Pride and passion will be on display this weekend when the PNG Hunters host the Fiji Kava Kaiviti Silktails in the PacificAus Sports Melanesian Bowl.
Last weekend, the Burleigh Bears pipped the Silktails 16-12 in a close match at Pizzey Park to help set up what should be a great event that will also raise funds and awareness for Tonga Recovery Appeal.
The pre-season fixture at Runaway Bay's Bycroft Oval is just one of a number of trial matches taking place this Saturday, with statewide competition teams continuing their build up to season 2022.
Other results in the Hostplus Cup trials last weekend saw Souths Logan Magpies beat Ipswich Jets, Central Queensland Capras defeat Mackay Cutters, Brisbane Tigers overcome Norths Devils in a close one, and Northern Pride were too strong for Yarrabah Seahawks.
Outside of all the celebrations and action at Bycroft Oval, plenty more statewide competitions teams will be in action this weekend, including the Mackay Cutters taking on the North Queensland Young Guns.
The two teams will feature in the curtain raiser to the North Queensland Cowboys versus Brisbane Broncos game at BB Print Stadium, Mackay on Saturday night.
Two PNG Hunters squad members Sherwin Tanabi and Anthony Worot have been included in the Young Guns squad, with coach Church encouraging his players and assistant coach Stanley Tepend to make the most of the opportunity.
Statewide competitions will kick off this upcoming weekend, with Harvey Norman Under 19, Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup and Cyril Connell Challenge games taking place.
The first statewide competitions match of the year will take place in the Cyril Connell Challenge, with the Tweed Seagulls hosting the Burleigh Bears at Tugun.
Match: Seagulls v Bears
Round 1 -
home Team
Seagulls
away Team
Bears
Venue: Tugun RLFC, Tugun
Statewide competition trials - February 26-27
Hostplus Cup
Saturday, February 26
Tweed Seagulls v Souths Logan Magpies at Tugun – 1pm (Queensland time)
Burleigh Bears v Brisbane Tigers at Pizzey Park – 7pm
Norths Devils v Redcliffe Dolphins at Bishop Park – 5pm
Norths Devils v Norths Devils at Bishop Park - 7pm
PNG Hunters v Fiji Silktails at Bycroft Oval – 4.30pm
Mackay Cutters v North Queensland Cowboys Young Guns at BB Print Stadium - 5.30pm
Wynnum Manly Seagulls v Sunshine Coast Falcons at Beenleigh Juniors – 6pm
Ipswich Jets v Swifts Bluebirds and Goodiwindi Boars at North Ipswich Reserve – 4pm*
*Round robin style of trial match playing the winners of the Rugby League Ipswich and Toowoomba Rugby League 2021 competitions. Ipswich Jets to play each team for 2x20 minute quarters before Bluebirds play Boars play for 2x20 quarters.
QRLW Premiership
Saturday, February 26
Burleigh Bears v Brisbane Tigers at Pizzey Park – 4pm
Hastings Deering Colts
Saturday, February 26
Tweed Seagulls v Souths Logan Magpies at Tugun – 12.30pm^ (cancelled)
Burleigh Bears v Brisbane Tigers at Pizzey Park – 5.30pm
Norths Devils v Redcliffe Dolphins at Bishop Park - 3pm
Wynnum Manly Seagulls v Sunshine Coast Falcons at Beenleigh Juniors – 4pm
Sunday, February 27
Northern Pride v Edmonton Storm at Peterson Park, Edmonton - 5pm
Northern Pride v Kangaroos at Peterson Park, Edmonton - 6.30pm^ (updated time)
Main image: Brisbane Tigers and Norths Devils in their Hostplus Cup trial match last weekend. Photo: Mel Tabet / Brisbane Tigers Media
