'Different world': Global frenzy over 'amazing' State of Origin crowd
NRL fans around the world have immediately praised the ‘amazing’ atmosphere at a packed Suncorp stadium for the State of Origin decider.
Queensland hosted NSW at Suncorp Stadium in front of an estimated 49,000 fans, which is believed to be a record crowd since the coronavirus pandemic locked down stadiums around the world.
'NOT SO KEEN': SOO commentary shake-up sparks frustration
WOW: NRL journo calls out Smith over Sampson rumour
While huge queues appeared to stop fans reaching their seats at kick-off, fans trickled in over the first 10 minutes to pack out the stadium.
For many sport fans around the world, a packed stadium seems so foreign after months of lockdown.
The feat seems a world away from when the NRL resumed and cardboard cut-outs were used with fake crowd noise to create atmosphere.
Fans across Australia and around the world jumped on social media to marvel at the incredible spectacle during an unprecedented year.
Look at the crowd for the state of origin in Australia 🇦🇺
Are they on the same planet as us 🗺
Breaks me seeing that and thinking about the state that our sports are in.— Lee Jarvis (@LeeJarvis10) 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 to the QLD Premier who has done everything right in being able to have a large crowd attend tonight.
— Daniel Cohen (@Fishman_Dan) November 18, 2020
Capacity crowd in Australia for #origin ..... jealous lads
— James Whyte (@JamesWhyte8) 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
Full house at Suncorp for the State of Origin decider looks amazing!!! Can’t get a single fan in over here FFS!!! Cmon @QLDmaroons
— Ed De Goeys Moustache (@FrancoIsKing1) November 18, 2020
Amazing to see a near capacity crowd at Suncorp for the #stateoforigin decider. How nice would it be to see scenes like this at football matches?
— Dan Ogunshakin (@DanOgunshakin) 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 🏉
— 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
Queues outside Suncorp before State of Origin
State of Origin got off to a lightning start on the field, but fans appeared to be held up outside the stadium.
Footage showed thousands queuing only moments before kick-off.
Images also showed a number of seats spotted around the stadium still waiting to be filled.
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.
