Outback rep teams brace for North Qld invasion

22nd July 2022

COUNTRY CALLER FOOTBALL COVERAGE SPONSORED BY INTURA

By HARRY CLARKE

THE home of Roma Cities will host the highest standard of rugby league to hit the Maranoa in years on Sunday, when the Queensland Outback and North Queensland United rep sides clash as a curtain raiser for the annual Hostplus Queensland Cup country round.

Many of the Outback players won’t have to travel far – the men’s team is stacked with Roma Cities players who are dominating the south western competition this year.

But selections also include Western Ringers hard man Sam Cunningham, Sam Munns and Trent Hoad from the mighty Longreach Ilfracombe Tigers, and Trinity Andrews all the way from Mount Isa.

North Queensland United, on the other hand, comprises players from remote communities across the Cape York Peninsula and Torres Strait, meaning boats, ferries, flights and a 500km bus trip has been required to bring the team down to Roma.

Queensland Outback were beat by North Queensland United in Tully last year. IMAGE: QRL

The Queensland Outback men will be keen for a win on home turf, having lost to North Queensland in the annual fixture held at Tully last year, while the Outback women are hoping for a second straight victory against their northern counterparts.

With a Hostplus Cup country round fixture between the Norths Devils and Burleigh Bears to follow, Arthur Beetson Oval – home of the Roma Cities Gladiators – will be in full flight for a huge afternoon of bush footy.

The action on Sunday will kick off with Under-16s games beginning at 9am.

The women’s Queensland Outback V North Queensland United starts at 11am and men’s at 12.15pm . The Hostplus QCup game begins at 2.10pm.

Below are the full Outback Queensland team lists.