LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Kiwi rugby league legend Gary Freeman has praised the NRL's significant decision to host a State of Origin match in New Zealand, calling it "sensational."
Reports indicate that the NRL has successfully negotiated with the New Zealand government for Auckland's Eden Park to host one game of the 2027 State of Origin series.
This match, which will take place in a 50,000-seat venue, marks the first official Origin game in New Zealand and the first held overseas since an exhibition match in Long Beach, California, back in 1987.
New Zealand did host a game during the Super League Tri-Series in 1997, featuring the Kiwis, Queensland, and New South Wales, but that instance is not considered an official Origin match.
Freeman, who played an impressive 46 Tests for New Zealand, described bringing Origin to New Zealand as a "sensational" opportunity for the growth of rugby league, which has seen a surge in popularity in recent years.
"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," expressed the former halfback in an interview with AAP.
He added, "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. Quote me on that."
Since 2018, each Origin series has included a match outside NSW or Queensland, except for the COVID-affected 2021 series held entirely in Queensland.