American And European Sports Fans In Awe As State Of Origin Hosts 52,000 Fans
Published
| Last updated
It's the biggest recorded crowd since the outbreak of coronavirus.
Last night, Australian sporting history was made.
The State of Origin decider between New South Wales and Queensland was played in front of a packed-out Suncorp Stadium.
And when we say packed-out, what we really mean is a live crowd of 52,000 people.
That's right, over 52,000 rugby league fans were in attendance to watch Queensland - who had previously been described as 'the worst Origin team ever' - upset the odds by beating hot favourites New South Wales with the score ending 20-14.
Despite the late comeback from the Blues, it was a rather one-sided affair with Queensland dominating first-half proceedings.
That being said, NSW thought they'd clawed it back when some late drama saw the match officials opt against awarding a penalty try in the dying embers of the game.
Overall, it had all the ingredients for a classic State of Origin clash - and it didn't disappoint.
While New South Wales were left pointing fingers as the referee blew his whistle for full-time, one thing that certainly can't be faulted was the incredible atmosphere inside Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
The sheer size and noise of the hostile crowd was electric, so much so that it has gained global attention from sports fans.
For many, the concept of not playing sport in empty stadiums with no supporters - the way it has been for over 6 months due to COVID-19 - seems foreign.
So upon seeing last night's State of Origin, sports tragics from all over the globe heaped praise on the NRL and Australia for the way it has handled the pandemic.
Suncorp Stadium. Full house. This is #Origin. pic.twitter.com/ziGu6B1bA0
- Queensland Maroons (@QLDmaroons) November 18, 2020
:earth_africa: Officially the world's largest sporting event since Covid-19 began...
:stadium:️ Today's dramatic State of Origin decider was played in front of the world's largest post-Covid crowd as 49,155 people packed into Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.
:clap: @NRL pic.twitter.com/Jeh4e8ubik
- Rugby Football League (@TheRFL) November 18, 2020
Look at the crowd for the state of origin in Australia :flag_au:
Are they on the same planet as us :map:
Breaks me seeing that and thinking about the state that our sports are in.
- Lee Jarvis (@LeeJarvis10) November 18, 2020
Sport is slowly returning to normal at last. Though not a huge League fan it was great watching the State of Origin last night on TV with the 52,000 crowd. Roll on the Blackcaps vs West Indies test match at the Basin Reserve! Tickets purchased!
- KRE (@Eames_kiwi) November 18, 2020
Watching state of origin and seeing a crowd pisses me right off :pensive: get us back to live games :pray::pray::beers::soccer::golf::rugby_football:
- Darren Pearson (@dazpeo) November 18, 2020
How good has this State Of Origin decider been so far? It's also being played in front of the world's highest sporting attendance since the global pandemic started in February. #RugbyLeague always delivering. pic.twitter.com/uIK41Q8ghx
- Mick Gledhill :speaking_head::microphone2::radio: (@TheGameCaller) November 18, 2020
Different world to us in the UK, 50k fans and this seems a long way down the line for us ffs! #origin https://t.co/ASZ8m0f1HS
- J (@MonsieurGrind) November 18, 2020
Around 50,000 fans inside Suncorp Stadium for State of Origin III decider this morning
Amazing to see. Makes me very, very jealous to see
- Jack de Menezes (@JackdeMenezes) November 18, 2020
What bizarre country we live in. In one area the world's biggest sporting crowd since the pandemic began and the in the south a whole city going into the harshest lockdown yet. Just a bizarre year.
- Clinton Maynard (@ClintMaynard2GB) November 18, 2020
From cardboard cut-outs to 50,000+ real fans at Suncorp. Game 3 State of Origin is the highest sporting attendance in the world since the #COVID19 pandemic was declared.#NRL #Origin
- Robbie Wood (@robbiejwood) November 18, 2020
Well done rugby league on such a great crowd. A remarkable feat in such a challenging year!
- LadiesWhoLegspin (@LadiesWhoLeague) November 18, 2020
Capacity crowd in Australia for #origin ..... jealous lads
- James Whyte (@JamesWhyte8) November 18, 2020
Man what a game, us Kiwis appreciate watching aussies hook into one another for 80mins :joy:.
Respect to both states :clap: #Origin
- Shaun Johnson (@Shaun_Johnson90) November 18, 2020
Wish I was there - Suncorp Stadium in #Brisbane looking amazing for the #StateOfOrigin decider. Go @QLDmaroons!! #QUEENSLANDER!! pic.twitter.com/5Vj8oBzlVC
- Tim Macuga (@CLEinBNE) November 18, 2020
That Crowd at Suncorp is amazing. Meanwhile here in the UK, with a Health Secretary and Prime Minister that don't know there arses from there elbows! Be another 5 years with them muppets in charge before we get to return to Stadiums! #Origin :rugby_football:
- SteadyJDS (@Steady2192) November 18, 2020
Hard to believe looking at that packed house at Suncorp Stadium tonight we are living in the same country...
- Punting Baron (@PuntingBaron) November 18, 2020
Featured Image Credit: Twitter/@QLDmaroons
Topics: queensland, New South Wales, Pandemic, Coronavirus, Rugby League, Social Media, nrl, State of Origin, Australia, Covid-19
