Suncorp Stadium will be blacked out for 18 minutes prior to kick-off tomorrow night (Wednesday) as part of a spectacular pre-game celebration featuring 22 iconic Rugby League legends and some of the great moments of Origin.
With Game I of the 2014 Holden State of Origin Series marking 100 games of Origin, fans at the match and television audiences worldwide will be treated to a collection of Origin moments that have put smiles on people’s faces since the inception in 1980 of one of sport’s greatest rivalries.
It will open with former Queensland captain Wally Lewis and NSW enforcer Mark Geyer side by side; and includes Peter Sterling, Brett Kenny, Steve Roach, Andrew Johns, Brad Fittler, Chris Close, Greg Dowling, Petero Civoniceva, Steve Renouf, Michael Hancock, Sam Backo, Paul Vautin, Mark Coyne, Darren Lockyer, Danny Buderus, Tommy Raudonikis, Gorden Tallis, Ben Elias and his mother Barbara, and super coaches Wayne Bennett and Phil Gould.
The pre-game spectacle will also feature a tribute to the “father” of Origin, the late Arthur Beetson, an Immortal who was instrumental in making Origin such a success.
Beetson’s Number 11 Queensland jersey will be retired for Game I only and his four grandchildren - Pedro (16), Jack (12), Riley (9) and Billy Beetson (4) - will lead the XXXX Queensland Maroons on to the field.
(Please note: Patrons attending are urged to be seated by 7.20pm before Suncorp Stadium is blacked out at 7.30pm).
OTHER ACTIVITY |
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4-11pm |
NRL Mission Control: South-west end of the Code Members Lounge – Level 2, Suncorp Stadium |
A pop-up style social media command centre, where the NRL will take social media to the next level during #Origin with a stand-alone social media “war room” at the stadium. Pre-event information is being promoted to encourage fans to join the conversation with our official hashtags: #ORIGIN, #UpTheBlues, #QLDER |
5-7.20pm |
Maroons Members Bar, Suncorp Stadium (North grass area, next to the Wally Lewis statue) |
Includes a bar area, chill out zone, big screen, live entertainment giveaways. Guests of the Maroon Members bar will be joined by Wendell Sailor (QLD), Mario Fenech (NSW), Dallas Johnson (QLD), Chris Walker (QLD) and Nathan Hindmarsh (NSW). |
GAME SCHEDULE |
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4.15pm |
Gates Open |
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4.25pm |
Curtain-raiser 1: Kick-off |
Australian Army (QLD) v Royal Australian Airforce (NSW) |
6.00pm |
Curtain-raiser 2: Kick-off |
U16 State of Origin: QLD v NSW |
6.40pm |
Coin Toss |
Origin captains Paul Gallen and Cameron Smith with Holden Dealer Principal from Hillcrest, Paul Woolley |
7.10pm |
Curtain-raiser ends; post-match presentation on field |
Official party including QRL CEO Rob Moore and NSWRL CEO Dave Trodden |
7.30pm |
Pre-match Entertainment |
Lights out in Suncorp Stadium for an on-field and screen spectacular celebrating 22 iconic Rugby League legends and some of the great moments of Origin.
Arthur Beetson’s grandchildren – Pedro (16), Jack (12), Riley (9) and Billy Beetson (4) - will lead the XXXX Queensland Maroons on to the field |
8.08pm |
National Anthem |
‘Strictly Ballroom’ lead Phoebe Panaretos |
8.10pm |
Game I: 2013 Holden State of Origin Series |
XXXX QLD Maroons v NSW VB Blues |
9.05pm |
Half-time entertainment |
‘The Voice’ finalist Luke Kennedy |
10.00pm |
Full-time |
Lap of honour |
