Cairns to host Reds' first trial
The Queensland Reds will intensify their preparations for the 2015 Super Rugby season when they host the Melbourne Rebels in their opening trial game of the year in Cairns on Saturday, January 31.
The match, to be played at Barlow Park, is the first major Rugby Union fixture in Cairns since the Reds played the Brumbies in a pre-season trial ahead of the 2012 season.
The trial match is reward for the growth of the sport in the Far North Queensland region, which has helped them become the largest state for participation, with 260,000 participating in the game last year.
Reds head coach Richard Graham said the squad was looking forward to taking their preparations to North Queensland.
"Cairns is a great location to host a pre-season trial. Rugby in the region has seen significant growth and this Australian derby will be great reward for the local Rugby community," Graham said.
"It is important for us to reach out and engage with our regional centres and this trial game presents the perfect opportunity to get the Far-North fans engaged and excited for the 2015 season. We are conscious that the Reds represent all of Queensland.
"After nine weeks of pre-season training, the players will be keen to experience match conditions. There are only two trials leading into the season so there will be an enormous amount of competition for places.
"It will also be the first opportunity for our new recruits Karmichael Hunt, James O’Connor, Adam Thomson, Hendrik Tui and Duncan Paia’aua to wear the jersey. It will be special for our North Queensland fans to experience this game first hand."
Queensland CEO Jim Carmichael stressed how important it was to take a trial game to regional Queensland as part of their strategy.
"Queensland Rugby oversees the game from the elite level through to the grassroots of our code. It is important for us to engage with the entire Queensland Rugby community.
"Taking a trial game to Far North Queensland is part of our overarching strategy to grow the game and ensure that the Reds connect with all our fans across Queensland," Carmichael said.
President of the Far North Queensland Rugby, Robert Brennan, said he is looking forward to seeing the growth of the game following the Reds' visit to the region.
"The Far North Queensland region experienced significant growth in participation following the Reds' 2012 trial game. With the exciting new squad the Reds have in place for 2015, I'm looking forward to seeing how Rugby in the region will benefit following the Reds visit to the Cairns next year," he said.
