State of Origin winning coach Sir Graham Lowe says Auckland has secured the “jewel in the crown of Australian sport” with confirmation Eden Park will host a game next year, but says Kiwis must turn up and support the event.
The Government today announced a State of Origin fixture inNew Zealand for the first time after three years of high-level talks with the NRL and the Australian Rugby League Commission.
Hosting the traditional Queensland-New South Wales encounter is expected to attract over 10,000 Australian tourists and inject an estimated $17.4 million into the economy, said Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston.
Lowe will forever be linked to Queensland after becoming the first foreign coach to win a State of Origin series in 1991. He told Ryan Bridge TODAY it was a privilege to host the event and New Zealanders needed to turn up to support it.
“We’ve had a lot of exciting events at Eden Park over the years but nothing will match what State of Origin delivers. Even though this is an Australian thing, it’s very, very special. It’s world-class, it’s unique from what it actually does and has delivered since 1980.
“State of Origin is the jewel in the crown of Australian sport.
“The buzz, as it gets closer, will build up. We’ve got to turn up and be there. This is a privilege to have this game here and I actually never thought it would happen ... this is something we have to grasp and show that we can do it over here as well – because it could lead to all sorts of things.”
Dates and ticket details for the State of Origin fixture will be confirmed by the NRL later in the year.
