Rangers Bowed in Opening Battle

         

THE XXXX Queensland Rangers have shown heart in a tough outing against an experienced New Zealand Residents side, losing the first match of the Trans Tasman Quadrangular Series 52-4.

While the XXXX Rangers are essentially the best of Queensland's 'local leagues', the NZ Residents have selected several NRL squad members - including Cooper Vuna, George Tuakura and Sonny Fa'i.

For that reason Rangers officials said they were relatively pleased with the 48-point loss at Rotorua International Stadium, coming against a team "effectively two levels higher".

Wynnum Manly Seagulls and former Townsville Foley Shield player Jim Baira was the sole try-scorer for the Queenslanders, despite starting in the front row.

Best for the Rangers however were Tweed Heads forward Matt Briggs and Herbert River speedster Michael Rose.

Game Two in the Quadrangular Series will see the XXXX Queensland Rangers face New South Wales Country at 4pm AEST on Saturday, June 24.


New Zealand Residents 52 d XXXX Queensland Rangers 4 (Jim Baira try).

XXXX QLD RANGERS v New Zealand Residents Wednesday, June 21 1. Nathaniel BOWMAN  Sharks United Northern Division 2. Michael ROSE  Herbert River  Northern Division 3. Chris GUMELLI  Redcliffe  South East Division 4. Joshua SCHWERIN  Toowoomba Valleys  South West Division 5. Ashley HUMBLE  Western Districts  South East Division 6. Chris BOND  Brisbane Norths  South East Division 7. Pat DALL  Redcliffe  South East Division 8. Matt BRIGGS  Tweed Heads  Southern Division 9. Jamie WANN   Toowoomba Brothers  South West Division 10. Jim BAIRA  Wynnum Manly  South East Division 11. Kerrod TOBY  Mackay Souths  Northern Division 12. Eugene SEDDON  Pittsworth  South West Division 13. Phil WUERSCHING (c)  Brisbane Norths  South East Division 14. Aaron FARRAR  Gladstone Wallabys  Central Division 15. Chris SNELL  Burdekin  Northern Division 16. Robbie SWAIN Innisfail Brothers  Northern Division 17. Dylan NASH  Tugun  Southern Division Rested: George KEPA  Brisbane Norths  South East Division  Guy WILLIAMS  CQU Norths  Central Division Brett WOOLEY  Tweed Heads  Southern Division Coach: Marshall COLWELL NEW ZEALAND RESIDENTS (Squad) Paletasala ALE  Auckland Lions Junior AURU  Waicoa Bay Stallions Shane BEYERS  Canterbury Bulls Steve BUCKINGHAM (c) Auckland Lions Sala FA'ALOGO  Auckland Lions Sonny FA'I  Counties Manukau Jetz Sinave FAITALE  Tamaki Leopards David FISI'IAHI  Auckland Lions William HETA  Tamaki Leopards Hayden KARENA  Waicoa Bay Stallions Corey LAWRIE  Canterbury Bulls Wayne McDADE  Auckland Lions Julian O'NEILL  Auckland Lions Peter PRIME  Waicoa Bay Stallions Tui SAMOA  Harbour League Lusi SIONE  Canterbury Bulls Miguel START  Auckland Lions Ricky THORBY  Central Falcons George TUAKURA  Tamaki Leopards Henry TURUA  Waitakere Rangers Cooper VUNA  Tamaki Leopards Kelvin WRIGHT  Auckland Lions Coach: David LOMAX      Start of Story !>