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The Kiwi team line up after losing the New Zealand Kiwis v Australian Kangaroos. AAP Image/Hagen Hopkins/PHOTOSPORT
Given the recent articles around here discussing State of Origin selections, I thought it would be worthwhile addressing the upcoming Test Match between Australia and New Zealand.
Unfortunately, as it is tucked away in scheduling obscurity just before State of Origin, this is a contest that is often overlooked in general rugby league discussion.
Of course, the fact that Australia has won every one of these mid-season Tests since 1998 may well be another factor in this.
To give the international game further credibility, a strong New Zealand performance in this upcoming Test is vital.
Of course, though New Zealand are the current World Cup Champions, I doubt there are many Australians who would seriously consider New Zealand a genuine threat to Australia as the number one Test side in rugby league.
Despite the draw in the last clash between the two sides, many Australian fans still think that World Cup result was a ‘fluke’, or a one-off, with the many one-sided mid-year Test matches flooding the memory.
However, recent results (including a last start draw) suggest the tide may be turning for Trans Tasman rugby league rivalry.
With the Warriors unearthing a number of young talents (particularly Ben Matulino and Kevin Locke) and the Australian-based talent the Kiwis have to call on these days, I believe this annual contest is about to explode into the public consciousness.
Just think about the players New Zealand have to call upon: Benji Marshall, Frank Pritchard, Adam Blair, Manu Vatuvei, Isaac Luke to name a few.
The Kiwi side at its best is a mouth-watering prospect, and one that can surely match the magic the Kangaroos regularly produce.
The potential that exists in this rivalry (both on and off the field) is enormous.
Alongside the genuine thrill in watching your national side represent your country in a competitive, hard-fought competition, international rugby league also offers rugby league something its main rival, AFL, cannot.
While AFL undoubtedly has the stronger national club competition, representative rugby league is a jewel that AFL cannot hope to match.
As great as State of Origin is, the carrot of representing your country in regular, high quality competition is a huge carrot to dangle in front of all juniors.
A genuinely strong Trans Tasman contest, with TV ratings and crowds to match, would be the greatest possible advertisement for rugby league across Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere.
It would attract interest from international sponsors, broadcasters etc. while also attracting grass roots followers in rugby league strongholds.
I think international rugby league is capable of producing thrills even State of Origin can’t match, and I’d love to see it rise to its full potential.
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