Rugby League

Just make the Storm sit out the rest of the season. :stuck_out_tongue: I would! :rofl:

After the Titans match, the Storm will face the NZ Warriors at Gosford on June 13. I guess that staying on Sunshine Coast make it easier for the Storm to travel across state borders.

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Exactly.

Gutsy win by the Knights over Manly today.

I thought the Sea Eagles would have too much power with three Turbos and a Saab in their team, but not so.

Cue “thumbs up” at Manly from @ElCapitanCranky

Just as important, a good win by my Sharkies 38-10 against the Gold Coasters.
Two wins a row gives me a bit of hope for some finals footy again this year.

you bet your sweet arse I’m giving everyone the thumbs up. I was there and it was sweet to finally put them to the sword after a hell of a slog.

More like a P76.

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The squads for the Ampol State of Origin opener have been announced:

Maroons squad

(in alphabetical order)

Jai Arrow
AJ Brimson
Kurt Capewell
Daly Cherry-Evans (c)
Xavier Coates
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
Kyle Feldt
David Fifita
Moeaki Fotuaika
Dane Gagai
Harry Grant
Coen Hess
Valentine Holmes
Felise Kaufusi
Reed Mahoney
Cameron Munster
Joe Ofahengaue
Kalyn Ponga
Jaydn Su’A
Christian Welch

Blues squad

  1. James Tedesco
  2. Brian To’o
  3. Latrell Mitchell
  4. Tom Trbojevic
  5. Josh Addo-Carr
  6. Jarome Luai
  7. Nathan Cleary
  8. Daniel Saifiti
  9. Damien Cook
  10. Jake Trbojevic
  11. Cameron Murray
  12. Tariq Sims
  13. Isaah Yeo
  14. Jack Wighton
  15. Junior Paulo
  16. Payne Haas
  17. Liam Martin
  18. Api Koroisau
  19. Campbell Graham
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https://twitter.com/couriermail/status/1399213233391554563?s=20

Townsville has won the relocation rights to host State of Origin I.

The NRL will make a formal announcement on Monday but News Corp understands the Victorian government has agreed to shift the Origin opener from the Melbourne Cricket Ground to Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

The NRL were also crunching the numbers for Canberra’s GIO Stadium, Adelaide Oval, Perth’s Optus Stadium and there was a late bid from the NSW State government to snatch the series opener on June 9.

But the code’s showpiece will be making its debut in the tropics at the state-of-the-art $290 million Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

The impending relocation is a huge coup for the Queensland government and the Maroons, who will effectively receive two consecutive home games with Game Two to be held at Suncorp Stadium on June 27.

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Relocation was the only option, but I think it should have gone to a neutral venue, as it will mean QLD will now host the first 2 games of this year’s series, and be favourites to win this years title.

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It shouldn’t be moved to Townsville. I say swap the venues for game 1 and 2.

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or game 1 and game 3 that way it gives the MCG the best opportunity to host

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There won’t be SOO at the MCG this year.

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It won’t have been an easy decision for the Victorian Government to give up hosting rights to this year’s State of Origin. With Perth hosting an SOO match in 2022, and Adelaide hosting one in 2023, it will be at least 2024 before the series returns to Melbourne.

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Realistically it should’ve gone to Perth. I would have said Adelaide, but they’re the reason we’re in this mess.

Hopefully Ticketek are quick with the refunds. Hey, I can hope!

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But would Perth have let them in? That’s the question.

If they let Victorian AFL clubs in I can’t see why a handful of Storm players would stop them?

South Australia on the other hand obviously weren’t wanting to budge - you would imagine they’d have had a bigger crowd at Adelaide Oval than at NQ Stadium.

WA changes their mind like I change my undies. On a daily basis. :rofl:

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Whew that’s a relief, not that we needed to know, but thanks anyway :stuck_out_tongue:

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Saw the team going for a swim at the pool at Coogee Beach, next to Coogee Surf Life Saving Club just a couple of hours ago.

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Confirmed. Melbourne now locked in for 2024 and 2026.

Now, if the NRL could stop sending me emails asking me to get on the waiting list for Townsville tickets that’d be superb.

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