State of Origin 2021: Decision on MCG match due in next 24 hours (theage.com.au)
Will know by this time tomorrow - but a few places inc Adelaide putting their hand up..
Australia Rugby League Commission boss Peter V’landys says the NRL will decide in the next 24 hours whether to move the first State of Origin to avoid a potentially crowdless fixture.
Canberra, Adelaide and Perth have all put their hands up to host in the event the match needs to be relocated as Victorian public health and emergency officials continue to debate whether greater COVID-19 restrictions need to be implemented.
V’landys said the NRL would be consulting with a number of biosecurity experts over the next 24 hours and would make a call after seeing the number of cases on Thursday.
“There are a few options but we will wait to see in the next 24 hours to see what occurs, there are six or seven options we could take,” he said.
“We will decide in the next 24 hours after speaking with our biosecurity experts and looking at the data. Every decision we’ve made with COVID, which has proven successful, is to look at the data.”
V’landys said the preference was to honour the contract with the Victorian Government in keeping the game in Melbourne but said ticket sales had taken a massive hit as a result of the outbreak.
The ARLC boss said the NRL was also considering charter flights to fly players in and out of Melbourne as well as tightening restrictions on the players ahead of the June 9 fixture.
“There is no doubt the threat of COVID always has an effect on ticket sales,” he said.
“There is a strong possibility we might leave it there even if there is a lesser crowd ... but naturally we want crowds for State of Origin.”
The MCG game has already seen sluggish ticket sales. CREDIT:GETTY IMAGES
Earlier in the week, NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said the game was looking to host the first game in a neutral state if it was to be moved.
V’landys said there was “no doubt” each of the cities was eager to host the event.
A spokeswoman for
Adelaide Oval said the venue would be delighted to be considered if the situation occurred.
“We hope for everyone’s sake that COVID doesn’t result in the need for a change of venue,” she said.
“However, if it did, we would welcome the opportunity to discuss Adelaide Oval’s ability to host game one.”
On Tuesday, Perth also put their hand in the ring. A spokeswoman for
Optus Stadium said the new venue would be able to do so at short notice after hosting a State of Origin match in 2019. Perth is set to host a fixture again next year.
“In the event that COVID-19 restrictions mean it is unable for game one to go ahead as planned in Melbourne, Optus Stadium has the experience and would be willing to work with the State of Origin to investigate the possibility of hosting the game in Perth subject to the latest health advice,” she said.
