in New Zealand battling a two-hour time difference with their 10.05pm start forcing them to stay up until midnight for the full-time whistle.
The Origin contest has been played throughout Australia and also internationally in 1987 in California, but never has a game been played in New Zealand.
In the midst of a stalled negotiations with the RLPA over the Collective Bargaining Agreement, George said there was never a more opportune time for the NRL to discuss adding an Origin match to the calendar, adding that the clash should be beamed back into Australia at 4pm on a Sunday afternoon.
“We have a really unique opportunity to plan forward and knock rugby union for six,’’ George told The Daily Telegraph.
“Looking at the way the NRL has gone to another level here, with huge crowds here for the Warriors, it’s incumbent on us to keep providing the best content.
“If we can get State of Origin, which is one of the greatest spectacles in the sport, here in New Zealand so it is played on Sunday afternoon for the Aussies back home, which would be 6pm here and 4pm in Australia, it would be bigger than the grand final.
“Imagine the pubs, clubs and mates and family gatherings watching Origin on a Sunday afternoon, which would then lead straight into the 6pm Channel Nine news.’’
‘NO BRAINER’: BENNETT’S CASE FOR NZ TO STAGE ORIGIN
By Peter Badel
Wayne Bennett has urged the NRL to take State of Origin to New Zealand and called for Auckland’s Eden Park to be a regular hosting venue of the code’s $100 million showpiece.
As revealed by this masthead, the ARL Commission is exploring plans for State of Origin to head overseas to New Zealand as part of the next scheduling cycle for the Queensland-NSW juggernaut.
The current interstate schedule is locked in until the end of 2026, with NRL hierarchy considering an Origin debut on New Zealand soil as early as 2027.
Bennett was among the pioneers of Origin’s historic first offshore game 40 years ago when, as Maroons coach, he travelled to America for a NSW-Queensland exhibition clash in Los Angeles in 1987.
A New Zealand Origin clash in 2027 would mark the 40th anniversary of the American odyssey and Bennett backed the NRL’s plan to send Queensland and NSW stars across the ditch.
“It’s a no-brainer to take Origin to New Zealand,” said Bennett, who coached Queensland in four stints between 1986-2020.
“There isn’t a Kiwi who doesn’t know about State of Origin.
“I remember talking to a bloke over there who said even the All Blacks players watch Origin and come to training and talk about the game.
“I wouldn’t take Origin back to America, I was part of the trip to LA in 1987, but I would go to New Zealand.
“The Kiwis are rugby league crazy, they have been great supporters of the NRL for decades and the Warriors have been in the competition for a long time.
“Origin captures the imagination like no other game, so I encourage the NRL to consider going to New Zealand.”
The NRL’s internal research shows rugby league is becoming a genuine threat to rugby union in a New Zealand nation besotted with the All Blacks.
The resurgence this season of the Warriors, who have returned home after two years in Australia due to Covid, has ignited interest, while the NRL Nines proved a smash hit during its four-year tenure at Eden Park from 2014-2017.
More than 200,000 Kiwis attended the opening four editions of the NRL Nines in Auckland and Bennett is adamant a State of Origin debut would easily fill the 50,000-capacity Eden Park.
The super coach believes New Zealand should be added to a four-region roster that would see Auckland, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth rotate Origin games as neutral venues annually.
“If you took Origin to Eden Park in Auckland, it would be a sellout,” Bennett said.
“The NRL Nines concept was fantastic in the first years at Eden Park, Dean Lonergan (NRL Nines creator) did a great job selling the Nines to the NRL and we could have even more success with State of Origin.
“Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne have all been successful and if we went to New Zealand, it could be even bigger and better.
“I like the neutral-venue arrangement. It’s fair for Queensland and NSW to have one home game each and then you have a neutral region for the other game each series.
“New Zealand, Adelaide, Perth and Melbourne would be my four markets and I would cycle an Origin game between them every four years.
“You would have to play the first or second game in Auckland, you wouldn’t have Game Three there in case it’s a dead rubber.
“But Origin is so huge and we should take it to overseas markets.”
ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys confirmed New Zealand is on the Origin agenda in what would be a landmark occasion for the code’s elite NSW and Queensland stars.
“New Zealand is absolutely a consideration for State of Origin,” V’landys said.
“At the moment, the Origin scheduling has already been locked in for the next three years, but we are ecstatic at the success of rugby league in New Zealand.
“The Warriors have been outstanding this season and naturally we want to keep that momentum going.
