The Gold Coast will host Ampol State of Origin III on Wednesday night after the ARLC was advised by the NSW Government today that it would not allow a major event with a crowd to be held at Newcastle next Wednesday.
The NSW Government was ensuring the current outbreak does not spread to regional NSW.
While there is no community infection in Newcastle, the worsening COVID situation in Sydney over the last couple of days caused the NSW Government to believe hosting a major event in a regional community with a crowd could create additional risk to the community.
Given that there will be no live crowd permitted for the event the Commission held an emergency meeting this evening and decided to move the match interstate to ensure a viable event and live match atmosphere for the final Ampol State of Origin match in the series.
The decision means the Gold Coast will host Ampol State of Origin for the first time in the city’s history. A capacity crowd of over 27,000 will be allowed to attend Wednesday night’s game.
“We are disappointed not to be able to give Newcastle the city’s first State of Origin, but we must operate within all State Public Health Orders and not having a crowd in Newcastle negates the opportunity for our fans from the region,’’ NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said.
“The Gold Coast has a very low infection rate and both Origin camps are currently located within driving distance of Cbus Stadium. It means neither team will be disadvantaged by travel.
“This is an exciting outcome for the Gold Coast. It will be the first time in history that the Gold Coast has hosted State of Origin.
“The Gold Coast is an important market for us and in the current circumstances presents a safe outcome for the community and a great outcome for our fans in southeast Queensland.
“It does mean all three games are played in Queensland, but our priority is ensuring the safety of the community and the continuity of the competition.”
Replies
Smart decision
most of newy were not fans of having the risk tbh
If they were serious they'd can it . Irrelevant game .
Too true
It's not irrelevant to the revenue of the game though and I think I read that origin brings in over 1/3 of revenue and so taking a game out woukd leave a hold of tens of millions of dollars and the game can't afford that kind of hit
If there is minimal risk playing the game in Queensland, i dont have a problem with it. I didnt like the fact it was to be pkayed a few kms up the road from locked down greater Sydney
The ARLC commission is meeting tomorrow. Don't be surprised if the entire comp is moved to Brisbane / Gold Coast.
Well it's not going away any time soon - how it's going to work with everyone up there 🤷♀️
You could play in VIC and QLD yeah ? Send half the teams to QLD and half to VIC . The ACT will be in lockdown in a few days as they've sent that young Asian girl down there from Sydney on the plane to spread it . Give it till Monday and the inevitable media release saying she's tested positive will come out and Caanbraaaa will be locked down .
High risk of catching toothless inbred disease but 😂😂😝
Haha !
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