Queensland wants to host two home State of Origin games
The NRL grand final isn’t enough for Queensland. Now Suncorp Stadium is planning to light the blue-touch paper for cross-border hostilities by taking two State of Origin games to Brisbane.
Maroons
Don't miss out on the headlines from Maroons. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Warriors given clearance for Tamworth ‘fortress’
- Queensland will open border for NRL on one condition
Queensland has launched an audacious bid to snatch two home State of Origin games this year in a move that will infuriate New South Wales and ignite cross-border hostilities.
The Sunday Mail can reveal Suncorp Stadium officials are keen to host two of this year's historic November Origin fixtures on the back of COVID-19 prompting a series overhaul.
A fortnight ago there were fears Queensland would miss out on hosting a game of this year's historic 40-year anniversary series after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk cast doubt over the series being able to go ahead.
But the NRL has postponed the traditional mid-year three-game series until after the 2020 premiership season is completed in late October, prompting Palaszczuk to change her tune and demand a game in Queensland.
Relive classic NRL matches from the 60s to today on KAYO SPORTS. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
The series date change has presented a number of logistical challenges for NSW venues, opening the door for Queensland to try and snare two home games
The Blues' home ground, ANZ Stadium, is scheduled to begin major renovations in July and Allianz Stadium has already been demolished.
The Sydney Cricket Ground is scheduled to host the T20 World Cup from October 24, ruling it out of contention to host the grand final and Origin games if the cricket tournament is not postponed.
The opening game of this year's Origin series was to be played at the Adelaide Oval for the first time on June 3, but the postponement has killed that and it is also a World Cup venue.
The series has included one neutral venue over the past two years, with Melbourne (2018) and Perth (2019) hosting matches along with one in Brisbane and Sydney each series.
The last team to enjoy a two-game advantage at home was Queensland in 2017, the last series the Maroons won, with the Blues having not featured twice in Sydney since 2016.
But that won't stop Suncorp Stadium from fighting to bring two games to Queensland this year.
LISTEN! The NRL podcast is back. Adam Mobbs is joined by Phil Rothfield and Michael Carayannis to talk why Latrell Mitchell was hard done by, Nathan Cleary’s omission of fact and that Queensland Grand Final bid.
“We’d definitely be interested in two games," said stadium boss Alan Graham.
“If other venues are not available because of cricket commitments then we would definitely be available.
“We will certainly have our hand up for a couple of games.
“We will keep trying and let them know we are here."
In Origin's 40-year history, Queensland has hosted 58 games, NSW has been home to 48 and 11 matches have been played at neutral venues.
The series was traditionally split between the two states, but the NRL has looked to take the concept across the country over the past few years to extend the game's reach.
Queensland Rugby League chairman Bruce Hatcher said the Maroons would support Suncorp's bid for two games in Brisbane this year.
MORE NEWS
Jason Akermanis opens up about the biggest moments that saw him sacked from two AFL clubs
“Absolutely we will support that," he said.
“I can’t imagine the probability will be that high, but if it’s Alan Graham’s initiative we will support it wholly. There is a pretty compelling case for at least one game up here.
“I’ve always had the view that it is the fans you have to cater for.
“While it’s great to think purely of gates, my view is you never take your game away from the people who have made you so strong.
“We’d host three games up here if we could but the probability of that is not great.
“If I had any control over it there’d be no way I’d be giving NSW another home ground advantage for the sake of it.
“The most desirable thing would be to go back to the old format of home-and-away which squares off over time with a home ground advantage."
Originally published as Queensland wants to host two home State of Origin games