NRL Grand Final’s Covid question answered

Good news, footy fans!

Queensland’s Covid-19 outbreak has been brought under control and tonight’s NRL Grand Final will go ahead as planned.

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Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk confirmed on Sunday Queensland had recorded no new local cases of coronavirus in the past 24 hours, meaning it’s all systems go for the decider.

Here’s everything you need to know about the clash between Penrith and South Sydney.

Recent results

Qualifying final 2021: South Sydney (16) defeated Penrith (10)

Round 23, 2021: Penrith (25) defeated South Sydney (12)

Round 11, 2021: Penrith (56) defeated South Sydney (12)

Preliminary final 2020: Penrith (20) defeated (16)

Round 7 2020: Penrith (20) defeated South Sydney (12)

All time head-to-head: 98 matches — Rabbitohs 51, Panthers 44, three draws

Where is the NRL grand final being held?

The grand final will take place at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium. It’s the first time rugby league’s decider has been held outside Sydney.

Queensland has been a safe haven for the NRL since the entire competition moved north of the border halfway through the season.

New Covid restrictions saw Suncorp Stadium’s capacity of 52,500 reduced to 75 per cent for the game, meaning around 13,000 people had to hand back their tickets.

What time is the NRL Grand Final?

Kick-off is scheduled for 6.30pm local time (7.30pm AEDT).

However, when the national anthem and Welcome to Country are taken into account, don’t be surprised if the game actually starts around 10 minutes later.

Daylight savings started overnight, so be sure you’ve readjusted your clocks accordingly.

Here’s when kick-off is around Australia:

Sydney – 7.30pm

Melbourne – 7.30pm

Brisbane – 6.30pm

Adelaide – 7pm

Perth – 4.30pm

Hobart – 7.30pm

Darwin — 6pm

How to watch the NRL Grand Final

The NRL Grand Final will be broadcast live and exclusively on Channel 9 and 9HD.

You will also be able to live stream the match on 9Now, but a Nine account is required to access the stream.

Fox League will show a replay of the game immediately after full-time.

Who is performing at the Grand Final?

Aussie singer-songwriter Kate Miller-Heidke will sing the national anthem ahead of kick-off, and will lead the pre-match entertainment alongside Cold Chisel founding member Ian Moss.

They will be joined by globetrotting DJs The Stafford Brothers, live instrumentalist Timmy Trumpet, internationally acclaimed didgeridoo player William Barton and a 40-piece orchestra.

What are the betting odds?

As of Sunday afternoon, TAB has Penrith as head-to-head favourites at $1.70, while South Sydney is paying $2.20.

Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary ($3.50) is the favourite for the Clive Churchill Medal, followed closely by Bunnies five-eighth Cody Walker ($7.50) and Rabbitohs lock Cameron Murray ($9).

Team line-ups

Penrith: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Stephen Crichton 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Matt Burton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Kurt Capewell 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Tyrone May 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Liam Martin 18. Brent Naden 19. Mitch Kenny 20. J’maine Hopgood 21. Charlie Staines

Coach: Ivan Cleary

South Sydney: 1. Blake Taaffe 2. Alex Johnston 3. Dane Gagai 4. Campbell Graham 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Mark Nicholls 9. Damien Cook 10. Tevita Tatola 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jaydn Su’A 13. Cameron Murray 14. Benji Marshall 15. Jacob Host 16. Thomas Burgess 17. Jai Arrow 18. Taane Milne 19. Patrick Mago 20. Braidon Burns 21. Jed Cartwright

Coach: Wayne Bennett