“A historic State of Origin match in New Zealand is definitely something we will consider.”
NRL’s mega-money plan to take Origin overseas
The ARL Commission has revealed plans to take rugby league’s $100 million showpiece, State of Origin, to New Zealand.
As the NRL prepares to launch the 2024 premiership in Las Vegas, ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys has unveiled the code’s next major offshore project – playing an historic Origin game in New Zealand.
NSW and Queensland stars could be crossing the ditch for an inaugural interstate game in Auckland as early as 2027 – which would mark the 40th anniversary of State of Origin’s first overseas venture to Los Angeles in 1987.
The ARL Commission has taken the gala event to new domestic markets in recent years, with Perth hosting State of Origin in 2019, while Adelaide celebrated their first Queensland-NSW fixture three years ago.
Now the ARLC wants to reward millions of Kiwi fans by exploring the prospect of State of Origin traversing the Tasman for a debut on New Zealand soil.
State of Origin’s current scheduling is in place for the next three years, but V’landys confirmed New Zealand is on the agenda in what would be a landmark occasion for the code’s elite NSW and Queensland stars.
“New Zealand is absolutely a consideration for State of Origin,” V’landys said.
“A historic State of Origin match in New Zealand is definitely something we will consider.
“At the moment, the Origin scheduling has already been locked in for the next three years, but we are ecstatic at the success of rugby league in New Zealand.
“The Warriors have been outstanding this season and naturally we want to keep that momentum going.
“It’s certainly an option and we will be looking at New Zealand as another location for State of Origin.”
The NRL’s Origin schedule is open from 2027 onwards. NSW and Queensland will play neutral games in Melbourne in 2024 and 2026, while it is understood the NRL has a contracted location secured for 2025, most likely Perth or Adelaide.
New Zealand shapes as the perfect offshore destination for State of Origin’s further expansion.
The Auckland-based Warriors have been part of the Australian premiership since 1995 and the code had great success launching the NRL Nines tournament at Eden Park from 2014-17.
Former Canberra and Kiwi Test forward Dean Lonergan, the man who successfully pitched the Nines concept to NRL bosses, said the 50,000-capacity Eden Park is the ideal location for Origin’s debut in New Zealand.
“State of Origin in New Zealand would be massive,” Lonergan told this masthead from Auckland.
“Peter V’landys is a genius administrator. He has the gravitas and the business acumen to get a deal like Origin done in this country.
“The Kiwi public would go nuts for Origin.
“Historically, Origin is one of the highest-rating shows in New Zealand.
“We have been exposed to Origin since its inception and I have no doubt it would be a monster event, so long as you bring Game One or Two here and not Game Three in case it’s a dead rubber.
“Kiwis love going to world-class events and State of Origin is as big as it gets.
“I have no doubt it would sell out Eden Park and you could do it at premium prices.
“Origin has only gone overseas once in 40 years, so to see an inaugural Origin game in New Zealand would be very special for the NRL.”
One potential headache is working out the best kick-off time.
Auckland is two hours ahead of Sydney and Brisbane during non-daylight saving time, meaning a 9pm kick-off at Eden Park would represent a 7pm start for NSW and Queensland viewers.
The Greatest State of Origin Editions
“The one key factor is finding the right kick off time,” Lonergan said.
“They might have to kick off at 9pm or later, but given the uniqueness of it, Kiwi fans wouldn’t have an issue with a late start.
“The second consideration is money. The New Zealand government I’m sure would be open to supporting an Origin game.
“Eden Park is the biggest stadium in the country and I have no doubt you would fill every seat.
“The first few years of the NRL Nines at Eden Park were a massive success – we had 90,000 people turn up over two days for the first tournament in 2014.
“Most Kiwis tend to follow the Maroons, but I do think you would find Australian league fans would embrace coming to Auckland like they did for the NRL Nines.”
Canberra boss Don Furner, one of the code’s longest-serving CEOs, backed State of Origin going to New Zealand.
“Can you imagine an Origin game in New Zealand? The fans over there would go nuts,” he said.
“We went over there a few years ago for the NRL Nines and the first two years were really cool.
“The fans got right behind it, it was a real carnival atmosphere and I have no doubt it would be the same for Origin in New Zealand.
“If the NRL is looking at taking Origin to an overseas market, I think it would be a good thing.”
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The Greatest State of Origin Editions
Originally published as State of Origin: Blockbuster New Zealand plan to deliver record ratings, land blow in rugby war
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