Tale of two states: Mask-less fans gather in Queensland for second State of Origin clash – with thousands of NSW supporters forced to skip the pub and watch from the couch
- Second State of Origin match for 2021 set to go ahead despite Covid concerns
- NSW won the first contest 50-6 when the two teams squared off in Townsville
- Fans have been ordered to wear masks when entering and leaving the ground
Tens of thousands of Queenslanders are piling into Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, for the second match in the 2021 State of Origin Series.
New South Wales won the first match in Townsville by a record margin of 50-6 – and now the Maroons are seeking revenge.
Tonight’s match will go ahead at 7:45pm as much of nation deals with a growing Covid crisis.
Sydneysiders, along with those from the Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Wollongong, are forced to cheer on the Blues from their couches after being ordered into a 14-day lockdown at midnight on Saturday.
Tens of thousands of Queenslanders are piling into Brisbane ‘s Suncorp Stadium, for the second match in the 2021 State of Origin Series
New South Wales won the first match in Townsville by a record margin of 50-6 – and now the Maroons are seeking revenge. Pictured: A Queensland fan carries a young NSW Blue supporter
On the northern side of the border, an unrelated cluster believed to be linked to a breach in hotel quarantine has now grown to three locally-acquired cases.
But despite the concern the match will go ahead as planned, with about 50,000 fans ordered to wear face mask.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk took to Twitter urging fans to take all the necessary precautions.
‘Masks must be worn on arrival to Suncorp Stadium and especially on exit,’ she wrote.
‘The only time you don’t need a mask is when you are seated.
‘Masks will be available on arrival.
‘Please check in using the Check In Qld app.
‘And if you are sick – stay home.’
Tonight’s match will go ahead at 7:45pm as much of nation deals with a growing Covid crisis. Pictured: Fans outside Suncorp stadium
A passionate Maroons fan is pictured alongside the statue of Queensland great Wally Lewis
In the lead up to the match much of the talk centered around rookie sensation Reece Walsh who was selected after just seven NRL games.