State of Origin: Andrew Johns grounded after Covid outbreak

Andrew Johns will be missing from Channel 9’s Suncorp Stadium coverage for State of Origin Game Two.

Andrew Johns for Old Boys' Day during the round 13 NRL match between the Newcastle Knights and the Parramatta Eels at McDonald Jones Stadium, on June 06, 2021, in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)

League immortal Andrew Johns has been grounded from Channel 9’s State of Origin commentary team at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday night.

The former NSW Blues area lives in the Waverley Local Government area which is classified as a Covid hot spot and prevented him from flying to Brisbane with the rest of the Nine commentary team before the border closure.

John is now expected to call the game out of Nine’s North Sydney studios, alongside Ray Warren who will be calling his 98th Origin game.

“I’ll have to wait and speak to the bosses at Nine,” Johns told The Daily Telegraph.

“There’s nothing like being there in Brisbane on Origin night but all networks have covered a number of games off the TV over the last 12 months. What can you do.”

Johns worked on the sideline for Channel 9 in the opening game of the series in Townsville

Andrew Johns has been grounded from Channel 9’s commentary team. Picture: Ashley Feder/Getty Images

Earlier, a high-profile Brisbane commentator has created a State of Origin storm by suggesting the Maroons should take out Blues superstar Tom Trbojevic in Sunday night’s game.

Ben Dobbin is Brisbane’s voice of sport on Channel 9 and Triple M and claims it was all a lighthearted FM radio joke.

Sadly for Dobbin the NRL didn’t get the joke and have called for the audio. Independent commssion chairman Peter V’landys has also phoned Dobbin to voice his concerns.

“I do not condone violence whatsoever and I understand the NRL are trying to clean up the game,” Dobbin said on radio on Friday morning.

“But it’s fair to say the Gold Coast Titans aren’t going to win the premiership this year.’

“So If I’m Paul Green I’m going to say to Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, ‘mate you’re representing Queensland on Sunday night and you’ve got one job and that’s to take Turbo, Tommy Trbojevic, out in the first or second minute’.

Tom Trbojevic in action for the Blues during State of Origin Game One. Picture: Adam Head

“You’re going to do nine or 10 weeks on the sideline but it doesn’t matter.

“That’s the only way Queensland are going to win by taking Tommy out.”

Dobbin said today it was lighthearted.

“It was only a joke,” Dobbin said.

“As if in any way I’d encourage violence.

“It’s breakfast FM radio for goodness sake. We were having some fun.

“Tommy is the best in the world. In no way was it a serious comment. I hope people can see it was lighthearted banter and in no way meant to be serious.”

Originally published as State of Origin: Andrew Johns grounded after Covid outbreak