Third State of Origin clash is moved out of Sydney as lockdown is extended another week by coronavirus outbreak – but new venue is still in rugby league heartland
State of Origin Game III has been moved to Newcastle as Sydney's lockdown is extended for another week.
McDonald Jones Stadium is expected to host the clash as fans eagerly await confirmation of the venue from the NRL.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Wednesday announced Sydney would continue its lockdown until July 16 after the state recorded another 27 Covid-19 cases.
The NSW Blues already won the three-match series 2-0 over the Maroons after games at Townsville and Brisbane last month, but won't have a chance at 3-0 in Sydney
The extended lockdown ruled out Sydney Olympic Park stadium as the host for the Origin finale on July 14.
Newcastle was instead chosen to host the game over rival cities Canberra and Melbourne, the Daily Telegraph reported.
The NSW Blues already won the three-match series 2-0 over the Maroons after games at Townsville and Brisbane last month.
Venue capacity for the game is expected to be limited to 75 per cent, allowing up to 24,000 fans to attend.
Origin Game III is set to be moved to McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle after Sydney's Covid-19 is extended until July 16
Friday's NRL clash between South Sydney and North Queensland was also moved from Homebush to Newcastle when Sydney's Olympic Park turned into a Covid-19 exposure site.
'Major events — not just Origin, is what the people of Newcastle deserve,' Newcastle Knights general manager Danny Buderus told the Telegraph.
'It would be the biggest event since Joey (Andrew Johns) crowd surfed with the Screaming Jets after the ‘97 grand final.'
Origin's finale move is another devastating blow for Sydneysiders after lockdown orders were expected to lift on July 9.
The lockdown extension applies to the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Shellharbour and Wollongong, while regional NSW residents will have to continue wearing masks.
