NRL CEO Todd Greenberg boldly predicts next Sunday’s first stand alone State of Origin will be the most watched television program of the year.
The game two clash at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium also shapes as something of a test case for the future of rugby league’s jewel in crown.
Traditionally held on Wednesday nights, the NRL has shifted one Origin game to a stand alone representative weekend each year over the course of this television rights cycle.
Some have decried Sunday’s 8pm kick-off as family unfriendly but Greenberg said it would be a ratings juggernaut.
“I think it will be unbelievable … Next Sunday night will be the highest rating television program in the country this year,” he said.
“I have no doubt it will be an enormous number on television and it will be a full house at ANZ Stadium.”
Origin is traditionally one of the highest ratings shows of the year and last year’s decider drew in a 3.652 million national audience, only 40,000 less than the AFL grand final.
Not only has the rep weekend cut down the impact Origin has on club football, it has the potential to be an eye-ball winner for the game.
Friday’s inaugural women’s Origin match will be broadcast on Channel Nine while the Pacific Test the following night has grown immensely in stature since several stars, including former Dally M winner Jason Taumalolo, pledged allegiance to Tonga over tier one nations.
Greenberg said the game would consider holding Origin across three stand alone weekends at the conclusion of the current broadcast cycle.
“We’ll see how it goes after the next four years. I think we’ve found a better balance in this cycle,” Greenberg said.
“Origin is well understood by the clubs and the players as a significant contributor to the finances and revenues of the game. Players want to play and clubs have great respect for it.”
South Sydney CEO Blake Solly said this year’s rep calendar was preferable to previous years when Origin took a heavy toll on club football.
“I think we’re happier with the balance this year than last year,” he said.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for our players to play on a big stage.
“I think it’s more sustainable in this cycle than it was. The way the standalone works and split rounds were organised this year, most of us are facing (the player drain) for one or two weeks. It’s far easier to live with.”