- Hi-tech bionic BLUiE to provide Blues’ fans with unprecedented access to the team in 2018;
- New technology combined with vastly improved SMARTWiG 2 to supercharge the game-day atmosphere at crucial Origin II showdown on Sunday 24 June at Stadium Australia;
- SMARTWiGs will again play spectacular part in pre-game show;
- Blatchys Blues tickets – and all categories of Holden State of Origin II tickets – are available here.
Julian Keith
THE next generation of fandom has arrived with BLUiE the bionic Blatchys Blue set to revolutionise the famous supporter’s area for the crucial Holden State of Origin Game II at Stadium Australia on Sunday 24 June.
Born from a partnership between NSWRL and The Star Sydney, BLUiE stands 65cm tall, weighs 8kg and will be an integral member of the Bryden Lawyers NSW Blues squad in 2018, providing real-time footage from inside the NSW camp across all three games.
Equipped with a 360-degree camera and VR technology, The Blatchys Blues robot will stream content from team meetings, meals and training sessions daily to fans around the world as the team prepares for this year’s Holden State of Origin series.
BLUiE is an evolution of last year’s award-winning Blatchys SMARTWIG campaign that saw 12,000 Blatchy ticket-holders turn Stadium Australia Blue for Game Two of the 2017 series.
In 2018, BLUiE will add to the game-day experience prior to Game Two by providing a live-streaming service of the SMARTWiG 2 radio show from the Toohey’s New Shed at Stadium Australia.
More than 14,000 SMARTWiGs have been produced this year and the upgraded version will feature a new radio device implementation for improved comfort and fit; and 20 new LED lights for a more spectacular and amplified display to add colour and excitement into the pre-game show.
“BLUiE is innovative, engaging and fun and it is exclusive to the Blatchys Blues, a supporter group that we want to grow year-on-year,” Jodie Cross, NSWRL Head of Commercial, said. “BLUiE will provide our fans with a front-row seat to what our players and coach go through to prepare for Origin.”
Melinda Madigan, General Manager Marketing and Entertainment, The Star Sydney said BLUiE is an exciting initiative that reinforces The Star Sydney’s commitment to uniting NSW behind the Blues.
“The award-winning SMARTWIG campaign revolutionized the live experience for sports fans in Australia last year and the addition of BLUiE will ensure fans get access to events and activities involving the team that were traditionally off-limits,” Madigan said.
“The innovation complements the fan experience of State of Origin, whether you are watching it live at the stadium or at our 24/7 Sports Bar on-site at The Star Sydney.”
The match is set to kick-off at 7:45pm following a huge pre-game party in Sydney Olympic Park with fans encouraged to arrive early and enjoy a full day of Sunday festivities before the game.
Tickets to the big game include return train travel on all public transport and fans should get planning early to ensure they have the best day possible.
