One of the most thrilling and enduring rivalries in all of sport writes another chapter in its 40th year when Game 1 of State of Origin is broadcast EXCLUSIVELY LIVE on Nine and 9Now from 7.00pm AEDT this Wednesday night.

Nothing matches the passion and excitement of Origin, the most watched program across all networks in Australia for the past three years: the ultimate the State versus State, mate versus mate showdown.

The TODAY Show’s Karl Stefanovic will be on board for all three games, co-hosting alongside James Bracey in an effort to balance the scales and cheer his beloved Maroons to victory, with the famous tones of Ray Warren calling the action.

Broadcasting from a COVID-safe, sold-out Adelaide Oval for the very first time, State of Origin continues to expand its national footprint, proving once again to be the real must-see sporting event that captures the attention of the nation.

Wednesday night’s coverage will begin by transporting viewers back in time to the famous Lang Park in 1980, the scene of the first State of Origin 40 years ago. Using the latest in broadcast technology, Queensland great Chris “Choppy” Close, man of the match in that game, will give us a walk-through on the sacred turf and retell his experience of the clash that created a phenomenon.

Iconic sport-loving Australian comedy duo Roy and HG have joined Wide World of Sports for the 2020 State of Origin series to deliver a hilarious and impassioned special segment for all three games and fire up viewers in a way that only they can, revisiting their greatest memories in the 40-year history of the series.

Click here for a special video preview from the duo.

Former tennis world No.1 and proud South Australian Lleyton Hewitt also joins the broadcast to pay homage to the great Adelaide Oval, which has hosted everything from cricket test matches to Rolling Stones concerts.

On Wednesday night, Wide World of Sports will announce the best New South Wales and Queensland teams of the past four decades as voted by the fans who have cast their votes at wwos.com.au over the last month.

With both sides fielding debutants, predicting a winner for Game 1 is anyone’s guess. While Queensland go in as underdogs, history has proven it is a title they relish and thrive under.

NSW coach Brad Fittler will be looking to make it three series wins in a row to make up for the pain the Queenslanders have inflicted in the past, while the returning master Wayne Bennett will be scheming to return the Maroons to their winning ways.

With classy Australian halves Cameron Munster and Daly Cherry-Evans playing behind a monster forward pack led by Josh Papalii, the Maroons are definitely capable of an upset. They will be matched by Nathan Cleary, fresh from an incredible NRL season, and Luke Keary, who makes his long-awaited Origin debut.

Viewers will have the option to stream the game live on 9Now and also view four supplementary streams to enhance the action. Two streams will focus purely on the coaches and the other two on star players James Tedesco and Cameron Munster.

STATE OF ORIGIN GAME 1 – LIVE from Adelaide Oval – Wednesday, November 4
Hosts and commentators across broadcast, digital and social include James Bracey, Karl Stefanovic, Danika Mason, Ray Warren, Phil Gould, Andrew Johns, Peter Sterling, Billy Slater, Johnathan Thurston, Darren Lockyer, Wally Lewis, Paul Gallen and Sam Thaiday.

For further information please contact Nine Publicity:
Jason Evans
E jaevans@nine.com.au

Monday, November 2, 2020