ORIGIN SNUB
2020 Adelaide game ‘kick in the guts’
NORTH Queensland’s loyal rugby league fans are in shock after the NRL awarded a State of Origin game to Adelaide instead of Townsville.
The NRL yesterday announced Adelaide Oval would host an Origin clash in 2020, the same year Townsville’s new 25,000- seat stadium is due to be in service.
NORTH Queensland’s loyal rugby league fans are in shock after the NRL awarded a State of Origin game to Adelaide instead of Townsville.
The NRL yesterday announced Adelaide Oval would host an Origin clash in 2020, the same year Townsville’s new 25,000- seat stadium is due to be in service.
Sport Minister Mick de Brenni said the move was a “kick in the guts” for North Queensland fans who had been “extraordinarily loyal” to the sport.
“While most people accept that the era of two games per state is long gone, surely the NRL could have considered a one- off exception in the first year we have a purpose- built rugby league stadium in Townsville ,” he said.
Mayor Jenny Hill said the NRL had made a “dreadful decision” and called on the community to voice their anger.
“I am calling on North Queenslanders to band together and let the NRL know how bad this decision really is,” she said.
“Get on Townsville City Council’s Facebook page and add your name to those calling on the NRL to reconsider this awful decision.”
Herbert federal MP Cathy O’Toole slammed the NRL’s decision to send a game to Adelaide, calling the move “outrageous”.
“I fought hard to ensure we got the stadium in Townsville and now I want to fight really hard to ensure we get a State of Origin game,” she said.
“I will be writing to the NRL but it would be really great to see everyone get behind the push.”
Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington likened the Adelaide announcement to a “April fool’s” trick.
“I don’t want to bag our South Australian friends but imagine the Crows and Port ( Adelaide) being played in Queensland. There would be a riot,” she said.
Traeger MP Robbie Katter said the announcement “flies right in the face” of the region’s efforts to get the new stadium built.
“I’m sure ( the NRL) have a business case for sending the game to Adelaide, but it’s not consistent with the spirit of the game,” he said.
Townsville Enterprise chief executive Patricia O’Callaghan said it was time for the NRL to reward North Queensland’s loyalty.
“( Bring) these games to the communities that have invested so much locally into not just growing the sport but also travelling to these games in our capital cities,” she said. More reports, page 47