High hopes that Origin III could surpass 27, 227 Cbus attendance record set in 2009

A decade-long attendance record dating back to the Titans and Broncos’ first NRL finals meeting could be broken on Wednesday night when Cbus Super Stadium hosts State of Origin. THE MAGIC NUMBER >>>

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IT HAS been more than a decade since Cbus Super Stadium welcomed in excess of 27,000 fans through its turnstiles and an impromptu State of Origin could be just the ticket to making history.

Only three times in the Robina venue’s 13-year history has it eclipsed that mark, most recently on September 10, 2010 when the Titans defeated the Warriors 28-16 in front of 27,026 fans during week one of the finals.

The largest-ever crowd stands at 27, 227 for the Titans’ elimination final against the Broncos in 2009, beating out the previous mark of 27, 176 set by the same two teams the previous year.

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Chris Walker celebrates the Titans' second try during the Qualifying Final between the Gold Coast Titans and Brisbane Broncos at Skilled Park Stadium on September 12, 2009. The crowd of 27, 227 remains a venue attendance record. Photo: Colin Whelan AAP

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Titans prop Jarrod Wallace was there in 2018 for Jonathan Thurston’s last-ever NRL game, which drew a crowd of 26, 681 to rank sixth all-time at the venue.

He believes the first State of Origin to be held on the Gold Coast has the potential to break the attendance record set by the Titans and Broncos in 2009 and possibly push the 27, 690 seat capacity.

“I definitely think it’s a high possibility and high chance, being an Origin,” said Wallace, who has six Queensland caps to his name.

“We’ve had some great crowds in the past – JT’s last-ever game and when Jarryd Hayne first came back (come to mind).

“We’ve got a photo on the wall of JT’s last game and it looks close (to capacity).”

Former Gold Coast Titan and Maroons player Ash Harrison believes it’s now or never for Cbus Super Stadium to host a sellout crowd. Photo: File

Former Titans forward and 15-times Maroons representative Ash Harrison said it was now or never for Cbus to host a sellout crowd.

“If we can’t pack it out for Origin we’ll never pack it out,” he said.

“It’s an opportunity for all Gold Coasters to get behind, support Queensland … get along to what’s probably going to be a once in a lifetime (opportunity).”

Titans general manager of football and four-time Blues representative Anthony Laffranchi agreed.

“There’s genuine excitement,” he said.

“Fingers crossed it sells out. It would be good for Origin but especially the Gold Coast.”