Eden Park Officials To Resume Pursuit Of State Of Origin Following Auckland Nines' Success

Officials of Aukland's Eden Park are "ready to resume their pursuit of State of Origin following the runaway success of the Auckland Nines," according to Brent Read of THE AUSTRALIAN. Eden Park CEO David Kennedy retains a "long-standing interest in bringing an Origin game to Auckland" and said Monday that he "hoped to capitalise on the nines by making a fresh approach" to the National Rugby League. Kennedy: "It's certainly something we're still interested in doing." Kennedy has "support from within the NRL as well." Melbourne and NSW forward Ryan Hoffman has "seen the impact of Origin in Victoria and he endorsed anything that would help grow the game." Hoffman said, "I don't think that would diminish Origin at all. I wouldn't have a problem with it. I like the way Origin is run with players from NSW and Queensland playing." The "one issue for Eden Park is that Origin matches have been locked in for the foreseeable future." The "earliest likely date to secure a game" in Auckland would be '18 (THE AUSTRALIAN, 2/18).