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NRL to go regional for finals matches

3 minute read

The NRL will take at least two games to regional venues in the first week of the finals with Townsville poised to host a double-header in week one.

Roosters coach TRENT ROBINSON.
Roosters coach TRENT ROBINSON. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

The NRL will go regional for the first week of its finals series with Townsville poised to host a double-header next Saturday night and Sunshine Coast and Mackay also in the mix for games.

The NRL is expected to announce Townsville's Queensland Country Bank Stadium as a key venue, after it also became the last-minute destination for State of Origin I this year.

It will mark the first time an NRL match not involving the Cowboys will be played in the city, after they first hosted a finals match back in 2004.

Other regional venues could also still host matches during the finals series, as the NRL try to spread the love.

They are also contending with Rugby Championship Test double headers between Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina on the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Townsville and Gold Coast again in coming weeks.

So far NRL regular season matches have been held at packed grounds in Redcliffe, Toowoomba, Mackay, Rockhampton and on the Sunshine Coast as well as regular NRL grounds during league's Queensland Hub.

Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson this week backed the call for finals matches to be played in regional centres, with crowds in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast having been largely disappointing.

"I think we had more at Toowoomba for our Sunday game against St George Illawarra than we had at Suncorp for our Souths game," Robinson said.

"There's the advertisement right there. That was at capacity."

The NRL is yet to confirm the venue for the October 3 grand final, however Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium is all but assured of hosting its first decider since the 1997 Super League finale.

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