Queensland Premier Rugby earmarked for August start

Thu, May 28, 2020, 5:36 AM
AAP
by AAP
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Queensland's premier rugby competition is set to return on August 1, the QRU announced on Thursday.

Initially slated for a July 1 return, more clarity around the Queensland government's plan for sports has allowed the QRU too announce a shortened indicative draw kicking off on August 1.

The first round will effectively act as a trial for the Hospital Challenge Cup sides, with no competition points up for grabs but those games will be played under the usual tournament conditions.

Crowds will not be permitted for the foreseeable future but that will be revisited as the competition progresses.

Ballymore will be available for clubs to use as a venue for at least the first three rounds with a number of coronavirus restrictions set to be in place even as Queensland moves into  phase two and three of its road map to lifting restrictions.

QRU head of community rugby Gaven Head said all the Premier Rugby clubs had been consulted in establishing a plan for the competition.

“We’ve been working hard with all nine of our Premier Rugby clubs to come up with a solution for return to play," he said.

“There has been a lot of positive buy-in from club officials to work through the process and figure out what is feasible for each club and their venues.

“Given there are no trial matches, the first Round at least won’t count for Hospital Challenge Cup competition points, to allow for teams to have their first hit out, however the matches will all be played under normal competition rules with set teams of 23 players and restricted substitutions.

“Given the challenges faced by many within the rugby community during this period, it’s really positive to be able to lock in an indicative plan for Premier Rugby that will hopefully provide our club players and Rugby fans alike something to look forward to in the near future.”

DRAW

Queensland Premier Rugby schedule

Round 1 – August 1

Souths vs Brothers

Sunnybank vs Easts

GPS vs Wests

Norths vs University of Queensland

BYE – Bond University

Round 2 – August 8

Bond University vs Sunnybank

Brothers vs Norths

Wests vs Easts

GPS vs Souths

BYE – University of Queensland

Round 3 –  August 15

Bond University vs Norths

GPS vs Brothers

University of Queensland vs Easts

Sunnybank vs Souths

BYE – Wests

Round 4 – August 22

Brothers vs Bond University

Easts vs GPS

Sunnybank vs University of Queensland

Norths vs Wests

BYE – Souths

Round 5 – August 29

Bond University vs Easts

Wests vs Brothers

GPS vs Sunnybank

University of Queensland vs Souths

BYE – Norths

Round 6 – September 5

Souths vs Bond University

Easts vs Norths

GPS vs University of Queensland

Wests vs Sunnybank

BYE – Brothers

Round 7 – September 12

Brothers vs University of Queensland

Wests vs Bond University

Souths vs Easts

Norths vs GPS

BYE – Sunnybank

Round 8 – September 19

Brothers vs Souths

Easts vs Sunnybank

Wests vs GPS

University of Queensland vs Norths

BYE – Bond University

Round 9 – September 26

Sunnybank vs Bond University

Norths vs Brothers

Easts vs Wests

Souths vs GPS

BYE – University of Queensland

Round 10 – October 3

Souths vs Norths

Bond University vs GPS

Sunnybank vs Brothers

University of Queensland vs Wests

BYE – Easts

Round 11 –  October 10

Bond University vs University of Queensland

Brothers vs Easts

Norths vs Sunnybank

Wests vs Souths

BYE – GPS

Semi-Finals

Weekend of October 17-18

Preliminary Finals

October 24-25

Grand Finals

October 31 - November 1

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