NSW’s task of winning this year’s State of Origin series just got tougher with Suncorp Stadium set to be at 100 per cent capacity for next week’s decider.
Queensland premier Annastacia Palasczcuk revealed on Friday her government was easing several COVID-19 restrictions from 4pm on Tuesday, including the limit on open-air stadiums to operate at 75 per cent capacity.
The decision means an extra 12,500 fans will be allowed to attend Wednesday’s Game 3 with a potential attendance of 52,500.
That figure will be the largest sporting attendance since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down several sporting codes in March.
Currently the biggest crowd since the pandemic hit was the 37,303 fans who attended this year’s NRL grand final in Sydney.
Last weekend’s Bledisloe Cup match in Brisbane between Australia and New Zealand had a crowd of 36,000 at Suncorp Stadium.
“I think Queenslanders are going to be very, very happy with this outcome,” Palaszczuk told reporters.
“Let’s fill Suncorp and cheer our mighty Maroons on.”
The NRL has confirmed all seats will be made available for Wednesday’s match with 2000 tickets to be gifted to front-line healthcare workers and emergency services personnel.
“It has been an extraordinary season and remarkable that our final game of the year will be an Origin decider with no crowd cap,” NRL chief executive Anthony Abdo said.
“It’s amazing to think how far the game has come since the competition was suspended in March.”
With the borders closed between NSW and Queensland, Blues fans will be in the minority at the venue, where NSW have won just twice since 2010.
Despite their impressive record at Suncorp Stadium, with 37 wins from 58 Origins at the ground, Maroons utility Ben Hunt says the venue won’t decide the game.
“We need to go up a level for sure,” Hunt said.
“We were nowhere near where we needed to be (in Sydney), so yeah we need to improve a hell of a lot.
“We can’t just rely on the crowd.”
captainpale
Roar Rookie
Yea, reading it back is not quite what i meant. I couldnt care less who commentates the game, frankly most of the commentators annoy the hell out of me so i usually watch the game on mute. I do not wish anybody harm, and meant no offense. If i had to express a real concern is that the attitude of certain premiers in this country is getting out of hand, it is one thing to close ones borders, it is another to be spiteful about it, we only need to look at the US to see what can happen with this sort of thing gets out of hand.
andrew
Roar Rookie
Prices are ridiculous John. A ticket on the halfway that you'd usually pay $100 for is $300. Sitting way up top, you need binoculars. Needless to say I'll be watching on T.V
Malo
Guest
Why would you pay so much to see the worst ever qld side get poleaxed. 30 plus defeat.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Who sets the pricing up there for SOO? QRL or Stadiums Qld. It is becoming too pricey especially when you add on the exorbitant food & drink costs.
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
I find it ironical, chook will not open the borders but is happy to suddenly announce a full capacity allowed at Lang Park (suncorp) Stadium. Pardon my cynicism but how politically opportunistic? BTW the $65 tickets were pensioner or other concession tickets otherwise its $165 and up for tickets....
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
that $65 is actually concession card holder only ….pensioner or DVA
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
Andrew Ray is a nice bloke and was a neighbour when we both lived at Georges Hall in Sydney. Both he and his wife apparently have melanoma from what I gather.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Perhaps they can get their 60 minutes team to go up there “to sort things out”. Didn’t they have success with that matter in Lebanon with the child “taken” by his father a while ago?
Rob
Guest
Paid $3k and traveled 4 days with the boy to watch 2015 GF. NSW were crying an all Queensland GF wouldn’t get a crowd? Homebush is so far away. They don’t get it. Never will but hey it’s Sydney all the way. Sometimes I think many New South Welshmen are Americans to a tea. The ticket prices are insanely overpriced but I guess so are many other things in the world.
Rellum
Roar Guru
You can see who they think the stars of the show are.
Nat
Roar Rookie
Salty! Salty! Salty...
Nat
Roar Rookie
I've looked, you can get single nose-bleed seats for $65 but from there it's an average of $200 - $300ea. Easily a $1000 night out for a family...
Nat
Roar Rookie
This from the state that couldn't rustle up 40k last week @ $50ea?
Max
Guest
QLD govt put up a rabbits proof fence. Bring back Billy J.
Big Daddy
Guest
Don't worry Emcie, Fittler and John's will be scathing of the Qld premier and health officials. But maybe Pete will perform another miracle. But to be honest how unprofessional and stupid of Gus to make a comment like that.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Did anyone have high expectations for Karl trying to channel The Last Dance in an Origin doco? My immediate response wasn't exactly positive
Rob
Guest
According to NSW media Queenslanders can’t afford tickets as no one is working anymore? Ask Glady we depend on NSW for our very existence.
andrew
Roar Rookie
Wasn't on the bus long enough. This was only last year, i think Ray's retired from bus driving now and i read in the local paper that he's having a bit of a battle with skin cancer. Yes he's a good bloke and i wish him well.
andrew
Roar Rookie
It's a B.S. argument.
andrew
Roar Rookie
No Barry, it was only a year or so back and mainly the results of the weekend. Ray was driving around the coast for a while. Got on a couple of times when he was the driver but this one time i was the only one on the bus ,sat up the front and had a good chat about League. Read a few months ago in the local paper that he's having a bit of a battle with skin cancer and i think he's retired from bus driving. I wish him well.