‘They’ll be buggered’: Fan roast NSW Blues’ never-ending Origin walk

It took an eternity for the Blues to make their way onto the field for Origin III, and their pre-game ritual was roasted by fans.

The Blues walked a long way from the Centre of Excellence.

It was hard to ignore three words in the pre-match coverage for State of Origin III — NSW’s Centre of Excellence.

The Channel 9 commentary team talked up the NSWRL’s new Centre of Excellence and the Olympic walk into Accor stadium, but fans are questioning just how far they had to walk.

Located across the road from Accor Stadium on Dawn Fraser Avenue, the facility was opened in 2019 to much fanfare.

Watch every game of every round of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

The Blues trained there in the lead-up to Game III — their only home game of the series.

But while the Maroons were putting their jerseys and boots on, the Blues team were already making the long walk through the Olympic tunnel and out on to the field.

Former NSW skipper Paul Gallen was talking up the tunnel, with the walls adorned with images of Blues legends.

“This would be amazing to walk down this tunnel to hear them blaring and the legends on the wall of those who played for NSW over the years and out there in front of 70, 80,000 fans,” Gallen said.

Hopefully the Blues put the walk on their Strava. Photo: Channel 9.

It took the Blues an eternity to get on the field. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

“It would be spine-tingling, if this doesn’t get you fired up nothing can get you fired up.”

The cameras continued to cut back to the Blues team, led by James Tedesco as it seemingly took them an eternity to get onto the field.

Host James Bracey said: “The Blues, the trudge over from the centre of excellence continues”

“They’re still walking? They’ll be buggered,” Paul Vautin joked in commentary.

As they were about to run out for the match, it didn’t seem that important for the Blues to get their steps in, but the side seemed to be coming from a mile away.

It raised some eyebrows for fans as well, who couldn’t see the point of the walk.

That tunnel is so well signposted. #Originpic.twitter.com/TUSY1BYRvu

— Sportsbet.com.au (@sportsbetcomau) July 12, 2023

NSW gonna be gassed by the time they walk from centre of excellence to Accor stadium

— Trent (@trentwaugh) July 12, 2023

NSW doing a walk for charity pregame…. Is the centre of excellence in the same postcode? #Origin

— Glen Edwards (@glene) July 12, 2023

If they are going to insist NSW head over to Accor from the Centre of Excellence they really should invest in these things a la Wrestlemania 3 #Originpic.twitter.com/DwqAfw3J5S

— Julian Marcus (@JulianMarcus32) July 12, 2023

Blues have started their 30 minute walk from the Centre of Excellence. So kick off at 8:31 then. #Origin

— ｈｏｕｓｈｉｍｏｋｏ (@housh45) July 12, 2023

NSW walking across Dawn Fraser avenue to Accor Stadium...

Even Sydney Trains would've got them to Accor quicker than this as kick-off time is going to be a little while yet

— LeagueUnlimited.com (@LeagueUnlimited) July 12, 2023

The walk from the Centre Of Excellence is deadset Spinal Tap stuff. Hilarious. If you’re looking for symbols of hubris you don’t have to look far. They left while Queensland were still getting dressed! :)

— âš¡Steve Mascord☠️ (@SteveMascord) July 12, 2023

The long walk seemed to do no harm as NSW looked like a completely different team in the first half as they took a 18-10 lead into the break with Cody Walker on fire.

The Blues scored three tries in the space of 10 minutes through Brian To’o, debutant Bradman Best and a piece of chip-and-chase brilliance by Josh Addo-Carr.

But Queensland stayed in touch thanks to tries to David Fifita and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, who has scored in every game this series.

The Blues hung on for a 24-10 consolation win to ensure the series ended 2-1 in Queensland’s favour.

Originally published as ‘They’ll be buggered’: Fan roast NSW Blues’ never-ending Origin walk