NZ to have its own Origin
By Peter Badel
November 14, 2004
NEW Zealand have hatched plans for a Kiwi-style State of Origin series - and it will be a reality next season if given the green light by the NRL.
NZRL officials are set to table the proposal to NRL chief executive David Gallop, who will arrive in England next week for an international board meeting before the Tri-Nations final on November 27.
The Kiwi Origin concept, the brainchild of New Zealand coach Daniel Anderson, is a virtual replica of the Australian version.
So convinced is Anderson of the series' promise, he has tinkered with potential squads, captains and coaches.
But despite the plan receiving the backing of Kiwi stars Ruben Wiki and Stephen Kearney - earmarked as rival skippers for an inaugural showdown in 2005 - there are fears NRL clubs could scuttle the series by refusing to release their big-name Kiwis.
"This can be enormous, a huge attraction, but the concept will involve NRL players and we may get some opposition from NRL clubs," Anderson told The Sunday Telegraph from the Kiwis' base in England.
"But if it's good enough for clubs to release Aussies for State of Origin, it should be good enough for us."
Gallop, who believes the idea has merit, has not been approached by the NZRL.
"I actually think it's not a bad concept," Gallop said. "My concern is the impact on clubs and particularly the Warriors (who would supply the most Kiwis)."
Under the plan, devised by Anderson two months ago, Auckland-born players would represent the North Island against a South side effectively comprising the rest of New Zealand.
Two games are proposed, with Ericsson Stadium, home of the Warriors, favoured to be the northern side's venue, while Wellington's Westpac Stadium is likely to be the southern side's home ground.
The games would be played in late May or June, when Australia's elite are involved in State of Origin.
Former Queensland and New Zealand mentor Graham Lowe is keen to coach North, with Wiki as captain. South would be led by Kearney, under the stewardship of former Kiwi coach Frank Endacott.
Anderson is adamant the series would match the passion and ferocity of Origin.
"There would be no holding back," the former Warriors coach said. "If you showcased the best Kiwi players, you'd fill any stadium in New Zealand.
"Kiwi players need greater exposure to the coalface of a contest like State of Origin."
NZRL officials also view the concept as a potential carrot for rising Kiwi stars who are at risk of renouncing their ties as they chase Origin and Australian jumpers.
This year, New Zealand-born Broncos sensation Karmichael Hunt turned his back on the Kiwis, claiming he wanted to play for Queensland with a view to representing the Kangaroos.
"I've spoken to Ruben (Wiki), Alex Chan, David Kidwell and the Cayless brothers (Nathan and Jason) and they think it [north v south] is a sensational idea," NZRL deputy chairman Sel Bennett said.
"The hatred would be there. People from the south feel the Aucklanders have an air of superiority and they would love to cut them down."
The Sunday Telegraph
