League: NZ Origin match, Eden Park double header on the cards

Benji Marshall. Photo / Getty Images

The NRL are set to vote today on two changes to the competition which include a New Zealand 'State of Origin' match and an extra round that could see two games played at Eden Park in one night.

NRL club chief executives and chairmen are meeting in Coogee, New South Wales to discuss and vote on the two proposals that would begin in the 2013 season, the Daily Telegraph reports.

The first proposal is to introduce two new State of Origin matches, one involving New Zealand players and the other between two under-20s sides.

The New Zealand teams would be split into Auckland vs Counties with the likes of Benji Marshall and Simon Mannering taking part for the Counties side.

Instead of the traditional State of Origin series taking place on a Wednesday night, New South Wales and Queensland would instead clash on a Monday night with the New Zealand Origin game being played the night before.

All NRL clubs would have the bye week during the triple Origin weekend.

The second proposal for the 2013 season is to include an extra 27th round where 180,000 fans could watch eight games at three venues, with Eden Park one of the likely venues.

The plan would be for Eden Park to host a double-header on a Friday, with one game including the Warriors, while Brisbane and Sydney would host triple-headers on a Saturday and Sunday.

Newcastle's Ausgrid Stadium has also been touted as a potential venue instead of Eden Park, the Daily Telegraph reports.

"The blockbuster round concept is something which we would like to discuss with the clubs, but we believe it could be an exciting new concept for fans of rugby league," NRL football operations director Nathan McGuirk told the paper.

Gate takings at the three venues could add up to $3m which would be split between the 16 clubs.

Other issues to be discussed at today's meeting include a new broadcast deal, the salary cap, an independent commission and a collective bargaining agreement.

- HERALD ONLINE