QUEENSLAND Rugby League boss Peter Betros on Tuesday delivered a broadside in the interstate war, fed up with the Blues refusing to help publicise the State of Origin series.
The QRL feel they have been let down by Blues officials, who have abandoned Melbourne and refused to help the Maroons pump up Origin’s return to the MCG.
NSW’s decision to base themselves at their Coffs Harbour retreat this week has also upset some league stakeholders outside of Queensland.
At Coffs Harbour, the Blues are even cut off from their fans in Sydney. They train in private and use their base, a six-hour drive from Sydney, as a means of generating a siege mentality.
“Our NSW friends are swanning around on the beach at Coffs Harbour,” Betros said.
“I hope the sun is shining up there. Melbourne is where the action is though.
“The MCG is one of the iconic sporting venues in the world and we are so pleased to be here we are staying here through the whole preparation.
“We are here to embrace the Melbourne and Victorian community for the 10 days of the camp.”
The Maroons arrived in a chilly Melbourne yesterday afternoon and will spend the entire camp in the home of the Storm.
They have several training sessions available to the public and a fan day at Federation Square in which all players will attend.
They are also doing junior clinics during their stay, genuinely trying to boost league’s popularity in Victoria.
NRL officials are confident of a 90,000 strong crowd at the MCG on June 17. When Queensland won Game One 10 days ago, more than 80,000 tickets had already been sold.
The MCG crowd will be the biggest any of the players have performed under.