Shaun Johnson cool about possible Kiwi Origin

New Zealand Warriors haf-back Shaun Johnson is somewhat sceptical about ideas to launch a Kwi version of State of Origin.

Johnson believes that the international game is the pinnacle of rugby league, and the Kiwis are currently excelling in the Test arena.

Former Kiwi coach Graham Lowe recently outlined ideas for a New Zealand version of Origin, based on whether players had Pacific Islands ancestry.

“No, I couldn’t imagine it,” he said of a potential Kiwi Origin, according to the New Zealand Herald.

“A lot of us are just quite happy watching Aussies bash each other so I think we should leave it up to them.

“I’ve never supported either side and a lot of people have given me some grief for it over the years.

“But I’ve said before, I don’t really see how you can be so passionate for one state when you’re from Otara or Whangaparaoa.

“I still think playing for your country is the pinnacle.

“Probably just because of the grudge they’ve got towards one another, they probably see it like that, but we played an Aussie side a couple of weeks ago from both those teams combined, so I’d probably say that’s a better team.”