NRL makes big appeal to State of Origin future as non-rugby league state win right to host showpiece for two more years
NRL makes big appeal to State of Origin future as non-rugby league state win right to host showpiece for two more years
- NRL powerbrokers aim to expand the reach of the code
- 60,000 fans expected at Interstate Origins
- Interstate teams on radar for NRL expansion
The NRL has announced that Perth will be the neutral venue for the 2025 and 2028 State of Origin series, a clear sign that the governing body is eager to expand the game to every corner of Australia.
The development follows on the heels of the Souths vs Cronulla and Knights vs Dragons double-header, which drew a stunning 48,000 to Optus Stadium in Western Australia’s capital on Saturday.
Earlier this year, the NRL announced that a neutral venue will be used each year in the three-match series.
The NSW Blues (pictured celebrating during game three of the 2023 Origin Series) have had a stellar run in games played in Western Australia
Queensland have never won an Origin game in Perth, but they now have at least two more chances to do something about it
Melbourne will host the neutral game in 2024 and 2026.
Past Origin games have performed strongly in Perth, with a crowd of 59,721 taking part in the city’s first NSW vs Queensland match in 2019, while 59,358 people attended in 2022.
The outstanding figures have led to calls for Perth to play host to the NRL’s 18th club when play subsequently expands.
“There is already strong support for Rugby League in Western Australia and our continued commitment to growing the game in areas beyond the Rugby League heartlands will ensure that even more people are drawn to the game through the greatest sporting rivalries in the country,” said Australian Rugby League Commissioner Kate Jones.
Embattled Blues coach Bred ‘Freddy’ Fittler, who has just been reappointed to lead NSW again next year, was pleased with the news.
“It is great support for Rugby League to secure the support of the WA Government to host Perth’s flagship game in 2025 and 2028 and a strong indication of the hunger for the game in the west,” said he.
And although it is a neutral venue, with the strong support of The Star Blatchys fans, the Blues are thrilled at the prospect of returning to Perth, where we have great memories of this ground, successfully debuting in Perth in 2019 and again in 2022.”
Fittler’s team beat Queensland 38-6 in 2019 and 44-12 three years later.
The magnificent Optus Stadium in Perth seats 60,000 fans and has been a happy hunting ground for the Blues, who have won both Origin matches held at the venue
Top-level rugby league goes back over three decades in Western Australia.
The Western Reds were founded in 1992 with Perth as their home ground as Australian Rugby League competition expanded.
They became the Perth Reds when they defected to Super League in 1997 as part of the war that split the code in two.
However, towards the end of that year, the team was closed as it became a victim of the peace agreement between the warring bodies.