Why Kemp is adamant the NRL should go on a multi-week hiatus during Origin

Former Brisbane Broncos flyer Denan Kemp has proposed a bold idea for the NRL to pause its regular season for a handful of weeks and introduce a host of representative fixtures to break up the fixtures.

The NRL shut down a similar concept in 2022 when the ‘Representative Round’ saw all 16 sides given the week off and a showcase of international and State of Origin football took its place.

The move was universally loved by fans and many have called for it to return in some fashion to allow the international game to grow, on the back of a strong 2021 Rugby League World Cup.

With players not eligible for Origin unable to play representative football until the end of each season, Kemp’s idea would revolutionise this aspect of the sport.

“This what I think should happen, National Rugby League shuts down for four weeks,” Kemp said on SEN 1170 The Captain’s Run.

“For four weeks, it is focused on international rugby league and Origin, I think that what we would do, anyone who didn’t qualify for a (representative) team goes back to NSW and Queensland Cup, which is great for the local game.

“Then basically go… every Wednesday is a (State of) Origin game, then on weekends we have an Origin for Samoa and Tonga, then you’ve got Fiji (versus) Cook Islands, you could even have some of the lower tier sides playing each other, like Italy.

“I understand that it would be frustrating for coaches to lose player, I think if we can still find a way to go back to their clubs in between so they can stay on top of things (and) make sure they’re staying in contact with each other… and in regards to their training.”

Kemp emphasized his point by suggesting it would eliminate the current grey areas that surround both domestic and international eligibility.

“I understand there’s a lot of crinkles to work out but I genuinely think it would be worth because not only does it fix who’s eligible, it fixes eligibility, right there,” Kemp added.

“Because you’re basically saying to a Samoan or Tongan player, ‘If you pick Samoa or Tonga, you get your Origin series and you’re also showing your allegiance to them is preferred’, which is fine, it’s a good thing, it’s great for the game.

“So, there’s no more eligibility issues and we get basically a month of madness in rugby league and we can sell it, celebrate it and really promote it content wise.”

The 2024 Origin series kicks off at Accor Stadium in Sydney as the Blues host the Maroons on Wednesday, June 5th.