WALTERS IS CONFIDENT ORIGIN WILL BE PLAYED
QUEENSLAND coach Kevin Walters is confident that it is a matter of when – not if – the 2020 State of Origin series will be played.
The viability of holding an Origin series this year will be discussed after the NRL presents a revised payment schedule for players and clubs today.
Every option will be up for discussion between the RLPA players union and the NRL following the meeting, with Origin set to be a priority.
The three-game series’ cost will be a hot topic considering Origin players have recently been paid $30,000 a game, equating to $3 million in match payments alone.
However, the NRL will be reluctant to jettison its showpiece altogether this season considering it generates upwards of $100 million each year.
“It’s a huge part of our rugby league program. I believe it can happen at some stage this season. My mindset is State of Origin will be played at some point,” he told Fox League Mornings.
Walters said he had kept in touch with the 33-strong Queensland squad that he had hosted at a pre-season camp and told them to be ready for Origin duty.
“I’m in regular contact with all of our players making sure they are doing the right thing by themselves and their clubs and keeping themselves right,” he said.
“We don’t know what the future holds with the NRL rounds and State of Origin, particularly Origin, (but) it’s something that can happen really quickly. You probably need a month to get the guys fit, and we can have it run and won in seven weeks.
“That’s exciting. That’s what’s keeping me and all the Queensland staff going, that Origin will go ahead – it’s just a matter of when.”