NRL’S KIWI ORIGIN COUP
The NRL’s $100 million showpiece – State of Origin – is heading to New Zealand in 2027 in a history-making moment for the sport.
Sport Confidential can reveal the NRL is in the final stages of negotiations with New Zealand authorities for Origin to be played for the first time on Kiwi soil.
The parties held another round of high-powered talks over the past week.
Only an unlikely 11th-hour collapse in negotiations will stop Origin being played overseas for the first time in 40 years.
A formal announcement is expected in the weeks after the NRL grand final.
NSW and Queensland last played offshore in 1987 with an exhibition game at California – won 30-18 by the Blues – but the New Zealand venture will witness a fully-fledged Origin game.
State of Origin could be played in New Zealand in 2027. Picture: Getty Images
State of Origin could be played in New Zealand in 2027. Picture: Getty Images
The New Zealand government has committed $70 million in a bid to bring more sporting events to the nation and they specifically want more rugby league content across the ditch.
The financial injection will ensure Origin goes to New Zealand, with Auckland tourism bosses prepared to pay an estimated $5m for a NSW-Queensland blockbuster.
The ARL Commission has backed the concept and is supporting NRL CEO Andrew Abdo in his negotiations with NZ chiefs.
Melbourne will host an Origin game next year but the neutral venue remains vacant for the 2027 series.
The parties have discussed Auckland’s Eden Park as the venue to host Game Two of the 2027 Origin series.
One final sticking point is the appropriate kick-off time to satisfy exclusive TV rights holders Channel 9.
Channel 9 prefers an 8pm kick-off time, which is 10pm in New Zealand, but the NRL is considering a 9.30pm start (7.30pm in NSW and Queensland) if the broadcaster agrees to the deal.