State of Origin spy-gate: NSW launch investigation after Blues training secretly filmed

The Blues are using drone footage to try and identify who filmed their private training session in Brisbane as accusations of espionage mar the build-up to the State of Origin series.

The Blues have launched an investigation into this vision.

An angry NSW camp will scour their aerial drone footage in an attempt to identify the culprit who filmed and later leaked vision of a private Blues training session in Brisbane on Monday.

NSW are desperate to identify the alleged spy amid suggestions the Blues may now shut down access to all training sessions for the remainder of this year’s State of Origin series.

The Blues trained at Brisbane’s Ballymore Stadium on Monday, allowing the media to watch and film the first 15 minutes, as is usually the case, before asking them to leave the arena.

However, NSW were filthy when vision of centre Stephen Crichton hobbling from the field with a corked thigh appeared on media websites shortly after training, sending them on a mission to locate the mole.

The Blues have major concerns around how much of their session was actually filmed and where the vision may have ultimately been sent.

NSW fear it could even have found its way to the Queensland side.

Origin spy-gate has added a thick layer of clandestine intrigue ahead of the series opener on Wednesday night.

With the media being ushered out of training after 15 minutes, NSW players delved into their preparation tactically in what they thought was a private session.

Little did they know they were being filmed.

The vision of Stephen Crichton limping from the field at Ballymore has raised concerns in Blues camp.

High-performance staff from the NSW camp filmed training from a drone above Ballymore.

They were canvassing the drone vision late on Monday in a bid to pinpoint who shot the video, presumably with a mobile phone.

Vision of Crichton coming off the field appeared to be filmed from high up in Ballymore’s McLean Stand. The recording clearly zeroed in on a limping Crichton as he was being ushered off the training paddock.

It appears the vision was recorded from near Queensland Rugby Union’s headquarters, located in the McLean Stand.

There is no suggestion that a QRU staff member shot the video.

The Blues are filthy and may now issue a blanket ban on anyone attending training.

NSW may opt to conduct media interviews after training back at the team hotel, not at their training grounds.

Media representatives were on ground level at Ballymore covering training on Monday morning and appeared to all respect the Blues’ no-vision policy after the opening 15 minutes of the session elapsed.

One source close to the NSW camp said: “We allow people in and then this happens. We will look at the drone vision to see if we can find out who took the vision.

“Maybe next time we just won’t allow anyone into our training sessions.”

Blues coach Laurie Daley is determined to get to the bottom of the drama. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Another source said: “I wonder how much vision was filmed?”

The Blues are used to dealing with what they consider coincidences whenever they cross the border into enemy territory.

Coach Laurie Daley jokingly revealed that when the Blues landed at Brisbane airport on Sunday afternoon, that the team’s bags were the last ones loaded onto the baggage carousel inside the terminal.

At this point, media are still invited to attend Tuesday’s captain’s run at Suncorp Stadium.

Originally published as State of Origin spy-gate: NSW launch investigation after Blues training secretly filmed