State of Origin 2017: Fans descend on ANZ Stadium from all over New South Wales ahead of Origin II
BLUES fans will pour into ANZ Stadium from as far away as Broken Hill to watch New South Wales attempt to wrap up the series.
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LAURIE Daley has urged NSW fans to rally around the Blues to ensure the “Full House” is displayed proudly at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday night, unlike Suncorp Stadium in Origin I.
In the countdown to Origin II at ANZ Stadium, only a few thousand tickets still remain for what could be only the second Blues series triumph in 12 years.
And this year, the NRL has also unveiled a unique tracking map which shows where the tickets are being snapped up — with Broken Hill one of the more far-flung locations.
In Sydney, which accounts for 65 per cent of ticket purchases, the heaviest number have been sold in the northwestern region, roughly 20 per cent.
Southern Sydney is next best with almost 16 per cent.
“With only one home game this year, it’s never been more important for the whole of the state to be united,’’ Daley said. “We face a greater challenge Wednesday night than we did in the series opener, so it’s vital for the whole state to be united behind this team.”
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Quizzed on fans making the 2200km round trip from Broken Hill to attend, Daley continued: “I think it’s wonderful to see we will have fans coming in from so far and wide across NSW.
“And I can tell you every player appreciates that support and we’ll need it next Wednesday night.”
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian also urged Blues fans to fill the Olympic venue.
“With only one game in Sydney this year, we want to see ANZ Stadium full,” she said.
Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium had around 2000 empty seats for the series opener, won in crushing style 28-4 by the Blues.
Originally published as State of Origin 2017: Fans descend on ANZ Stadium from all over New South Wales ahead of Origin II
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