Don’t say it, Queenslanders.
NSW is moving to shatter the myth that Queenslanders are more passionate about State of Origin than those south of the Tweed River ahead of the series opener at Accor Stadium on Wednesday night.
The Sydney Olympic Park venue will be a sea of blue when captain Isaah Yeo leads his teammates onto the field, with ticket sales showing 92 per cent of those in attendance will be screaming for the Blues, according to the NRL.
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The Blues’ official supporter group Blatchys Blues is also on track to challenge the record of 12,250 that rocked up in the iconic blue afro in 2018.
Blatchys Blues captain Dean “Roasty” Messiter has made a final call to arms for Blues fans to join the Blue Army on Wednesday.
“As much Blues as possible,” Messiter said when asked what he wants to see on game day.
“The wigs, the scarfs, the jerseys. Paint your face blue. Only eat blue things that day.
“Whatever is blue, bring it along and showcase it because we just want to pack that stadium out to drown out every single dirty Queenslander.”
Messiter said he knows NSW fans have more passion than those up north in maroon threads.
“I hate that saying. I hate when people say that,” he said.
“As a Blues fan I’ve been through pain. I’ve been through heartbreak. I’ve been through celebrations. We stick around. We hang around for all of it.
“I absolutely hate when they say it because I’ve been there with all the Blues fans and experienced it and know that we have more passion than them.”
NSW has not won at Accor Stadium since 2023 and suffered the heartbreak of a Cameron Munster masterclass in the series decider in Sydney last year.
“The atmosphere of the boys running out. The crowd going wild is something special,” Messiter said.
To emphasise this point, landmarks across the state will be turned blue on Wednesday.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge, Big Banana, Big Merino, Big Lawn Bowl and the Big Golden Guitar will all turn blue on the night.
NSW icon Andrew Johns also said this week he wants the entire state to get behind Laurie Daley’s team.
“Queensland is coming down to our home, our stadium, trying to take something from not just the team, but all of us,” he told the SMH.
“As a state, we should be looking at each other, the same way that ’96 team does, and smiling, because we’re all blue.
“Next Wednesday night, wear your NSW jersey to work. Wear your colours at home, to the pub and to the game. We’ll have 19 players representing us at Accor Stadium next Wednesday night, and Queensland are coming to take something from our state.”
Originally published as Entire Australian state changes colour for State of Origin series opener