State of Origin: NSW Blues to visit Lismore for July training session

Residents in the flood-ravaged towns of the Northern Rivers are hoping their fields are drained and ready for a visit by the NSW Origin side before Game III. See when they will arrive.

The biggest show this winter is coming to Lismore.

The NSW State of Origin side will be headed to the region that was devastated by floods in February and March for a training session on July 5 and charity events to help with the recovery.

While the session is locked in for their preparation for game three of the series, supporters and council are sweating on the state of the pitch at Oakes Oval in the hope that it is suitable for the elite athletes to train on.

The local rugby league side Marist Brothers Rams Lismore have been playing on the oval but representatives from the club say it resembles more of a muddy mess.

The oval and its adjoining fields, Crozier and Blair fields were completely inundated by metres of water during both major floods earlier this year.

Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai of the Blues will be heading to Lismore on July 5. Picture: Ian Hitchcock.

Lismore City Council confirmed the Blues will touch down in July.

“At the time (of the floods) the NSW Blues promised to return for an open training session at Lismore’s Oakes Oval in preparation for the final State of Origin game at Suncorp Stadium, as well as a flood fundraising event,” Lismore City general manager John Walker said.

“Council is very pleased to announce that the open training session will be held on Tuesday, 5 July.

NRL matches have previously been played on Oakes Oval and specialists will arrive to inspect the pitches and facilities for their suitability.

Uralba Street Lismore when water covered Mortimer Oval on 30 March 2022.

“The NSWRL is proud of its community ties and is dedicated to provide ongoing support for flood-affected areas around our great state,” NSWRL Chief Commercial Officer Jodie Cross said.

“The town of Lismore has been through so much with the horrendous floods and we wanted to ensure they have the full support of the Rugby League Community, with today’s visit hopefully helping to raise spirits as well as an extra set of hands to help out.”

NSW Rugby League will announce if the Blues will continue their training sessions at their Kingscliff base closer to the third match of the Origin Series

It will not be the first time the former rugby league players have come to Lismore since the flood.

Ex-NRL great Boyd Cordner visited Lismore Showgrounds with rugby balls, jerseys and other gifts for the community as part of New South Wales Rugby League's flood appeal Picture: Nicholas Rupolo

Former NRL stars Boyd Cordner, Nathan Hindmarsh and Steve Menzies, Pat Richards and Ethan Lowe visited Lismore Showgrounds in mid-March to meet fans, hand out memorabilia and help out at the Distribution Centre.

The NSWRL announced a flood relief package worth more than $600,000 to assist Rugby League communities across NSW, particularly in northern NSW.

Multiple Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League clubs have accessed the NSWRL flood package but some are still waiting for payments to arrive.