Reds to tackle Chiefs early
The Queensland Reds will start their 2014 Super Rugby campaign with a pre-season match against defending champions, the Chiefs, in Toowoomba on February 8.
Reds head coach Richard Graham said the trial would provide his team with a good platform to launch their season.
"We have aspirations of winning another Super Rugby title in 2014 and playing the winners of last year's competition in our first trial match will be an excellent starting point," Graham said.
"The Chiefs have won successive Super Rugby titles, will be well prepared having just played French side Toulon in the World club clash and will provide us with a physical and high-paced contest.
"We want to challenge ourselves to be the best and deliver the best possible Rugby we are capable of playing."
Over the last four years, participation figures in the Darling Downs region have nearly tripled, and Mike Horan, Chairman of Downs Rugby and father of Wallaby and Queensland great Tim Horan, said the visit would continue to foster growth in Rugby in the region.
"Downs Rugby is delighted to be hosting this major Rugby event, which features our Queensland Reds side against one of the best provincial Rugby teams in the world," Horan said.
"This will be a great benefit to Rugby throughout our vast region, particularly for our junior and teenage competitions, which are both growing in numbers. This gives them an opportunity to see world-class teams featuring many Wallabies and All Blacks in our area.
"I'm particularly pleased for our country supporters, because it gives them an opportunity to see two of the best performing provincial Rugby teams in the world."
This will be the second year in a row the Reds will play a trial match in Toowoomba, having played the Blues there in February this year as part of their 2013 season preparations.
The Reds' regular season starts Saturday, February 22, with a clash on the road to the Brumbies, followed by another away game to the Waratahs.
Their first match at Suncorp Stadium is against the Cheetahs on Friday, March 7.
