Big win for NSW as State of Origin game locked in at the MCG
The Maroons can start claiming underdog status for next year’s State of Origin series, after the game two venue was announced.
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The Blues will have a big advantage in next year’s State of Origin series, with game two locked in for the MCG where they have a dominant record over the Maroons.
While Queensland has won the past two series under coach Billy Slater, the Maroons have a horror record at the MCG, winning just one of their five matches at the venue.
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That was way back in 1995, with the Blues winning the past three games at the ground, including a 22-12 triumph five years ago in Brad Fittler’s first game in charge.
Fittler won’t be there next year after he stepped down following a rollercoaster sixth series in charge, with Kiwis coach Michael Maguire expected to replace him, although that hasn’t been confirmed.
The match in Melbourne on June 26 is the second game of the series, with the opener reportedly to be played in Sydney, which would mean the Blues could win back the trophy before they head to Queensland.
A record 91,513 fans saw the Blues beat the Maroons in 2015, with more than 87,000 supporters rocking up three years later, which is why the NRL is confident of another huge crowd, with tickets officially going on sale on Wednesday.
“State of Origin has had some amazing moments in Melbourne, from the first game held at the MCG in 1994 right up until the last game in 2018,” NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said.
“State of Origin is the biggest rivalry in Australian sport and to be able to play at the iconic MCG is a great opportunity for fans as we all eagerly await another captivating series in 2024.”
Maguire is expected to make his debut on home soil in the series opener, with NSW slated to host Queensland in Game One at Sydney’s Accor Stadium on Wednesday, June 5.
The MCG will stage the second game before Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium hosts Game Three on Wednesday, July 17, meaning the series will again be staged over its current six-week time frame.
Earlier this year, NRL club bosses raised the prospect of a four-week Origin calendar in 2024 to allay fears of player burnout and minimise disruption to the Telstra Premiership.
That proposal had the backing of the code’s greatest coach Bennett, as The Daily Telegraph reports, who devised his own scheduling model that could see State of Origin completed within 30 days.
But the NRL is maintaining the status quo to maximise coverage of the code’s $100 million showpiece event.
Bennett, who has had four stints as Queensland coach spanning 34 years, is adamant the six-week Origin season is too damaging to the NRL.
“We need a four-week Origin period,” Bennett told News Corp in September.
“The 2020 series (during Covid) was so enjoyable, we were together for three weeks and had the best time as a group.
“Six weeks is too long and it takes a huge toll on the clubs and players.
“They can have a 10-day period leading into Origin I and then for Origin II and III you have a seven-day break between games.
“It’s the hardest preparing for Game One, but seven days is long enough for the other two games.”
Originally published as Big win for NSW as State of Origin game locked in at the MCG
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