Queensland’s hopes of hosting all three Origin games this year

We’ve already hosted the first two games of the series, but there are growing calls for another Queensland city to stage Origin’s Game Three as well.

Queensland could pull off at least one State of Origin whitewash this year, with the Gold Coast in the frame to host Game Three as Sydney’s coronavirus crisis deepens.

With the series on the line for the Maroons at Suncorp Stadium tonight, Sydney’s chances of hosting the third game on July 14 have plummeted as the Harbour City is gripped by a crippling lockdown.

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Newcastle and Canberra could host Game Three, but the Glitter Strip has emerged as a shock contender, with Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate calling for the match to be played at Robina’s Cbus Stadium while Queensland Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the State government was “ready, willing and able” to host Game Three if required.

It comes after the series opener was moved from Melbourne to Townsville following a Covid cluster in the Victorian capital earlier this month.

Cbus Stadium could host Game Three of the State of Origin series as Sydney struggles under a Covid lockdown. Picture: David Clark

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Playing all three games in Queensland would be unprecedented, but as political and sporting leaders have often lamented in recent months, these are unprecedented times.

The NRL is keen to keep Game Three in Sydney, but the chances of spectators being allowed to attend the match in just 17 days appear remote.

Newcastle’s viability would also be under threat as the NSW lockdown now extends to the Central Coast just an hour away.

After a previous bid to host Origin on the Gold Coast ahead of the city’s 2018 Commonwealth Games, Mayor Tate, ironically a NSW Blues supporter, has again called for a match to be played at Cbus Stadium.

The home of the Titans has a capacity of almost 28,000 – more than Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium which hosted Game One.

FOOTBALL fans packed the stands at Townsville’s historic State of Origin match this month. Picture: Ian Hitchcock (Getty Images)

“The Sydney Covid crisis is challenging the entire state,” said Mayor Tate.

“The NRL needs to look ahead and give certainty to the players, fans and sponsors.

“That certainty can come in the shape of our world-class league stadium – Cbus.

“I’m putting out the call today for the NRL to lock CBus in for Game 3.

“The way the mighty Blues played in Townsville, it’ll probably be a dead rubber anyway but let’s see the Blues take the 2021 series 3-0 at Cbus on 14 July.”

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has long advocated for an Origin game to be held on the Glitter Strip. Picture: Jerad Williams

While the Queensland government stumped up almost $8 million for the rights to host Game One to defeat bids from Canberra, Adelaide and Perth, it’s unlikely there will be any bidding war for the final match of the series, particularly if it’s a dead rubber.

That would leave the NRL to weigh up the logistics of whether to host the game in a potentially empty Stadium Australia, or to at least recoup some revenue from ticket sales with a move interstate.

Canberra Stadium would be one potential host, but Cbus is newer, bigger and would be able to attract thousands of NSW fans living south of the Tweed River.

Even if Queensland restored a state lockout to NSW, border communities would likely be exempt from any border bans.

Mr Hinchliffe said Sydney’s Covid situation could change rapidly over the next fortnight, but Queensland would be ready to step up if required.

“As we’ve all seen over the last 18 months a lot can happen in a fortnight with this pandemic (but) the NRL knows the Palaszczuk Government is always ready, willing, and able to provide a home for the State of Origin,” he said.

“Our door is always open to the NRL.

“Although right now our focus is on great game of Origin football at Suncorp Stadium tonight and a Maroons win to keep the series alive for Queensland.”

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said there were several options for Game three.

“Our default position is to play at Stadium Australia, (but) we will be ready for all scenarios,” he said.

“One option my be to play at a regional venue in NSW. A third option may be to play in another state.

“It’s too early to say.”

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