Suncorp Stadium will be full for the final game of State of Origin

The full house sign is set to go up at Suncorp Stadium after the Queensland premier gave the green light for 100 per cent capacity.

Suncorp Stadium is set to be filled for State of Origin III. Picture: Annette Dew

The house full sign is set to go up at Suncorp Stadium for the first time this season. Queensland’s quest to win back the State of Origin shield has been given a helping hand by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who on Friday announced that the spiritual home of the Maroons would be at 100 per cent capacity for Wednesday night’s decider.

The news was a significant boost for embattled Queensland and a million-dollar fillip for the NRL. They will now be able to sell an extra 12,000 tickets, generating more cash for the code at a time when the game needs it most. The series decider will be played before a crowd baying for NSW blood.

“We’re ecstatic about it because it certainly is going to make it a game to remember in 2020,” ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys said.

“Hopefully some people from regional NSW can get there was well.”

Rugby leaue fans have thd chance to be part of one of the biggest sporting events in the world post-Covid

Chief executive Andrew Abdo added: “It is a chance for us to have one of the biggest sporting events in the world post-Covid. We don’t have a lot of time (to sell tickets).

“We’re going to have to get moving.”

“This is an outstanding opportunity for more of our fans to be part of something special.

“Wednesday night’s game will be the biggest crowd in Australia since the Covid suspension and rugby league will be the first sport to play at a major venue in Australia with 100 per cent capacity available.

“It has been an extraordinary season and remarkable that our final game of the year will be an Origin decider with no crowd cap. It’s amazing to think how far the game has come since the competition was suspended in March.”

Queensland fans are expected to snap up the tickets in a heartbeat as they flood Suncorp Stadium in the hope of witnessing a monumental upset.

The Maroons are coming off one of their most disappointing performances in recent memory but Suncorp Stadium has been a graveyard for NSW sides over the years — the Maroons have won 11 of the past 13 games at the ground and eight of the 11 deciders.

They are banking on history repeating, their goal given a helping hand thanks to the premier. Queensland Rugby League chief executive Bruce Hatcher had told The Australian no Thursday that he planned to approach the government over increasing the attendance for next week’s game.

He got his wish when the premier confirmed it would be at 100 per cent capacity on Friday morning.

“Here is a good one all Queenslanders will be happy about,” premier Palaszczuk said.

“The increase in seated capacity (for open air stadiums) will go from 75 to 100 per cent. This means The Cauldron can be filled to 100 per cent capacity for State of Origin next Wednesday night.

“If you don’t have a ticket yet, hopefully more tickets can be released. Let’s fill that cauldron and cheer our mighty Maroons on.”

Hatcher couldn’t be happier.

“That will make a difference to the atmosphere,” he said.

“I have been to a lot of sports events around the world and nothing beats a full house in a decider at Suncorp.”

Queensland coach Wayne Bennett named his side for the decider on Friday afternoon and five-eighth Cameron Munster was included despite suffering a head knock that sidelined him early in Origin II.

Munster’s health will be watched closely by the NRL this week given they are still dealing with the fallout from Origin I, when Blues captain Boyd Cordner was allowed to return to the field after undergoing a head injury assessment in the opening half.

The NRL ordered an investigation into the incident and on Friday they issued the NSW Rugby League with a formal warning over their handling of Cordner.

Cordner withdrew from the remainder of the series after Origin I at the Adelaide Oval, having lost his balance and stumbled after collecting the elbow and hip of Queensland forward Felise Kaufusi.

He returned to the fray, prompting howls of protest on social media and a backlash from brain experts. The NRL conducted their own investigation into the matter and found that Cordner should not have been allowed to return.

“Under the NRL’s operations manual players who exhibit symptoms, such as motor incoordination, must be classified as a category one injury and not be permitted to return to the field, regardless of the outcome of the SCAT assessment,” the NRL statement said.

“In reaching the decision the NRL took into account the subjective nature in classifying some symptoms. The NRL acknowledges the professionalism of all medical staff involved in the game.

Abdo added: “In our view Boyd should not have been allowed to return to the field. Our chief medical officer spoke directly with both NSW and Queensland medical staff prior to Wednesday night’s game and reminded them of our high expectations in this area.”