XXXX City v Country referees excited to facilitate passionate rivalry

Referees Izzy Davidson and Cody Kwik are looking forward to being at the helm of what promise to be two exciting XXXX City versus Country contests at Kayo Stadium on Sunday as part of QRL Grand Final Day, presented by Ford.

The women's match at 1.30pm and men's match at 3.30pm will showcase the best community A grade talent from across Queensland, with both officials eager to play their part in facilitating a passionate rivalry.

Gold Coast referee Davidson will command the women's match fresh off time spent in the NRLW, compiling four appearances as a touch judge and learning from some of the best minds in their craft.

"It's my first year I've had a run in NRLW and being in that environment has really taken my officiating to the next level and been really, really cool," Davidson said.

"Information sharing has been the main thing I've taken away from NRLW... just how the touch judges and referees interact with each other and how they talk themselves through everything that happens throughout the game just to make it a free-flowing game of footy."

Davidson, who refereed the NRL National Schoolgirls Cup grand final last week, said after officiating the Gold Coast Vikings versus Ipswich Diggers women's match at the XXXX Chair's Challenge in July, fans could expect some high-level footy and was excited to join the players in the next step up.

"There was some really good football played in the game I did, the shifting, the block plays, the footy just moved up and down the field really well," she said.

Kwik, who refereed the Brisbane Rugby League Premier A grade grand final at the weekend and at the XXXX Chair's Challenge carnival in July, will take the reins of the men's XXXX City versus Country contest and was "pretty pumped" for the opportunity to contribute.

"Any kind of rep footy, a lot of the players haven't played a lot with each other so they tend to get a lot more off-the-cuff, which can be quite enjoyable to referee, a lot of second-phase play and you've just got to stay super-aware of everything, because in the blink of an eye, something can change and you've got to adapt to it," he said.

"I'm positive there's going to be plenty of passion behind all the players, they're all going to put on a big run or big hit, trying to create space for their teammates and score some points and celebrating pretty well too."

Kwik also had the experience of being part of the officiating crew for the Mount Isa Rugby League men's grand final this year, giving him an insight into the contrasting styles of play of City and Country footy, which will serve to aid his decision-making for the big occasion.

"In City footy, there might be a bit structure because there are a lot of statewide clubs around, whereas Country footy they're a bit more spread out and you have a much bigger variety of players present themselves, and they just put their head down and work themselves so hard," he said.

Kwik was hoping for a big crowd to roll up early and provide a worthy atmosphere for the XXXX City versus Country.

"Just like the players, when you get a big crowd, it gives you an adrenalin rush, and you feel more switched on, you feel more is going to happen because the crowd is louder - they can boo louder too - but you just adapt to it and put your best foot forward," he said.

Kwik said he felt he'd be doing that more often than not in 2024, finding a greater consistency at a high level that should serve him well on Sunday.

Secure your seat today to Sunday's QRL Grand Final Day, presented by Ford, with tickets from as little as $10 to see both XXXX City v Country matches and the Hostplus Cup grand final between Norths Devils and Redcliffe Dolphins.

Gates open at 1.15pm Sunday.

The XXXX City versus Country matches will additionally be available to watch live and free on Qplus.tv.

QRL Grand Final Day, presented by Ford

1.15pm: Gates open

1.30pm: XXXX City v Country - Women

3.30pm: XXXX City v Country - Men

5.30pm: Hostplus Cup grand final - Redcliffe Dolphins v Norths Devils

Main image: Izzy Davidson refereeing during the 2024 Mal Meninga Cup. Photo: Vanessa Hafner/QRL