State of Origin 2027 in New Zealand hailed as a boost for rugby league by Kiwi great
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. It's a significant step for the sport, as negotiations between the league and the New Zealand government have secured Auckland's Eden Park as the host venue for one game in the 2027 series.
This match will be a historic moment, as it marks the first time an Origin fixture will be played in New Zealand and the first overseas match since an exhibition game in Long Beach, California, in 1987. While New Zealand did host one match of a Super League Tri-Series in 1997, it didn't count as an official Origin fixture.
Freeman, a former player with an impressive 46 Test caps, believes this move will be a game-changer for rugby league in New Zealand. "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," he told AAP. "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. I don't know that the Aussies will be able to get a ticket."
The inclusion of New Zealand in the State of Origin series is a result of the league's strategic planning. Since 2018, each series has featured one match in neutral venues outside of NSW and Queensland, except for the COVID-19-affected 2021 series held across Queensland. In 2023, the league allocated neutral games to Melbourne and Perth for the series through 2028, but the 2027 slot remained open.
Freeman argues that it was high time for New Zealand to be included, especially considering the sport's growth in the country. Rugby league has seen a boom in New Zealand since the Warriors' return from Australia, where they had to relocate during the pandemic. The Warriors had an impressive average crowd of 25,382 at their home games last season, selling out nine out of 11 matches in Auckland.
"If you look back to what the Warriors did for the game during COVID, this [Origin in New Zealand] should have happened earlier," said Freeman, the first Kiwi player to win the Dally M Medal. "I took clients to games last year and the atmosphere was unbelievable. It has a State of Origin atmosphere already, so I can't wait for the Kiwis to fill the stadium."
The landmark Origin match comes at an exciting time for the sport, as the NRL is considering expanding to New Zealand with a potential 20th team in the future. The NRL received bids from New Zealand's South Island in 2024, but none were successful. However, Kiwi players Jamayne Isaako and Jordan Riki have previously supported the idea of a second NZ team.
Freeman believes the benefits of playing Origin in New Zealand will extend to the grassroots level. "Origin is a key to get more kids to play footy over there and they get to see it live and don't have to stay up until midnight to watch it," he said. "The Warriors and Kiwis have given it another boost, and Origin will take it to the next level."
The neutral venues for the 2026 and 2028 Origin series are Melbourne's MCG and Perth Stadium, respectively.
