Looks like State of Origin is headin’ out west. The NRL confirmed today that the greatest rivalry in Aussie sport is gonna find itself in Perth for Game Two in 2019.
That’s right, folks. NRL is going waaaaaay beyond the Barassi line.
It’ll be the first time an Origin match is played outside Australia’s eastern states – with the exception of a single exhibition match in Los Angeles in 1987.
“We saw Melbourne embrace State of Origin in 2015 and we expect Perth to do the same in 2019,” said NRL chief Todd Greenberg.
“By then Perth will have a state-of-the-art facility which will be a fitting new venue for the biggest sporting event in the country.”
WA Premier Colin Barnett reckons that rugby fans from all over will come to Perth to experience the game. “We are expecting thousands of fans to make the trip across the Nullarbor to be at the game.”
“Millions more will watch the live television broadcast which gives us the opportunity to show off our transforming city and world-class new stadium to the rest of Australia.”
It’s a big deal regardless. Rugby league is knockin’ right on the door of this Aussie rules fortress… in 2019.
Source: NRL.
Photo: Getty Images / Cameron Spencer.
