Reds bound for Dalby

QUEENSLAND Reds and NSW Waratahs heading to Downs in January for Super Rugby pre-season match.

Samu Kerevi (left) with Harry Hoopert at this year's Dalby Junior Rugby Union sign-on day at John Ritter Oval.

RUGBY UNION : Super Rugby action is bound for Dalby.

For the first time in a decade, the Queensland Reds will play the NSW Waratahs in a pre-season fixture in country Queensland with Dalby its next stop.

The Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) has announced the Reds will head to the town on Friday, January 24, with the match hosted in conjunction with Dalby Rugby Club and Downs Rugby.

Queensland last played the Waratahs in country Queensland back in 2009 for a pre-season fixture at Gold Park in Toowoomba.

In the lead-up to next year’s match, the Reds will hit the Darling Downs earlier in the week with community activities and open training sessions scheduled throughout the region.

Dalby club president Neil Kiley said the opportunity to host the two heavyweight rugby clubs was a coup for the town and region’s sport community.

“We are hopeful of the Reds being here on the Tuesday of that week and there will be wide benefits for the town,” Kiley said.

“I believe there is a possibility of them also visiting Chinchilla and Condamine.

“Former Dalby junior Harry Hoopert will be part of the squad which adds plenty of extra interest to the match.

“A game of this calibre provides the opportunity to introduce a lot of young kids to high quality rugby.

“The council has been a really big help, along with the QRU and Downs Rugby, in bringing this game to Dalby and we’re all very much looking forward to it.”

QRU CEO David Hanham said the Reds relished the opportunity to link with country rugby supporters.

“We’re pleased to have the Queensland Reds in Dalby and we thank Western Downs Regional Council for making this event possible,” Hanham said.

“This team represents all regions across Queensland and it’s important for us to connect with communities like Dalby.

“The Darling Downs has a strong participation base and is a breeding ground for rugby talent.

“Harry Hoopert played for the Dalby Wheatmen and is a proud Jondaryan product.”

Further details about the fixture and community activities across the region in the lead-up to the match will be announced soon.