A press release from the NRL trumpeting a $A925 million ($NZ1 billion) deal with free-to-air broadcaster Channel 9 confirmed the second State of Origin match will be played on a Sunday, with International Rugby League "given a new priority" and "played in a dedicated window after the NRL Premiership season".
The new State of Origin schedule will see the second match in each series being played on a Sunday night as part of a stand alone weekend of representative football, which will also feature Pacific Nation Tests, the release states.
That could see the Kiwis taking on a Pacific Nation such as Samoa or Tonga instead of the Kangaroos.
The NZRL did not immediately responded to a New Zealand Herald request for an interview.
The NRL's deal with Channel 9 - the biggest in Australia free-to-air television history - will see the season trimmed from 26 to 25 weeks.
NRL chief executive David Smith said the changes would mean less disruption to the Telstra Premiership with only one split round each year.
"In other words, we are preserving Origin as a marquee event of the year while minimising disruption to the Premiership," he said.
The deal represents a windfall for the NRL and its clubs, however it could be a blow for the already cash-strapped New Zealand Rugby League, which relies on international fixtures - including the mid-season Anzac Test - for the bulk of its revenue.
The news comes with the Kiwis having won this year's Anzac Test for the first time since 1998. The match has been an annual fixture on the league calendar since it was reintroduced in 2004.
The NRL's deal with Channel 9 - which doubles the number of free-to-air matches for Australian viewers from two to four and introduces a match on a Thursday night - does not include pay tv operators or New Zealand.
Mr Smith said the agreement would help secure the long term financial future of the game.
"And we still have simulcast rights, pay tv, New Zealand and international television rights to be negotiated.
"So the future of the game is in great shape."
Mr Smith said that, as part of the agreement, the NRL would regain control of the season schedule - and deliver a better deal for the fans.
"We will be able to schedule the best games when fans want to see them - and ensure all clubs receive the coverage they deserve on free to air television," he said.
While the initial focus had been on free to air rights, the NRL had already held extensive discussions with a number of operators involved in pay television and streaming rights.
"The digital media market is changing rapidly and it is our view that new and exciting opportunities will develop with Fox Sports and other providers," he said.
"By 2018, the digital world will be very different and we want to be in the best possible position to take advantage of any changes.
"So negotiations with the pay tv and digital providers will continue and, again, our focus will be on ensuring the most widespread coverage on whatever platform fans choose to watch rugby league."
Mr Smith was to front a press conference in Sydney this morning to discuss the deal.
