Those tempted to hop the border for Game Three ‘will be caught’

Gold Coast police are planning an Origin Game Three blitz on Covid compliance with those tempted to hop the border for the event being warned they will be caught.

Police have issued a stern warning to NSW residents not to try to sneak illegally into Queensland for Wednesday night’s State of Origin game on the Gold Coast.

Coast police Superintendent Rhys Wildman said officers would be blitzing the roads and waterways to crackdown on would-be border hoppers trying to ‘run the gauntlet’ to get to the game at CBus Stadium.

“Don’t even try,” he warned.

“Please don’t try - it’s just not worth it.”

Superintendent Rhys Wildman talking to the media. Picture: Jerad Williams

Supt Wildman said police were intercepting 800 suspect vehicles every day and this would be ramped up ahead of Origin.

He said officers were on high alert after Melbourne tech millionaire Jeromy Young and three others snuck into the Coast, via Covid hotspot Sydney, on a superyacht last week to watch the rugby Test at Suncorp Stadium.

Asked if there was any way police could turn around the entire NSW

team, Supt Wildman joked that that would be ‘up to the CHO’ (Chief

Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young).

Officers are on high alert after Melbourne tech millionaire Jeromy Young and three others snuck into the Coast, via Covid hotspot Sydney, on a superyacht last week to watch the rugby Test at Suncorp Stadium.

More than 70 police will be on duty at CBus to checking fans are abiding by Covid protocols, including wearing masks.

Supt Wildman said police armed with metal detectors would also be conducting a ‘wanding’ operation at Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach to ensure no-one was carrying knives or other weapons.