Rescheduled State of Origin dates clash directly with Ashes series

The NRL has confirmed the rescheduled State of Origin dates for 2020 – and they clash directly with the international Ashes series.

Origin fixtures will be played at the end of the season this year due to the coronavirus pandemic that has seen the season be pushed back. The three games will be staged on November 4, 11 and 18.

This has put the Ashes series between England and Australia in further doubt, with tests being originally pencilled in for October 31 (Bolton), November 7 (Leeds) and 14 (Tottenham).

The Women’s State of Origin match – which was originally scheduled to be played in June – has been scheduled to go ahead on November 13 as a standalone fixture.

NRL interim chief executive Andrew Abdo said: “The changes to the schedule this year have allowed Origin to be played after the grand final – which is a first for the game, 40 years after the birth of the country’s biggest sporting rivalry.

“And to have our women’s Origin match on prime time on a Friday night – just two days after game two of the men’s series – will make this two-week period a historic one for the sport.

“This season will offer storylines, drama and excitement that cannot be scripted. Kick-off cannot come soon enough for all of us.”

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