Around 13,000 people who purchased their tickets last will be told they can no longer attend the NRL grand final as the game suffers another huge headache just three sleeps out from the showpiece event.
It comes as Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk confirmed parts of Queensland would be heading back to stage 2 restrictions following more coronavirus cases including a 75 per cent limit at stadiums.
That means both Suncorp Stadium for the NRL and Cbus Stadium for the Rugby Championship would have to abide by the new rules.
There was plenty of confusion about what the new rules would mean but the NRL confirmed it will be a last in, first out policy with tickets.
NRL Chief Executive Andrew Abdo said a “first in” policy was the fairest way to determine the allocation of tickets at a reduced capacity. All fans would also have the opportunity to access a refund if they no longer wish to attend and can do so by contacting Ticketek. Fans impacted by the reduction in capacity will be advised today.
“We had two allocations of Grand Final tickets. The first was to the general public and the second was aimed at fans of both Grand Final teams,” Mr Abdo said.
“The fairest way to determine who can attend the game is by prioritising the first 75% to purchase tickets in each allocation. Any fan who no longer wants to attend will also be able to access a refund.”
One COVID case is at Townsville which will have NRL administrators doubly concerned. Townsville was considered a backup location for the NRL grand final should south-east Queensland be placed in a lockdown.
The Rugby Championship has also introduced a first in best dressed approach for Satuday’s double header at Cbus Stadium on the Gold Coast.
It comes as eight of the Argentina touring party including six players were denied entry into Queensland after a day trip to Byron Bay.
The reduced capacity is a double blow for Rugby Australia after almost making it through the entire Championship without another COVID-related issue after all hope seemed lost at the start of the tournament when New Zealand delayed their trip to Perth.
Tom of Brisbane
Guest
0 cases today. There's been what, 10 cases? 10 cases have caused me to have my tickets cancelled :angry:
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
WA entry from Qld currently requires 14 day quarantine ?
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Cut it all from Panthers ticket allocation
loosehead
Guest
You could almost guarantee that the last bought first out policy wont apply to the high and mighty who purchased last minute tickets.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
It's also interesting that Vlandys has said the grand final MUST be played before a crowd . Just let it be played before a crowd or no crowd . I'm really over this whole season .
GoGWS
Roar Guru
Where are all those people who were back slapping PVL for his supposed brilliance in dealing with C19? Are they now going to be blaming the NRL for not being more conservative in their planning and booking an Grand Final in a safer place (eg WA) or deferring it? Then, as now, the NRL (and all sports) are subject to forces way beyond their control when it comes to C19.
Scrumma
Roar Rookie
Last on first off lol
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
When you take out all the QRL, NRL and NSWRL administration who surely can't miss out , the free loading politicians and the ones with with their snouts in the trough it doesn't leave many paying customers .
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
Max, I understand that but by reducing crowd capacity because of Covid thread people might think too big a risk. I'd love to see a capacity crowd . I'd love to see a 75 % crowd but with a Covid threat no thanks .
Tony
Roar Guru
Yep. It's a joke mate. Let's hope that there are no health repercussions
Monorchid
Roar Rookie
You'll see in my later post that I thoroughly agree with you Tony.
Monorchid
Roar Rookie
When I checked this morning, there were only about 200 tickets left. So the grand final was a sell out. Now only about 39000 can attend. How is this really different from the stadium capacity of 52250? People will be congesting at entrances, walkways, toilets, concessionaires for beer and pies, and in the surrounding streets. Queensland's Chief Health Officer (soon to be Governor) has made much of this being a ticketed event. What a furphy. Knowing who sat where is only of use after an outbreak. It is not a preventive. The State Government might as well let 52000 people into the game and hope for the best.
The PTA has disbanded
Guest
Ok? I wasn't agreeing or disagreeing with anyone... Pretty random but entertaining anecdote from you I guess.
The PTA has disbanded
Guest
Also if I’m a person wanting to attend large entertainment events I’d be vaccinated by now Yeah, I'm on your side. But the stats aren't. The vaccine pace in Qld has been appallingly slow. There are definitely people out there who don't want to be jabbed and want to attend football. Heck, there are people on this website who are in that deranged boat. On the topic of printing out your vaccination certificate - Australia is still suffering from significant security issues around the validity and veracity of documents. They are a few weeks away from sorting it out. I'm guessing you aren't in involved in operations? Having 52,000 people send a copy of their vaccine certificate, having someone file it (securely), check and verify it and respond back to the customer....that's a HUGE undertaking to do on short notice. They are good ideas, but the ship has sailed on getting that done in time.
Tony
Roar Guru
No argument Rob, my point is that if there's a risk, it's just as big with 39k there as 52k.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
Tony, after the recent protests in Melbourne you don't even need that many.
Rob
Guest
50% of Queensland fully vaccinated is more than 52000 people. Also if I’m a person wanting to attend large entertainment events I’d be vaccinated by now. You’d be slightly stupid or very naive not to IMO.
Rob
Guest
That’s life mate. Do you really think people with more cash line up in the same cue as the lower class. I live in Townsville and paid $3k to watch the 2015 GF. A bloke was explaining to his friend on the bus to the game the difference between Union and League and that the Cowboys v Broncos come from Qld. Seriously OMG I had left a heap of family members at home broken hearted they couldn’t go. My 87 something father danced semi naked in the lounge when they won. Just be glad the game is still being played and be happy for those that get to go. Plenty south of the border are less fortunate.
Rob
Guest
You would have to say the Qld Government has got it right for a long time looking at the trouble other countries and states have encountered. We can all critique and pot shot in hindsight but I have lived normally in Queensland for much of this pandemic. Really it’s only been people doing things against the rules that have created an issue a majority of the time. I’ll cross my fingers and toes people do the right thing and enjoy the game. Get vaccinated is the only real way of moving forward. More than 90% of people unvaccinated in ICU is a powerful argument.
Rob
Guest
They sell 52000 tickets in a day . Why can’t you send a copy of your vaccination details and you keep your ticket valid. You get contacted and advised to isolate or are sick awaiting a test you cancel your ticket. Gee, I can’t imagine punching on over not getting in on those grounds. Doing the right thing is a struggle for so many I guess. You lie or enter knowingly sick you get a massive fine. Personally I think money (fines) is the big incentive to the people that don’t care. If you land in a hospital bed unvaccinated now I think you should be looking at paying the bill IMO.