NQ eyes new rugby bid
IT might only be a thought bubble for now, but local rugby union figures are not ruling out having Townsville take part in a new breakaway Indo- Pacific rugby competition.
Australian Super 18 side the Western Force were recently cut from the southern hemisphere’s premier rugby competition, and Force owner Andrew Forrest is about to launch a rebel league set to feature teams from the Asia Pacific region including Hong Kong and Singapore.
Local economist and former rugby player Colin Dwyer made contact with Force officials earlier this week putting forward the idea that a Queensland Country team could be part of the new- look competition, which is set to begin next year.
Queensland Country currently fields a team in the National Rugby Championship and plays its home games in the State’s southeast corner, but Dwyer suggests Queensland Country should push for acceptance into Forrest’s new competition and make Townsville its home base.
“We have to remember it’s very early days, but I made contact with the Force and I’ve already received a great response,” Dwyer said.
“They said the idea has merit, so it’s definitely something we should be talking about. We can only put the idea out there and put it up for discussion.”
Dwyer did economic studies into the 2001 British and Irish Lions game held in Townsville, and also the Super 12 clash played between the Queensland Reds and Highlanders at 1300SMILES Stadium in 2006.
He believes the positive economic impact generated by those games, along with the three 2003 Rugby World Cup group games played in Townsville, point towards the city being a viable host city in the Indo- Pacific competition.
That, and the expectation of Townsville’s new stadium being ready to host games by 2020.
“The challenge for a team here would be the cost of putting players on planes and travelling up here, along with accommodation,” Dwyer said. “Success takes time, but we definitely have the facilities and playing talent.
“And it’s not just about Townsville but the whole region including Mackay, Cairns, Rockhampton and Mount Isa.”
Townsville director of rugby Terry Shiells said discussions were already taking place between the Townsville and Districts Rugby Union and other rugby governing bodies about Townsville’s prospective inclusion in the Indo- Pacific competition.
“It’s obviously something we’re looking at and whether it would be Queensland Country or a Townsville team we’re not sure at this stage,” he said. “I think it’s a great opportunity.
“We just have to look at how we would generate money to be competitive.
“Regions like Tonga, Fiji and Hong Kong are eager to play more regular footy, and maybe Townsville and a region like the Northern Territory could be a part of it.”
Involving six teams initially, Forrest – a mining magnate – said that the structure of the competition would be revealed in coming days.
“This is the beginning of the new Western Force and the new Indo- Pacific rugby competition based on a fast moving game, highly spectator and player friendly, in full formal competition, as well as a new seven a side competition,” he said earlier this week. “This will include strong encouragement of women’s rugby.”