State of Origin I: June 9

Game 1 of State of Origin takes place in Townsville tomorrow night, screening Live on Nine.

Hosts and commentators are James Bracey, Ray Warren, Cameron Smith, Phil Gould, Paul Vautin, Peter Sterling, Allana Ferguson, Billy Slater, Andrew Johns, Wally Lewis, Darren Lockyer, Paul Gallen, Sam Thaiday, Danika Mason.

Roy & HG will appear give their take on Townsville while The Veronicas perform in pre-show entertainment.

Channel 9’s broadcast will be bursting at the seams with legends of rugby league, including the man who has played more Origin matches than anyone in history, Cameron Smith. Arguably the greatest player of all time, Smith makes his official debut with the NRL on Nine commentary team.

Smith is part of a massive Wide World of Sports production involving more than 40 cameras that will cover every corner and angle of Queensland Country Bank Arena to ensure viewers don’t miss a single crunching tackle or exhilarating play.

This year Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium plays host to Origin for the first time, giving the Maroons a decided advantage in front of a passionate and raucous home crowd, looking to repeat their fortunes after upsetting the fancied NSW side last year.

For coach Freddy Fittler’s NSW Blues, livewire Jarome Luai, will line up alongside his Panthers halves partner, superstar Nathan Cleary. For Paul Green’s Maroons, powerful forward David Fifita is bent on devastation after missing the last series through injury.

All eyes will be on the gladiators Payne Haas and Tino Fa’ausuamaleaui who are eager for more confrontation after their bone-rattling collisions in Origin 2020.

Quintessential Aussie comedy duo Roy & HG are back by popular demand for the series after their starring role last year, with a special presentation ahead of each game. For Game 1, they’ll be taking a close look at the advantages that Townsville offers for Queensland, and what effect the high-tackle crackdown might have.

Also, Maroons great Allan ‘Alfie’ Langer will present a special tribute to his old friend and mentor, the late NSW Origin legend Tommy Raudonikis.

To kick off all the action on the field, The Veronicas, ARIA Award-winning pop duo will get the crowd pumping with the pre-game entertainment.

Viewers will have the option to stream the game live on 9Now and also watch four supplementary streams to enhance the action:

• Coaches Cam – NSW Coach Brad Fittler and QLD Coach Paul Green
• Player Cam – NSW star Nathan Cleary
• Player Cam – QLD star Cameron Munster
• Spidercam

Wednesday, June 9 (all Live on Nine):
Sydney 7.00pm
Brisbane 7.00pm
Melbourne 7.00pm
Adelaide 7:00pm
Perth 5.30pm