The wait for top-level competition is over for rugby league fans in Western Australia, with Perth to host its first international Test match in October between the Kangaroos and Kiwis.
New Australian coach Mal Meninga and New Zealand coach Stephen Kearney flew into Perth for the announcement today, along with Manly Warringah Sea Eagles player Martin Taupau, whose team will play the New Zealand Warriors at nib Stadium on Saturday July 16 as part of the regular National Rugby League season.
In a continuing tradition of South Sydney playing home games in Perth, the Rabbitohs will host the Gold Coast Titans at nib Stadium on Sunday June 5.
While the international match on Saturday October 15 is sure to draw a crowd, with local NRL officials predicting a sell out, Mr Meninga said the game’s most popular series and the nation’s most watched television event, the State of Origin, could also eventually make its way west.
Mr Meninga, who famously led the Queensland team to an eight-year winning streak against New South Wales in the State of Origin, said he saw no reason why one of the three fiercely contested games of the series could not be held in Perth following the 2018 completion of the $1.3 billion Perth Stadium.
“My personal opinion is you can have one in Brisbane, one in Sydney and one around the world, around the rugby league playing nations,” Mr Meninga said.
“There’s no reason we can’t be in Perth; we’re doing it in Melbourne now at the MCG and there’s no reason why we can’t take it to New Zealand as well to propagate our game. I think we need to do those sort of things ... to showcase our great game of rugby league.”
While rugby league in WA is gaining popularity, it did not pose any threats to Australian rules football, Mr Meninga said.
“(AFL fans) don’t have to be worried at all,” he said.
“It’s a big enough place for all sports and we fully understand AFL’s the major sport here.
“But I’m a rugby league fan, there are rugby league fans over here and let’s hope with the three games we can satisfy.”
His comments that Perth would continue to attract rusted-on league fans as well as new ones were repeated by Mr Kearney, who recognised the role of New Zealand expats in the sport.
”There’s a pretty good Kiwi contingent here in Perth,” he said.
Tickets for all three matches will be sold through Ticketmaster, starting in February for the NRL season games.
Those interested in the international match can join a waiting list before tickets go on sale later this year.
