Why taking State of Origin to Eden Park or Wembley makes sense
The NRL wants to take the game’s showpiece event, State of Origin, abroad for only the second time in history.
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The NRL is considering taking a State of Origin match to Eden Park in New Zealand.
According to the Off the Record podcast, hosted by The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield and The Australian’s Andrew Webster, the NRL wants to take the interstate series abroad for only the second time in history.
An exhibition match was held in Los Angeles in 1987 when only 12,000 people turned up to watch NSW beat Queensland 30-18 at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Long Beach.
With rugby league thriving in New Zealand off the back of the Warriors’ resurgence in recent years under coach Andrew Webster, the NRL sees considerable value in playing an Origin in Auckland.
The logical venue would be Eden Park, which has hosted rugby league internationals and the Auckland Nines from 2014 to 2017.
“I’m told there’s serious consideration from the ARL Commission and [NRL chief executive] Andrew Abdo about taking State of Origin to New Zealand,” Rothfield said. “Playing to a mass audience over there, in a rugby union country, is a smart move.
We take a game every three years to Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide … why not go across the Tasman?”
There are logistic issues, of course. The concept would need the backing of broadcasters Channel 9.
“The time difference is an issue,” Rothfield said. “There’s talk about playing it at 8pm in New Zealand so it can be played at 6pm here, probably on a Sunday. That’s the only stopper on it: the time difference. You can’t have it at 10.30pm in New Zealand to have it in prime time here. It just wouldn’t work.
“But tickets would go in five minutes. Rugby league has taken off so much over there that it’s become a real concern to rugby union and the All Blacks. There’s an opportunity there for rugby league to become the No.1 sport in NZ.”
Webster argued that the NRL should investigate the possibility of playing an Origin at the 90,000-seat Wembley Stadium in London — and that Warrington owner and music promoter Simon Moran should be the first person to call.
“If he can get Oasis back together, he can organise an Origin at Wembley in his lunch break,” Webster said. “I’ve spoken to English reporters over there, they reckon an Origin in Wembley would sell out for sure.
“With the NRL eyeing off a possible stake in the UK Super League, it would be a no-brainer. And it would help the game enormously over there.”
# Listen to Off The Record with Buzz and Webby on Spotify, Apple podcasts, YouTube or wherever you listen to your podcasts.
Originally published as Why taking State of Origin to Eden Park or Wembley makes sense
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