UPDATE: Origin 1 started at 8:13pm AEST.
Ah yes, State of Origin time, and the great guessing game regarding time. When will the thing kick-off? The NRL have scheduled it for 8:10pm (AEST) on Wednesday, June 5 at Suncorp Stadium, but will that actually be the case.
It’s become a game on social media to play kick-off bingo ahead of the big game, and while there are no prizes attached to the end result, there is the comedic value of laughing at a multi-million dollar company not being able to schedule the biggest games of their season properly.
More State of Origin
» Five talking points from Origin 1
» Match report: Queensland win 18-14
» WATCH: Video Highlights from Origin 1
» Re-live the match with our live blog
Of course, we all know at this point that NRL schedule documents aren’t worth the paper they are written (or printed on).
Game 1 last year, for example, was scheduled to commence at 8pm, but didn’t actually kick-off until 15 minutes later, and that, for the most part, is pretty much the summation of NRL scheduling.
Will the NRL finally get it right this year and have Game 1 of the State of Origin series in Brisbane kick-off right on 8:10pm like we see with other sports starting their matches on time, or, at 8:10pm, will we still be sitting around, looking at the clock with one eye on the never-ending build-up, wondering how the teams could possibly be still warming up?
This is where you come in.
We want you to use the form below and put a time in, telling us exactly what time you think Game 1 of State of Origin will kick-off in Brisbane.
The most popular times will be announced here at 7:30pm (AEST) – 40 minutes before the scheduled kick-off.
Clanger McClunk
Guest
Nice story DP but there are a few errors there. Firstly the Kangaroo tour around the time was 1967 and yes the Aussies beat the Poms 2-1, and were jaded on the French leg probably by Johnny Raper's way of celebrating a win rubbing off onto his teammates. Beetson and Fulton were not on that tour having their first Kangaroo tour in 1973. Nevertheless it sounds like a good yarn despite the inaccuracies and many would have a good laugh.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
A certain betting agency has the start time down as 8:20. Usually a good guide.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
In the ultimate stitch-up, as it's at their home, QLD will kick-off at 7:30 and be 62 - zip by the time the Blues know the game is on. Reminds me of a story that leaked out from the '68 Kangaroo tour. After retaining the 'Ashes' with a 2-1 series win, the jaded Kangaroos travelled to France for three tests. Worn and weary from the Great Britain battle, they gave a poor account of themselves, losing 2-1. Frustration with the loss and questionable refereeing (they basically lost through penalties) led to an overwhelming sense of deflation. In an effort to raise spirits before the return home, Captain-Coach Gasnier organised a one-off test against another nearby European country (true name withheld - insert whoever you like). The big mistake he made was that he suggested attendance be voluntary, thinking that only one or two of the squad would want to miss the opportunity for a moral-boosting thrashing. As circumstances would have it, virtually the entire squad was so downcast that - without much communication - ignored the match entirely. Reg, who had finished his career with broken leg suffered in England, found himself with only Langlands, Fulton and Beetson ready to take the field. Avoiding the temptation to take the field himself, Gasnier sent out his three warriors to do battle against a full strength opposition. At half-time the Aussies were 32-nil and Beetson and Langlands had had enough. 'These guys are hopeless, we're off to the pub. Bozo can finish this lot off." And so they did. Later that night the two miscreants caught up with Fulton and Gasnier at the team hotel. "So what was the final score?" they asked. "37 - 25" came the reply, "we won". Arthur and Changa exploded.. filling the room with profanity they chastised Fulton for letting the ???s get so close. "Leave him be" growled Reg, "poor bugger got sent off 10 minutes into the second half"
3 R M
Guest
It will start early just to ambush NSW Again...
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
When the whistle blows. What do I win? ;-)
Rellum
Roar Guru
Last couple of years they started at a more reasonable time so I am going to say 8.12
Rellum
Roar Guru
Wow, official Bingo this year
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
It will be pushed back so the protesters can rewrite the anthem to their satisfaction. Deep thinkers.
Conan of Cooma
Roar Rookie
It's in QLD, so sometime in the 1800's.
Scott Pryde
Expert
I rate this comment as the actual reason why.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
To be fair, many QLD’ers have trouble following a Nav Man, so it is important to allow them a little extra time to find their way to the ground. And Suncorp is a big stadium, so some of the seats have double digits – that can be confusing for them too….
Zenn
Roar Rookie
SoO is postponed until 6 June to commercially exploit 75th Anniversary of D Day. Imagine the banal war hyperbole. Players as heroes...lol. Matches as life and death battles...choke.
Benjamin Conkey
Editor
From memory it was actually reasonably early (for Origin standards) last year. I'll go with 8:14.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Won't be before 8:20... Let's go 8:22.
Connor Bennett
Editor
I'd like to think that by pushing the scheduled time back 10 minutes from last year that they might actually be closer to the advertised time... But who are we kidding, they'll still drag it out! I'll go with 8:21
Daniel Jeffrey
Editor
Let's go with 8:16. Hopefully give us a (relatively) early finish
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
It will start when Channel 9 say so.