The NRL's landmark move to host a State of Origin match in New Zealand has been hailed as "sensational" by Kiwi legend Gary Freeman.
It is understood negotiations between the league and the NZ government have culminated in Auckland's Eden Park earning hosting rights for one game of the 2027 series.
The match at the 50,000-seat stadium will be the first Origin fixture in New Zealand, and the first overseas since an exhibition match in Long Beach, California, in 1987.
New Zealand did host one match of a Super League Tri-Series that featured the Kiwis, Queensland and NSW in 1997, but Queensland's win over the hosts that day is not considered an official Origin fixture.
Freeman, who played an incredible 46 Tests, said Origin in New Zealand was a "sensational" shot in the arm for rugby league, which has boomed across the ditch in recent years.
"New Zealand needs State of Origin and I am all for it. It will grow the game so much bigger from when us old blokes were playing," the former halfback told AAP.
"It will be a sell-out. I just wish we had a stadium that held 70,000 people because that's what we could get.
"I don't know that the Aussies will be able to get a ticket. Quote me on that."
Since 2018, each Origin series has featured one match in neither NSW nor Queensland, bar the COVID-affected 2021 series held across Queensland.
In 2023, the league allotted neutral Origin games to Melbourne and Perth for each series through 2028, but had left the 2027 slot blank.
Freeman said it was high time for New Zealand to be included.
Rugby league has boomed in New Zealand since the Warriors' return from Australia, where they had been forced to relocate during the pandemic.
The Warriors had an average crowd of 25,382 at their home games last season, selling out nine of the 11 they played in Auckland.
"If you look back to what the Warriors did for the game during COVID, this (Origin in New Zealand) should have happened earlier," said Freeman, the first Kiwi player to win the Dally M Medal.
"I took clients to games last year and the atmosphere was unbelievable. It has a State of Origin atmosphere already, so I can't wait for the Kiwis to fill the stadium."
The landmark Origin match comes following pushes for New Zealand to host the NRL's potential 20th team in coming years.
The NRL received three separate bids representing New Zealand's South Island when it last accepted expansion applications in 2024, with none successful.
Kiwi players Jamayne Isaako and Jordan Riki have been among the NRL stars to have previously backed the creation of a second NZ team.
Freeman believed the benefits of playing Origin in New Zealand would trickle down to the game's grass roots.
"Origin is a key to get more kids to play footy over there and they get to see it live and don't have to stay up until midnight to watch it," he said.
"The Warriors and Kiwis have given it another boost, and Origin will take it next level."
Melbourne's MCG will be the neutral venue for the 2026 Origin series, followed by Perth Stadium in 2028.
