Coast in mix for NRC final

THE Gold Coast is understood to be in a three-horse race to host a National Rugby Championship semi-final early next month.

Even with one round of the regular season remaining, inform Queensland Country have already secured a top-two finals position courtesy of their ongoing six-match winning streak. They will seal their maiden minor premiership if they defeat the Perth Spirit in Ipswich on Sunday afternoon, or if Canberra Vikings lose to the Greater Sydney Rams.

Such a feat would cap a sensational turnaround from their dismal first three seasons in the competition, including the 2016 wooden spoon.

Country’s next step towards being crowned champions would be a home semi-final against a yet to be determined opponent. The location of that match is dependent on where they finish on the ladder, with one semi tipped to be played on the Saturday night of November 4 and the other to be held the following day.

Regular Country venues Toowoomba and Bond University on the Gold Coast are among the hosting contenders.

Toowoomba are rumoured to be ahead of Bond in that race, despite the latter’s longtime sponsorship of the team.

But if the contest is scheduled for a night timeslot – a move that would likely boost ratings for broadcaster Fox Sports – it would almost certainly be placed at Ballymore Stadium, given the Brisbane arena’s superior lighting.

Country are set to announce the location of the match on Sunday night after the Spirit clash.

– CONNOR O’BRIEN