Adelaide could now host its inaugural State of Origin in November as NRL doubles down on negotiations with government
Adelaide Oval’s hopes of staging a maiden State of Origin clash are firming, after the coronavirus outbreak initially sabotaged its game one hosting rights.
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State of Origin can make its Adelaide Oval debut pending medical clearance as the NRL, state government and Stadium Management Authority revive event negotiations.
Adelaide has gone from losing its coveted game one slot on June 3 through COVID-19 to a real shot of hosting an Origin blockbuster between New South Wales and Queensland on November 4, 11 or 18.
“We have been in constant dialogue with South Australian Tourism Commission around the State of Origin in Adelaide,” an NRL spokesperson told The Advertiser.
“Circumstances made playing on the original June 3 date impossible, however we are still working through the ability to take the biggest sporting rivalry in Australia to South Australia.
“Playing Origin in Adelaide remains an option for 2020 although clearly we will be guided by restrictions around interstate travel, mass gatherings and venue availability.”
In a crucial development, a government spokesperson confirmed Origin could be played without a crowd in Adelaide if required.
The state government reportedly out-layed between $5-8 million to stage Origin wanting to generate $15 million from an expected 10,000 travelling Blues and Maroons fans.
Optimism around Origin crowds by November are increasing daily as South Australia continues its strong work against COVID-19.
Significant broadcast exposure would still sell South Australia’s brand without a crowd.
Cricket Australia’s request for the ICC Twenty20 World Cup to be postponed until next year has cleared the decks for the grudge match between Brad Fittler’s Blues and Kevin Walters Maroons at Adelaide Oval. It’s a case of better late than never.
“We are still talking with the NRL about coming to Adelaide. Obviously there are a range of factors to consider within that discussion. We are hopeful to have this finalised in the coming weeks,” said Events SA executive director Hitaf Rasheed.
“We anticipated a great spectacle, with more than 10,000 visitors coming to South Australia for the event.
“The NRL have now put down dates for the State of Origin, including a November 4, 2020 date for Game 1.”
South Australian Premier Steven Marshall has already flagged a travel bubble with Canberra and Tasmania by the July school holidays.
A Trans-Tasman travel bubble could be confirmed with New Zealand this week.
Cricket controls Adelaide Oval from October 8 but SACA chief executive Keith Bradshaw is ‘willing to work’ with codes including rugby league to accommodate fixtures at Adelaide Oval.
SMA general manager Darren Chandler said Origin in Adelaide hinged on government approval.
“Cricket will have to give the nod and are working through their schedule. The government would need to support and be comfortable coming to a commercial agreement with the NRL,” said Chandler.
“If those happen, it (Origin) could still happen.”
The SMA is hopeful crowds could soon attend fixtures at Adelaide Oval.
“We would love to see crowds back as soon as possible and obviously that needs to be done in a staged approach. That will be the decision of SA Health,” said Chandler.
Adelaide Oval curator Damian Hough would have to shave the venue’s outfield if a Sheffield Shield match was to follow Origin or AFL fixtures in November. Otherwise Shield games could be moved to Karen Rolton Oval.
The Origin series will be played uninterrupted for the first time in its celebrated 40 year history following the October 25 NRL grand final.
Originally published as Adelaide could now host its inaugural State of Origin in November as NRL doubles down on negotiations with government