New South Wales have been accused of “pettiness” during Game III after an issue with the ticketing reserved for the families of the Maroons players and coaches.
Traditionally, the families of Origin players and coaches are seated behind the bench of their respective teams, however according to Triple M, this was not the case at Accor Stadium on Wednesday night.
“Shenanigans have taken place between the two camps,” Dan Ginnane said before throwing to journalist Ben Dobbin.
Watch every game of every round of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >>>
“Queensland team’s (families) are all in behind the New South Wales bang smack in the middle of all the New South Wales families,” Dobbin told Triple M.
“And Cam Munster’s family, I don’t what this is about, they’ve been put over the other side with a couple of others, so they aren’t even altogether which has never been the case.
“I know it’s petty but they are all so upset because Queensland has always done their captain’s run at 4pm and they got bumped yesterday, they got an email (from NSW) saying no, no, no, we’re going at 4pm and you have to go at 1pm.
“They are not happy. They seriously are not happy. I’m looking at Nicole Slater (wife of Maroons coach Billy Slater) at the moment at the moment and she’s deadset sitting right behind the New South Wales bench all surrounded by New South Wales fans and obviously family members.
“I might try and see how upset she is about. Queensland is clearly upset about it.”
MORE ORIGIN III NEWS
NSW PLAYER RATINGS: Question only Freddy can answer after star’s statement
QLD PLAYER RATINGS: Star duo kept quiet as Maroons fail to fill huge void
WHAT WEDGE? Fittler’s classy gesture to axed Blues stars
‘DO IT MYSELF’: Foxx’s answer to epic Slater try as Blues flyer stuns
Freddy asked about Ivan in coaches’ box | 00:27
Ginnane theorised on air that New South Wales were “returning serve” after alleging some Blues’ board members were put in a box closer to the try line instead of on the halfway line.
“This really is pettiness personified. Aren’t the Blues pissed off because they were put in a box at the ten metre line at Suncorp (for Game II),” Ginnane said.
“Some of the board members were shunted because they couldn’t watch the game from the halfway line in their blazers, so they were peeved off.
“Dobbo, this is clearly a returning of serve.”
“I think Queensland were involved in that with New South Wales as well. I think both Queensland and New South Wales were shunted together in that case,” Dobbin responded.
The Blues silenced some of their critics with a 24-10 win on Wednesday night, thwarting the first Origin whitewash since 2010.