There will be extra salt in the wound for the losers of this year's State of Origin series as the NSW and Queensland premiers use landmarks to up the stakes.
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The world famous Sydney Harbour Bridge will turn Queensland's fabled shade of maroon should the northerners come away victorious at series' end.
But if NSW claim victory, Queensland fans will see Brisbane's Story Bridge turn blue.
"Origin is more than a game, for 42 years it's been mate against mate and state against state," Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said on Wednesday.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet agreed to the wager when contacted by his Queensland counterpart but insists it is unfair because the stakes are not of equal status.
"So their bridge is apparently called the Story Bridge," he told reporters.
"I hadn't heard of it. I had to Google it to make sure it was in Queensland.
"The Harbour Bridge everyone knows - and the Story Bridge versus the Harbour Bridge, it's a little unfair."
He also cast doubt on the northern state keeping their side of the bargain, saying he was still waiting on $30 million owed from Queenslanders who spent time in NSW hotel quarantine.
"And so we'll resend that bill once we win tonight," he said.
Rugby league's greatest rivalry will kick off on Wednesday night at Sydney's Accor Stadium.
Australian Associated Press
