Toowoomba talent to shine on QRL’s big day
RUGBY LEAGUE: Queensland Rugby League’s day of days is set to have a distinct flavour of Toowoomba and surrounds.
As the Intrust Super Cup season wraps up at Dolphin Oval, Redcliffe, seven TJRL players are set to feature for Queensland Country against Queensland City to open the day’s proceedings.
Southern Suburbs players Angus Wright, Brayden Paix and Shaun Packer joining Dalby’s Keanu Wright-Dunrobin, Xavier Va’A from Highfields and Tyson Stevens from Valleys, with Tyler Conroy named as a reserve.
The new fixture was implemented to give more exposure to the age group and provide a further representative pathway for young players.
The group has been in camp for the past few days, and coach Matt Church said they had worked hard from the outset.
“Country kids are always well mannered and well behaved,” Church said.
“They bring a good nature to the camp and are all eager to learn, which is great from a coaching perspective, and gives us an opportunity to give them as much knowledge as we can.
“The boys have been lucky enough to have (Queensland State of Origin coach) Kevin Walters talk to them about what it means to play for the Maroons jersey, and they probably don’t get that insight unless they’re in programs like this.
“I believe the boys will put their best foot forward tomorrow. If they really buy into what we’re trying to do, they should put in a good performance.”
Toowoomba’s connection to the big day continues in the Hastings Deering Colts competition, with former Southern Suburbs hooker Jake Simpkin lining up for Wynnum-Manly.
The Seagulls will take on the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the U20s decider. In the opening round, the Seagulls claimed a tight 22-18 win, the only time the sides have met in 2019.
Finally, Wandoan’s Sam Scarlett will hope to complete a Seagulls double when he lines up at halfback for WynnumManly against Burleigh in the Intrust Super Cup grand final.
The two sides played out a thrilling qualifying final during the first week of the finals, which saw the Bears prevail 34-32. Burleigh came up trumps during their only regular season encounter, winning 26-18 back in round six. QRL GRAND FINAL DAY SECHEDULE
8.30am NRL Development Cup final
9.35am Queensland Under 16 City v Queensland Under 16 Country
11am Australian Schoolboys v Junior Kiwis
1pm Hastings Deering Colts grand final
3.10pm Intrust Super Cup grand final