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Souths game to Newcastle, Origin to follow

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South Sydney’s Friday night NRL clash with North Queensland will be moved to Newcastle, with the regional city also set to host State of Origin III next week.

Originally scheduled for Stadium Australia, it’s believed the Queensland government pushed to have Friday’s game moved after a venue in Olympic Park became a COVID-19 exposure site.

The shift means a 50% crowd can also attend the match, rather than playing behind closed doors in Sydney.

It will mark the second game moved to the Hunter in the space of the week, but a far bigger date now awaits.

An announcement on the venue for the Origin series finale is also expected on Wednesday, after the lockdown on Greater Sydney was extended into a third week. 

The NRL considered playing a third game next Wednesday in Queensland, with the Gold Coast an option, while Canberra and Melbourne were also in the mix.

However, McDonald Jones Stadium was the preferred option for the dead rubber with NSW already winning the opening two matches, which were both played in Queensland.

The capacity of the Newcastle venue is 33,000, with a 50% capacity limit so far in place for next week.

Last month, Newcastle Knights legend and Eighth Immortal Andrew Johns said he fully-supported an Origin move to McDonald Jones Stadium if the need arose.

“How good would that be?” he stated.

“The Hunter loves its rugby league.

“I think Newcastle would welcome the prospect with open arms; just look at the way Townsville embraced the first game this year.”

  • with Rod Thompson

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