Richie Barnett: Kiwis Origin series would pack a punch

A classic State of Origin moment in Sydney in 1991 when Maroons captain Wally Lewis confronted NSW's Mark Geyer.

NZRL must work with the NRL to bring about footy clash against Pacific nations that would rival Maroons v Blues.

I love State of Origin.

I've loved it ever since Wally Lewis' stoush with Mark Geyer in 1991 and, while I don't condone violence, this sums up the passion and intensity of Origin.

It's something we can recreate in New Zealand with a State of Origin match involving the Kiwis. I realise it's a concept that's been talked about before - notably a North v South game - but I'm convinced it can work if it's done properly.

I was lucky enough to play in the 1997 series, when New Zealand were included in a State of Origin tri series, and it was special. We felt a part of the series and played like it and we would have made the final against NSW if not for a poor refereeing decision when a legitimate try to Sean Hoppe was scrubbed out.

Every player bought into the concept and lifted his game. There's no reason something similar can't be created now.

I think a game between the Kiwis and a combined Pacific Island team would work.

It's probably best as a one-off game, certainly initially, and could be played either in Auckland or as a curtain-raiser to an Origin game.

A match in Auckland appeals, given the huge Pacific population, and could become an annual fixture. Culture is very important to Island players and I realise it might be difficult to bring them all together in one team, but playing for one's culture should be an important motivation. It's certainly something worth exploring.

It would be essential to create a strong emotional attachment if it's going to work, because it's critical to the success of Origin in Australia.

The onus is on the New Zealand Rugby League, in conjunction with the NRL, to make this work. To me, things happen if the NRL are committed to it. If they signed it off, clubs would have to buy into it.

But the impetus needs to come from the NZRL. I see lots of work being done on their strategic direction over the next five years but very little emphasis on development.

An Origin series involving the Kiwis would be good for the international game. One of the reasons Australia are so dominant is because of combinations built through Origin - we only have to look at the Queensland spine - and the only way international rugby league will be taken more seriously is if the Kiwis and other international sides beat the Kangaroos more often. Only then will the international game grow and clubs and fans become more engaged.

Not only will an Origin concept help the Kiwis, but it will help build the culture of the team. It's something the current New Zealand management are emphasising in the wake of last year's World Cup.

A lot of the energy and passion around playing for your country dissipated and that concerned us. It should be about putting the jersey above everything else and being desperate to perform for your country.