Why condensing of State of Origin schedule would damage quality of showpiece event: Ben Ikin

The NRL has been warned of the perils of a reduced State of Origin season amid a high-level push for a shake-up of Blues and Maroons camps.

Daly Cherry-Evans and the Maroons celebrate after winning the 2023 series 2-1. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Queensland Rugby League boss Ben Ikin has warned the NRL of the perils of a reduced State of Origin season amid a high-level push for a shake-up of Blues and Maroons camps.

The QRL received a boost ahead of the 2024 Origin series after striking a commercial deal with Westpac, who have agreed terms as major jersey sponsors as the men’s Maroons side look to defend their crown next season.

The banking giant is taking over the State of Origin arena, with Westpac having sponsored the Blues this season, while also coming on board as a shoulder jersey sponsor for Queensland’s women’s team in 2024.

The code’s $100 million showpiece event could take on a new look in more ways than one next season, with the NRL exploring a proposal to reduce State of Origin camps from 10 days to seven.

There is also a push from NRL club chief executives to cut the Origin period from six weeks to four amid fears the interstate calendar is too long and has potential burnout ramifications for the code’s elite stars.

But Ikin, who played 17 Origin matches for Queensland, believes a shortened interstate campaign could damage the quality of Maroons-Blues contests.

Daly Cherry-Evans and the Maroons celebrate after winning the 2023 series 2-1. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

“We have to be very careful around condensing the schedule,” he said.

“I understand why clubs want to do it and we’ve had discussions with the state leagues and clubs about our requirements.

“At the end of the day, there are several things to consider.

“One is the quality of the product and, two, having the series drawn out the way they do allows whoever is paying for the product a longer period of time to promote State of Origin.

“I’m sure Peter V’landys (ARL Commission boss) will work his way through it with all the stakeholders and come out the other side with a good decision.”

Ikin welcomed the backing of Westpac, who will feature as front-of-jersey sponsors for both sides next season as Queensland chase an Origin ‘Three-Peat’ over the Blues.

“Westpac sees it as a way to connect with Queenslanders and New South Welshmen,” Ikin said.

“It’s fantastic to see they are prepared to invest at the level they are with State of Origin.

“Community rugby league participation numbers are up, we’ve witnessed another enthralling finals series in our statewide competitions, and our Queensland Maroons are building something special following series wins in the men’s and women’s Origins.”

There have been calls for the NRL to suspend the Telstra Premiership for a month to clear the decks for State of Origin, but Ikin is not convinced a four-week interstate series, featuring shorter camps, is the dream solution.

Blues players celebrate an Origin win. Picture: AAP/Dan Himbrechts

“This thing has been pulled apart and put back together a million different ways and no-one has found the perfect solution to solve everyone’s problems,” he said.

“What you want from the Origin schedule will be wholly dependent on which stakeholder you represent.

“Broadcasters want something, state leagues want something, clubs want something, the NRL wants something ... there’s a lot of competing interests.

“We still don’t know what the length of the camps will be.

“The NRL is pushing for seven day camps, the state leagues and clubs have been in conversation about the length of camps and ideally, the longer you have the players, the better prepared you think they are going to be.

“At the moment, there hasn’t been agreement on the length of camps.

“Origin matches are fairly savage games and to think you can bring a whole heap of disparate individuals together and play the brutal form of the game that Origin is, recover in seven days, review the last game, then prep for the next one in a week, it’s a big ask.

“I’m not saying it can’t be done in four weeks but there is a risk.”

Originally published as Why condensing of State of Origin schedule would damage quality of showpiece event: Ben Ikin