State of Origin III relocated again amid Sydney’s Covid-19 outbreak

The NRL has backflipped on its decision to move Origin III to Newcastle, instead announcing another city would host the series’ third game.

The Blues have already secured the series with emphatic wins in the first two games. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

The NRL has been forced to relocate Origin III for the second time this week, announcing on Saturday evening that the third game of the series would be played on the Gold Coast rather than in Newcastle.

As Sydney scrambles to contain its outbreak of Covid-19, the NRL moved on Wednesday to shift the game up the M1 and into Knights territory.

However, the league backflipped on Saturday, annnouncing that the NSW Government had blocked the venue change out of fear it could spread Covid-19 to Newcastle and surrounding areas.

Instead, a capacity crowd of 27,000 will be permitted at Gold Coast’s Cbus Staduim for the game on Wednesday.

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said he was “disappointed” with the last-minute change but said the NRL had no choice but to comply with health directives.

“We are disappointed not to be able to give Newcastle the city’s first State of Origin, but we must operate within all State Public Health Orders and not having a crowd in Newcastle negates the opportunity for our fans from the region,’’ he said.

“The Gold Coast is an important market for us and in the current circumstances presents a safe outcome for the community and a great outcome for our fans in southeast Queensland.

“It does mean all three games are played in Queensland, but our priority is ensuring the safety of the community and the continuity of the competition.”

The move means the 2021 series will be the first in history to have all three games played in the one state, and the first to have two games played outside Australian state capital cities.

The NRL is expected to release ticketing information in the coming days.

Queensland lost the first two games of the series by a combined score of 76-6. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

As they look to avoid a series whitewash, the Maroons have endured an interrupted week in Origin camp.

On Thursday, star forward Jai Arrow was punted from the side’s Covid bubble and fined $35,000 after bringing an unauthorised female guest into camp.

“My first reaction was, how stupid? How stupid can you be?” Maroons legend Corey Parker said of the breach.

“You’re pulling on a Maroons jersey, you’re pulling on a Maroons jersey and in my opinion you’re showing disrespect to that jersey by the fact you’ve put yourself before the team.

“That’s the most disappointing thing.”

The following day, Queensland coach Paul Green made a brief statement about the breach before storming out of his press conference, refusing to take questions and leaving senior players to front the media.

The Maroons are already having to contend without Titans wrecking ball David Fifita for the game, after he was suspended for dangerous contact in round 16.

In better news for the home side, Kalyn Ponga will return to the fray for his first Origin game since 2019.

The Blues are welcoming back an influential star of their own — Storm enforcer Dale Finucane is set to line up as vice-captain in his first game of the 2021 series.

Mitchell Moses and Api Koroisau will make their debuts for the Blues in Game III, while Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Thomas Flegler have both earned the nod for the Queenslanders.

Originally published as State of Origin III relocated again amid Sydney’s Covid-19 outbreak