The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys will return to Cairns next year to play the Gold Coast Titans in an NRL trial match at Barlow Park on 21 February.
Cowboys’ general manager – football Peter Parr and back-rower Gavin Cooper were in Cairns today along with Cairns District Rugby League representatives to announce details of the trial which will be the Cowboys’ last before round one of the 2015 NRL season.
“This game will be our most important hit-out of the pre-season so our members and supporters in the Cairns region can expect that we will field our best possible lineup,” Parr said.
“The Cowboys have always enjoyed great support in Far North Queensland and we’ve always backed local rugby league there whether it’s by playing matches, providing financial and player support to the Northern Pride, assisting the CDRL where we can or helping to develop the area’s junior rugby league talent.
“This is the 11th time in 13 years that we’ve played in Cairns and I know it’s going to be another huge night. We’re really looking forward to it.”
The Cowboys’ last appearance at Barlow Park was in 2013 when they defeated St George Illawarra in front of a near-sellout crowd.
“We are thrilled to be bringing another top level game of rugby league to the footy-loving people of Cairns,” Cairns District Rugby League operations manager Pat Bailey said.
“We have a close relationship with the Cowboys, as do the Northern Pride, and we are very grateful the Cowboys have chosen Cairns as the venue for their final trial game in 2015.
“It’s a real coup for the region to be putting on world-class rugby league, and we expect there will be another huge sell-out crowd.”
Tickets for the game will go on sale early in the new year.
In an extra treat for fans, Intrust Super Cup premiers and NRL State Championship winners Northern Pride will take on the Cowboys’ NYC squad.
Pre-season trial: North Queensland Toyota Cowboys v Gold Coast Titans
Saturday 21 February 2015, Barlow Park, Cairns
5pm – Northern Pride v NQ Cowboys Under 20s
7.30pm – NQ Cowboys v Gold Coast Titans
