The NRL’s reported landmark move to host a State of Origin match in New Zealand has been hailed as “sensational” by Kiwi legend Gary Freeman.<\/p>\n
It is understood negotiations between the league and the New Zealand government have culminated in Auckland’s Eden Park earning hosting rights for one game of the 2027 series.<\/p>\n
The match at the 50,000-seat stadium will be the first Origin fixture in New Zealand, and the first overseas since an exhibition match in Long Beach, California, in 1987.<\/p>\n
New Zealand did host one match of a Super League Tri-Series that featured the Kiwis, Queensland and NSW in 1997, but Queensland’s win over the hosts that day is not considered an official Origin fixture.<\/p>\n
Freeman, who played an incredible 46 Tests, said Origin in New Zealand was a “sensational” shot in the arm for rugby league, which has boomed across the ditch in recent years.<\/p>\n
“New Zealand needs State of Origin and I am all for it. It will grow the game so much bigger from when us old blokes were playing,” the former halfback told AAP.<\/p>\n
“It will be a sell-out. I just wish we had a stadium that held 70,000 people because that’s what we could get.<\/p>\n
“I don’t know that the Aussies will be able to get a ticket. Quote me on that.”<\/p>\n
Since 2018, each Origin series has featured one match in neither NSW nor Queensland, bar the COVID-19-affected 2021 series held across Queensland.<\/p>\n
In 2023, the league allotted neutral Origin games to Melbourne and Perth for each series through 2028, but had left the 2027 slot blank.<\/p>\n