State of Origin will have a new look in 2023.
Bored of Queensland’s dominance, and looking to tap into the game’s huge Pasifika market, the NRL will replace the NSW Blues with a Pacific Islands XIII.
Unlike the current Origin system, all NRL players of Pacific Island heritage will eligible for the PIXIII, including players who’d previously played for NSW.
From 2023, one game will be held at Lang Park, one at Homebush, and one rotating between Melbourne/Perth/Adelaide.
Andrew Abdo said the PIXIII was the NRL’s way to make up for dropping the popular mid-season Pacific Tests. “Unlike the useless NSW players and coaches, who truly don’t get Origin, the new Pacific Islands XIII will reward the best Pasifika players and give the dominant Maroons some much-needed competition.”
Though, as a consolation for NSW fans, the NSW City vs NSW Country series will be brought back. This time it’ll be a three-game series, played on the Monday night before Origin, held in country NSW.
