Everything hinges on the new NRL broadcasting deal, which will run from 2018. The present deal is worth A$1.2 billion and analysts say the next could top A$2 billion.
The NRL's new head of game strategy Shane Richardson has made positive noises about a possible calendar restructure. That would see the NRL season reduced and a stand-alone State of Origin series. Such a window could create space for more tests, although clubs would still need to be persuaded to release their players.
"The recent success of the Kiwis [and] the popularity of the Pacific tests has put the international game back in the spotlight," said Holden. "It needs to be commercially viable and there is a challenge around player availability but it is something we need to work towards."
The timing is right as the Kiwis are hot property. Recent clashes with the Kangaroos have rated well, as audiences on both sides of the Tasman sense a genuine contest.
Fans across Australasia want to see the likes of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Shaun Johnson and Jason Taumalolo in action, as they arguably have as much appeal as any Australian players. The last time the Kiwis played at Eden Park in 2012, they drew more than 35,000, during a victory drought. Imagine the crowd they might attract now, off the back of three successive transtasman victories.
Holden is also pushing to host either or both of the next two Anzac tests. He was stymied in his attempt to host the centenary Anzac test this year but is hopeful for the future.
"We need to have the Kiwis playing on home soil — it's absolutely vital," said Holden. "Everybody wants to see more test matches — the fans, the players — so hopefully we can make it happen."
The Kiwis have played only four tests in New Zealand in the last five years and, until the Four Nations match with Samoa last year, players such as Kieran Foran, Dean Whare and Lewis Brown had never played in front of their home fans.
