Not really surprised with the television ratings for the game last night. But then again, the game couldnt really be on any earlier in the season due to the virus
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State of Origin set for explosive Game 2
After pulling off one of the most stunning comebacks in State of Origin history, Queensland head to Sydney to try and steal the 2020 series as Game 2 is broadcast EXCLUSIVELY LIVE on Nine and 9Now from 7.00pm AEDT this Wednesday night, followed by the premiere of The Sporting Bubble, a Nine special presentation.
New South Wales looked like running away with Game 1 after taking a 10-0 lead, but relishing their underdog tag, Queensland stormed home to win 18-14 in front of a raucous crowd at Adelaide Oval.
However, venturing into ANZ Stadium to claim a series is always a tall order, and NSW are favoured to win Game 2 and set Origin 2020 up for a decider next week in Brisbane.
Tickets are still available for the clash in Sydney via Ticketek but selling fast, and fans in Sydney can also tune in to Nine News TONIGHT for their chance to win one of 25 double-passes.
Both sides have a raft of changes, with Cody Walker starting at five-eighth for the Blues and Angus Crichton replacing captain Boyd Cordner who is out of the series due to concussion concerns.
Superstar James Tedesco is the Bluesâ new captain, and Isaah Yeo and Nathan Brown will make their Origin debut.
Fullback Valentine Holmes, a talisman for the Maroons who racked up a swathe of tries before chancing his hand in the NFL in 2019, comes in for the injured AJ Brimson, while Titans youngster Moeaki Fotuaika joins their interchange bench.
Proud Queenslander Karl Stefanovic returns to again go one-on-one with QLD coach Wayne Bennett after claiming to be the veteran coachâs lucky charm following the victory in Game 1, and NSW coach Brad Fittler also sits down to discuss his vision for the team and the culture heâs working hard to build.
Australiaâs favourite comedy duo, Roy and HG, will be back before the kick-off, reminiscing about more of their favourite moments in Origin history, and as always league mastermind Phil Gould will deliver his now-infamous âLast Wordâ analysis to kick-off to get the blood pumping.
Viewers will have the option to stream the game live on 9Now and the supplementary streams return, this time focusing on stars Nathan Cleary and Daly Cherry-Evans and following them around the field.
The greatest NSW side of all time will also be unveiled, as voted on by the experts of the Wide World of Sports commentary team.
Stay tuned after the contest for the premiere of The Sporting Bubble, a Nine special created by award-winning sports documentary maker Peter Dickson, exploring the drastic measures that had to be taken to keep Australiaâs sporting events alive in 2020, and the emotional sacrifices that were made along the way.
With a fired-up NSW Blues side needing to even the scales to save the series, it promises to be a classic do-or-die Origin encounter tomorrow night, exclusively live on Nine.
STATE OF ORIGIN: GAME 2 â LIVE from ANZ Stadum â Wednesday, November 11
Hosts and commentators across broadcast, digital and social include James Bracey, Karl Stefanovic, Ray Warren, Andrew Johns, Phil Gould, Billy Slater, Allana Ferguson, Paul Vautin, Peter Sterling, Johnathan Thurston, Ruan Sims, Wally Lewis, Darren Lockyer, Paul Gallen, Danika Mason.
Sydney 7.00pm LIVE on Nine
Brisbane 6.00pm LIVE on Nine
Melbourne 7.00pm LIVE on Nine
Adelaide 6:30pm LIVE on Nine
Perth 4.00pm LIVE on Nine
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Nine seems to have responded to the criticism of last weeks effort and showed the âWelcome to Countryâ in full tonight, which is the obvious and right move. Shame they stuffed it up last week still.
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They have also changed the commentary with Gus not there.
They have: Ray Warren, Andrew Johns and Bully Slater.
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Does Karl only work on the pre-game show?
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Gotta get back to Sydney for Today Iâd think
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The game was played in Sydney, at Sydney Olympic Park ANZ Stadium.
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Yes, heâs not used after kick off.
Didnât see him on post game.
Today Show commitments are probably why.
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True, was thinking back to last weekâs game in Adelaide.
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Thereâs an article in todayâs âDaily Telegraphâ that Nine is trying to seek an exemption from the QLD Govt to allow them to fly in NSW hosts and commentators to the 3rd Origin game.
Nine didnât seem to try very hard to get a QLD presence at the Sydney game, so I donât see why it has to do any different this time.
Theyâve got Lockyer, Lewis, Thurston and Vautin that can host from up there, and Psaltis to call it. Gould, Johns etc can join in from the Sydney studios just like the QLD contingent did from from the Brisbane studios this week.
I hope the QLD Govt doesnât let them in. They would be called hypocrites if they did when theyâve locked people out for medical reasons.
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Erin Molan, Allana Ferguson and Ruan Sims presenting tonightâs Womenâs State of Origin from Sydney studio. Peter Psaltis calling the match at Sunshine Coast Stadium with former Jillaroo Jo Barrett and Wally Lewis. Darren Lockyer is sideline reporter.
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Nine News reported tonight that they had applied for exemptions for 20 cameramen, technical crew and commentators âcritical to the telecastâ to enter Queensland for the 3rd SOO match. When asked at a media conference about the exemptions the Chief Health Officer said she hasnât seen the applications and they would have to quarantine for 14 days. Nine said that would put the telecast âunder enormous pressure and huge riskâ.
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Theyâve been able to do other games from Brisbane OK this yearâŚ
Even the Storm home semis only a few weeks ago.
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Close to half of the Sydneysiders Iâd imagine Nine would deem âcriticalâ to their State of Origin telecast:
*Ray Warren
*Phil Gould
*Peter Sterling
*Andrew Johns
*Paul Gallen
*Danny Weidler
*Karl Stefanovic
*Danika Mason
*James Bracey
Not really essential, but people Iâm sure Nine would still love to have up North next Wednesday for the benefit of their Sydney audience:
*Cameron Williams
*Mike Dalton
*Erin Molan (if sheâs usually has any involvement in the telecast)
Have I missed anyone?
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When the exemptions are granted, I look forward to ACAâs report on celebrity commentators jumping the queue to get into the state ahead of others who want to attend funerals or see sick family members 
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I am not sure why Nine hadnât planned for some of their commentators to self-quarantine, when the NRL confirmed the dates for this yearâs State of Origin back in September, just in case Queensland wouldnât reopen its borders to Sydneysiders in time?
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Surely the technical people working on tonightâs Womenâs SOO which is in Queensland would be able to deliver the menâs game next week.
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The question is now will Ray Warren call from a monitor in Sydney or will 9 use a Brisbane based caller?
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They probably just pig headedly expected the QLD Govt to approve their applications - or get their own way.
Anyone that was sent up there to quarantine wouldnât have been able to be part of the Sydney broadcast 2 nights ago.
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It would have to be Psaltis.
I donât think Ray would have ever called off a monitor before - I think thatâs too big a risk to take without at least a few practices live.