Applications for the Queensland Universities team are open as Australia looks forward to the Universities World Cup in Sydney next year.
Full-time students from universities, TAFEs and private colleges can be eligible for the state and national team, with the interstate clash scheduled for Brisbane in six weeks’ time.
The Queensland Universities team will take on their NSW counterparts in a straight selection trial for the Australian team at Suzuki Stadium (the home of Easts Tigers) on October 8.
Former NRL coach at Canberra and the Warriors, Matt Elliot, has been appointed to the Australian Universities team, with Tweed Heads’ Intrust Super Cup coach Aaron Zimmerle to be his assistant.
For the upcoming interstate challenge, former Redcliffe mentor Gary O’Brien will be head coach and ex-NRL player Mark Tookey his assistant after the pair took the Maroons to a strong win in this match last year.
Previous players to have represented Queensland Universities include Tookey, former Queensland Origin players Lote Tuqiri and Adam Mogg, ex-Broncos Nick Kenny and Mick Roberts and current Manly NRL player Matt Parcell.
The Queensland Universities team will go into camp on the morning of Wednesday, October 5 and will stay in camp until Sunday, October 9 after the match on the Saturday afternoon.
Participants will need to meet a levy of approximate $800 that will cover all costs of the camp; including accommodation, meals and team gear and equipment.
The match against NSW Universities will kick off at 4pm on October 8, with a post-game function to proceed in the Easts Leagues Club afterwards.
At that function, the Australian Universities team to contest the World Cup in Sydney over three weeks in July 2017 will be announced.
Please note all participants in the interstate match need to be aiming to play in that tournament, or should not apply.
The applications – open to students studying towards a diploma level qualification or above – is a quick process of filling in an on-line form on The Australian University Sport website.
Applications will close at 5pm on Monday September 5, with the team to be announced on Friday, September 9 on www.qrl.com.au.
