Tri-Nations game must come to Townsville

[DIEHARD]

It is Townsville's turn.

The Australian Rugby League must bring one of next year's Tri-Nations series matches to Dairy Farmers Stadium.

While the region is regularly talked about as a possible candidate for a major rugby league match we always seems to miss out.

Through their support of the Cowboys, North Queensland rugby league fans have shown they are the equal of any sports fans in the country. And they deserve the opportunity to see a fully fledged Test match in their own back yard.

With three Tri-Series games scheduled for Australia and three for New Zealand, the logical decision would be to play one game in Brisbane, one in Newcastle, one in Townsville and the final in Sydney.

Already it has been suggested by ARL chief executive Geoff Carr that Melbourne will host one match.

Melbourne already is hosting a State of Origin match next year and it is simply ridiculous to give them a Test match as well at the expense of Townsville or Newcastle, or both.

Dairy Farmers Stadium's capacity will be about 25,000 after an off-season upgrade and there is no doubt it would be filled for a Test match.

The region's support of a wide range of international and national sporting events over the past few years is added proof -- if any were needed -- that this region wholeheartedly gets behind its sport.

North Queensland rugby league supporters would have every right to feel upset with the game's administrators if they were overlooked this time.

Source: Townsville Bulletin

[DIEHARD]

Townsville deserve Test Matches but not in next year's Tri Nations.

The three games plus a final must go to...

Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and the Final in Sydney.

We need to take matches to the big cities and prepare the way for the World Cup.

Townsville, Canberra, Newcastle and the Gold Coast will get their turns and more when the World Cup comes in 2008.

For now the Tri Nations matches must stay in the big cities and possibly have games in the regional areas with the prospectively touring French and near by PNG. Remember the Kangaroos and British will most likely play a team in their off weeks, why not host them in regional locations?

Or even have a mooted secondary Tri Nations with France, PNG and Pacific Islands?

There are only four Australian based games availible.

- One will go to Brisbane for obvious reasons.
- One will go to Melbourne as the ARL are contracted to host one there and it is part of their $23 million assault into Victoria.
- The Final will be in Sydney at Telstra Stadium.

It leaves one game that isn't locked in stone.

I would prefer it to go to Sydney and to be hosted at the Sydney Football Stadium.

[Queenslander]

1000% agree with you. Townsville is footy mad. And even if they get a New Zealand vs G.B game it will still be a full house. If the NRL really cares about the fans this should be one of the first stops for the Tri Nations Down Under.