NRL: Price cagey on Eden Park Origin match

Steve Price is disappointed Queensland has given up a State of Origin game this year to play in Melbourne. Photo / Getty Images

Maroons stalwart Steve Price has mixed feelings about the increasing trend to take State of Origin league matches away from Queensland and New South Wales.

Melbourne will host an Origin match again this year and the Australian Rugby League (ARL) is open to take a game to Auckland in the future.

Price says while he knows Origin is a big deal outside Queensland and New South Wales, the ARL has to be careful. He says he is disappointed Queensland is giving a game to Melbourne this year as it is a massive advantage to play at home.

However, Price says he is still open to the idea of playing one game every year at a neutral venue, so neither New South Wales or Queensland has more home matches.

Meanwhile, the Warriors skipper has backed calls for the reinstatement of a NRL-wide reserve grade competition.

The ARL is reportedly considering bringing back reserve grade following detrimental comments about the standard of the New South Wales Cup. The Warriors' feeder side the Auckland Vulcans is one of 11 teams in the second-tier competition.

Price says if it is financially possible, reserve grade needs to return. He says it is a blight on their game at the moment that in between the NRL and the under-20 competition there is a hole.

- NEWSTALK ZB