Gary Larson and Greg Consecu slam decision to take State of Origin to Adelaide

TWO Queensland State of Origin legends greats have slammed the NRL’s decision to take an Origin match to AFL-obsessed Adelaide in 2020.

QUEENSLAND greats have slammed the NRL’s decision to take a State of Origin game to AFL-obsessed Adelaide in 2020.

The decision is part of a push by the NRL to take the game to new markets and follows last year’s announcement that one of the 2019 Origin series matches will be played in Perth.

Queensland will host only one game at Suncorp Stadium in each of the next three series, a move slammed by 24-game legend Gary Larson and the respected 1980s hooker Greg Conescu, who said the scheduling for 2018-20 had become subject to a “Dutch auction’’ for State Governments.

Melbourne has a professional league presence in the highly-successful Storm, however the NRL has no public plans to introduce teams in Perth or Adelaide.

Larson once held the record for consecutive Origin matches.

“I can see why they want to spread the word but it takes it away from the core supporters,” Larson said.

“Origin belongs in Queensland and New South Wales. I’m not in favour of it.

“Play NRL games there and get it going. Make people aware of the game, as they have in the past.

“There is an NRL team in Melbourne and they have been very successful. Melbourne has earnt the right to have an Origin game.

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“I can understand it if they have an NRL team in Adelaide.”

Perth is seen as a major contender to host any NRL expansion club, but Adelaide is a smaller city and has a less dynamic business community.

“I could see the sense in Perth because it’s been mooted as an (NRL) expansion city, Melbourne has the Storm and is a big city, but it’s surprising to be going to Adelaide of all places,’’ Conescu said.

“Taking an Origin game there is not about growing the game. They put the game in Adelaide back 20 years by taking the Rams out (in 1998).

“It’s become a bit of a Dutch auction and it’s disappointing for the true league fans.

“If you were really serious of growing the game you’d take an Origin game to Townsville but their new stadium is supposed to be only 25,000 (capacity).’’

Queensland coach Kevin Walters said the move would not faze his all-conquering Maroons, who have won 11 of the past 12 series.

“It’s great for the game, players and fans,” Walters said.

“There will still be a game at Suncorp for the Queenslanders to watch.

“Regardless of where you play, they are always tough games. Our blokes will be more than happy to come down and have a game. They’d play in a bindi field if they had to.’’

South Australia’s sports minister Leon Bignell said projections were for up to 30 per cent of all tickets to be sold to patrons from outside South Australia, with an economic impact of $15, which emphasises the question of how much good the match will do rugby league in the state.