Kiwi State of Origin a brutal fantasy?

JUSTIN LATIF

Last updated 05:00 06/07/2012

After one of the best State Of Origin series in years, it's exciting to think our own New Zealand version could be just around the corner if NZRL chief executive Jim Doyle's proposal comes to fruition.

And if the television companies could work out a schedule where the New Zealand Origin matches are played before the Australian matches it would make for a fantastic night of football for us couch potatoes.

However the prospect of all the best Kiwi and Australian players being unavailable for the rounds before these rep games would fully gut the NRL of its top talent, reducing teams like the Broncos and the Warriors to their reserve grade sides. For this reason, it's unlikely the clubs and the new commission will allow it to happen.

But if the stars truly do align, imagine the match-ups of the Auckland-born players vs the non-Jaffas. The city-slickers would have a halves pairing of Shaun Johnson and Kieran Foran and would probably face up against Benji Marshall and Ben Roberts - making it probably the most electric face-off in league.

The Aucklanders would have props like Roy Asotasi, Sione Lousi, Sam Kasiano (if he turns down Queensland) and Jesse Bromwich. While the outsiders could pick from Sam Rapira, Ben Matulino, Russell Packer, Sam McKendry and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. And it would be brutal.

I've made two squads to give a taste of the potential bonanza that would hit the field. Make your own suggestions or feel free to abuse me if I put the wrong guys into the wrong team.

Auckland-born players

1. Kevin Locke

2. Sam Perrett

3. Jerome Ropati

4. Steve Matai

5. Manu Vatuvei

6. Kieran Foran

7. Shaun Johnson

8. Roy Asotasi

9. Thomas Leuluai

10. Jesse Bromwich

11. Bronson Harrison

12. Sonny Bill Williams (because he'll be playing league when this happens)

13. Greg Eastwood

The non-Auckland New Zealanders

1. Josh Hoffman

2. Jason Nightingale

3. Shaun Kenny-Dowall

4. Simon Mannering

5. Konrad Hurrell

6. Ben Roberts

7. Benji Roberts

8. Sam Rapira

9. Isaac Luke

10. Ben Matulino

11. Frank Pitchard

12. Adam Blair

13. Elijah Taylor

Follow @AucklandNowNZ

- © Fairfax NZ News

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