Fans pack Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium for State of Origin decider - with expected 52,000 crowd to be the biggest sporting attendance in the WORLD since global coronavirus pandemic took hold

Tonight's State of Origin decider is expected to be the biggest sporting event anywhere in the world since to coronavirus pandemic began.

More than 52,000 fans will pack into Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium for the highly-anticipated clash as New South Wales hunt three consecutive series victories.

But due to Queensland's strict coronavirus restrictions, no Blues fans will be able to make the trip from New South Wales.

Over 52,000 fans will pack into Brisbane 's Suncorp Stadium for Wednesday night's highly anticipated clash as New South Wales hunt three consecutive series victories

A Queensland fan dons a maroon scarf as she get ready to attend her first State of Origin match

The crowd arrives on mass for Game three of the State of Origin series in Brisbane

Rugby league die-hards descended on the iconic sporting ground full of energy after a long year of restricted crowd numbers.

Fans were so excited about the contest they flooded social media with selfies and posted messages in support of their state. 

At the ground it was a carnival atmosphere with almost the entire stadium made up of about 95 per cent Queensland supporters.

But there was a few brave Blues living in the state with enough courage to entire the Queensland Calderon.  

A few Blues supporters are pictured riling up opposition fans before the match

Rugby league die-hards descended on the iconic sporting ground full of energy after a long year of restricted crowd numbers

There was a few brave Blues living in the state with enough courage to entire the Queensland Calderon

Back in March it appeared the entire NRL season would have to be scrapped as the rate of infection skyrocketed across Australia and the rest of the world.

But after about eight weeks without any footy, the code returned to action at the end of May.

At the time it was one of the first sporting code's in the world to resume play and considered a highly controversial move.

Now the NRL can boast the largest sporting crowd since the deadly virus began. 

Game three got off to a dramatic start with Queensland winger Valentine Holmes diving over in the corner in spectacular fashion to score a try in just the third minute of the match.

But it didn’t take long for the Blues to hit back after debutant fullback Corey Allan dropped a NSW bomb and gifted a try to James Tedesco just five minutes later making it 6-6.

Shorty after in the 20th minute, disaster struck for Blues.

Tedesco, who is regarded as one of the world's best players, was knocked out after running the ball back from a kick return.

He slipped and collided with the legs of a Queensland chaser leaving him visually uneasy on his feet.

Moments later it was confirmed he will take no further part in the match. 

With the scores tied up, Queensland made it 12-6 moments before half-time through a cross-field Cameron Munster kick that was picked up by Edrick Lee. 

Tedesco, who is regarded as one of the world's best players, was knocked out after running the ball back from a kick return

Game three got off to a dramatic start with Queensland winger Valentine Holmes diving over in the corner in spectacular fashion to score a try in just the third minute of the match

Leading into Wednesday night's third State of Origin, the series remains on a knife's edge as the NSW Blues chase their third consecutive series win. 

The Maroons shocked NSW in the opening match at Adelaide Oval 18-14, after being labelled by prominent sports reporters and former Blues Captain Paul Gallen as 'the worst Queensland side in history'. 

When Origin II rolled around, coach Brad Fitler made a key change moving in-form interchange player Cody Walker to five-eight and dropping Rooster's half Luke Keary from the 17-man squad.

The shake-up paid dividends and the Blues steam-rolled the maroons in Sydney 34-10.

The NRL can boast the largest sporting crowd since the deadly virus began

Due to Queensland's strict coronavirus restriction, no Blues fans from New South Wales will be able to make the trip to Suncorp

State vs State, Mate vs Mate: Two friends get ready to attend tonight's highly anticipated clash

But although it was a comprehensive victory, the loss of Queensland five-eighth Cameron Munster in the opening minutes proved a major turning point in the contest.

The premiership-winning Melbourne Storm player was pivotal in the first match of the series but suffered a head knock in game two.

After being given the all-clear by doctors earlier this week, Munster is now set to take the field in the decider. 

The State of Origin is normally played in the mid-way through the season beginning in May, but his year the coronavirus pandemic saw the iconic sporting fixtures moved to the end of the regular season for the first time in the code's history. 

Pictured: A Queensland fan dressed head to toe in maroon snaps a picture before the decider

True Blue: Two New South Wales supports get prepared for a hostile Queensland crowd

Let's go QLD: A maroons supporter snaps a selfie ahead of tonight's epic clash

Another piece of history is also being made tonight.  

Legendary NRL commentator Ray 'Rabbits' Warren will be forced to call tonight's State of Origin decider in Queensland from Sydney TV studio, in a 54-year first.

The 77-year-old was not granted a Covid-19 travel exemption by the Queensland government to enter the Sunshine State.

Pictured: Commentator Ray Warren

Fellow Channel Nine commentator Andrew Johns along with the production crew, were permitted to cross the border for tonight's highly anticipated clash at Brisbane's Suncorp stadium.

Johns and the rest of the team left on a charter flight this morning at about 7am, while Warren stayed behind.

It will be the first time a top-flight rugby league match has been called from a remote location.

The Daily Telegraph reported that Warren had a practice run calling a replay of State of Origin II off a television monitor on Monday at the network's Willoughby studios.

'I wouldn't say I'm comfortable. I've never called off the tube in my 54 years,' Warren said.

'But in the climate that we're in, there are some things you have to do – some things people have to do. I think I can get through it okay.'

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk's Government would not allow some of the Channel Nine team from the greater Sydney region to avoid a 14-day quarantine period.

Channel Nine did have the option of replacing Warren in tonight's contest with a local Queensland commentator but the network decided to keep the veteran caller on the broadcast - which is expected to attract about three million viewers. 

Flames light up Suncorp Stadium ahead of State of Origin Game three 

Pictured: One of few Blues supporters in seen cheering on his state in Brisbane 

Pictured: A Queensland supporter dons a mohawk and face paint to show their support