Sydney Roosters and St George Dragons to clash in Toowoomba

Toowoomba has secured an NRL game between Roosters and the Dragons on the back of the Chronicle’s ‘Give Us A Game’ campaign.

SHOWDOWN: Tedesco will lead the Sydney Roosters against the St George-Illawarra Dragons on Sunday, August 22.

COVID forced the NRL to move to Queensland and now Toowoomba is set for a massive financial windfall.

Toowoomba will play host to an NRL blockbuster on Sunday, August 22 in a game community leaders estimate will be worth at least $1 million to the region

The high flying Sydney Roosters will take on St George Illawarra Dragons at Clive Berghofer Stadium from 2pm.

It comes off the back of a united ‘Give Us A Game’ campaign between The Chronicle and Toowoomba Regional Council that was launched on July 13.

“I want to thank the NRL for making this kind of decision - it’s a badge of honour for our city,” Toowoomba Regional Council mayor Paul Antonio said.

“It’s with pride we’ll have this match because of the history with rugby league we have in Toowoomba.

“Thank you to The Chronicle for being involved with this campaign alongside us from day one.”

Dragons player Cameron McInnes fires off a pass during the round 3 NRL game played at Clive Berghofer Stadium in 2018.

The National Rugby League (NRL) confirmed the Telstra Premiership will remain in Queensland for the remainder of the regular season with other regions including Rockhampton, and Mackay to host games in the final three rounds.

NRL Chief Executive Andrew Abdo said the game would reward fans in regional Queensland for their ongoing support of rugby league.

“The pandemic is creating many challenges, but it is also creating opportunities,” he said.

“We’re really excited to be taking games to Rockhampton, Mackay and Toowoomba in the final three weeks of the regular season.

“Rugby League heartlands are right throughout regional Queensland.

“We have some of our most passionate supporters in these regions and we wanted to ensure we rewarded those fans with as many opportunities as possible to watch their heroes live.”

Mr Abdo thanked the Queensland Government and local councils throughout Queensland for their support in ensuring the continuity of the season.

“The rising infection rate in NSW has made it impossible to return to NSW,” he said

“I want to thank the Queensland Government and their relevant agencies, particularly Queensland Health, for their ongoing support to ensure the season can continue safely in all communities.

“I also want to thank the various councils and local rugby league clubs for accommodating our competition at such short notice.

“What I’m most proud of during the pandemic is how the whole game has come together to ensure the continuity of the competition

“I want to thank the clubs, the players and our broadcast partners who have ensured we can play multiple games at regional venues in the final three rounds. It’s ensured a great outcome for our fans.”

Ash Taylor takes on the Dragons line during the round 3 NRL game played at Clive Berghofer Stadium in 2018.

Queensland Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said State Government had worked closely with the NRL to deliver a Covid-safe football haven.

“This season, the Palaszczuk Government has continued to stand by the NRL to work around the curve balls the pandemic has thrown at elite sport,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“The NRL has always had a great tradition of playing pre-season and premiership games in the regional cities of Queensland’s rugby league heartland.

“We don’t like seeing local and interstate family and friends holed up inside their homes by this insidious virus.

“Yet if there’s an upside to the pandemic, it’s that rugby league-loving regional Queenslanders in Mackay, Rockhampton and the Darling Downs will get to cheer on NRL premiership games at home.

“Nobody wants this pandemic, but right now there’s never been a better time to be a sport-mad Queenslander.”