The 2022 version of the Queensland Outback versus North Queensland United annual clash heads to Roma this year as part of the Queensland Rugby League's Hostplus Cup ‘Activate! Queensland’ Country Week round.
It’s rather ironic that following last week’s wonderful performance by the Queensland Maroons in the State of Origin decider that these games will be played at the ground named in honour of one of the finest to have ever worn the Maroons jumper - Arthur Beetson Oval.
The home of Roma Cities Gladiators.
This will actually be the second time that Roma has hosted a Queensland Outback representative game, as back in 2010 - under a much different format in the Outback men’s program - the Outback men’s side played NSW Country 2nds at Basset Park.
While last year’s results between the two areas were split one-all, with Outback winning the inaugural women’s game and NQ United successful in the men’s match, the Northerners will face a “tough task” this year, with some of their players catching boats, ferries, two flights and then a 490-kilometre bus trip just to be able to participate in this game.
The NQ United sides are selected from players right throughout the Western Cape, Northern Peninsula Area, Torres Strait, Gulf and Three Rivers competition, and come from remote locations such as Bamaga, Badu Island, Normanton, Thursday Island, St Paul's Island and Weipa.
The Queensland Outback sides were selected at a muster carnival held in mid-June at Longreach, with players from Mount Isa, Longreach, Ilfracombe, Alpha, Barcaldine, Blackall, Charleville, Cunnamulla, Mitchell, St George, Roma, Muckadilla and Wallumbilla gaining selection.
The NQ United teams have gained the services of former North Queensland Cowboy and Queensland Maroon John Buttigieg (FOG #119), to oversee both their sides and the coaching staff of Olsen Sailor (men’s) and Ella-Faye Hosea-Peters (women’s).
Buttigieg last year coached the Queensland Outback women’s side with ex-Jillaroo Nicole Richards (Jillaroo # 43) as his assistant, with Richards this year stepping into the role of head coach of the women’s side.
She will be ably assisted and mentored by Wayne Smith (father of Cameron) as her deputy.
Smith has been an integral part of the Queensland Outback program, and both juniors and seniors, with his involvement over the last seven years.
The Queensland Outback Advisory Committee has also pulled off a major coup in the appointment of Mount Isa-based John Doyle (FOG #118), who will bring a wealth of knowledge in his role of head coach of the Queensland Outback Men’s side.
He will be assisted by Luke Brosnan, who has over the years been a player, assistant coach, head coach and then player again with Outback sides.
Just like in the Origin arena, it’ll be mate v mate, as Doyle goes up against his good friend and former teammate Buttigieg, who both incidentally debuted together in the same Origin match.
The North Queensland United women’s team will certainly have that bit of “unknown factor" about them, but like all teams from the Far North, they’ll certainly have plenty of speed, such as Kodi Wright, as well as hard working forwards Jonah Donovan and Elizabeth Hosea-Peters.
The Queensland Outback women’s side will no doubt rely heavily on some big game experience in BMD Premiership CQ Capras players Kailah Kinsey and local area St George's Reeghyn Beardmore, as well as strong running and illusive backs Daniella Mudu and Gabrielle Holder.
The NQ United men’s side certainly possess plenty of all-round experience with Manu Wigness, Windor Bowie, Aaron Binawel and Brendan Magala in their line-up.
The Queensland Outback side have already lost the services of hard working back-rower Khan Ladbrook with an ankle injury but could be seen to have a slight advantage, as of a lot of their players have played together in these type of representative teams over the last few years, as well as having club combinations in some key positions.
They’ll certainly rely on Kurt Rowbotham and John Russo up front to lay the platform, with creative halves Alex Coonan and Cameron Bartley to direct the team around the paddock.
An interesting side note that Norths Devils for their Hostplus Cup game against ladder leaders Burleigh Bears, have named ex-Queensland Outback Cloncurry junior Kierran Moseley in their squad.
What you need to know for the 2022 Queensland Outback v North Queensland United matches
When
Sunday, July 24
Where
Arthur Beetson Oval, Roma
Team lists
Queensland Outback women
1. Daniella Mudu, 2. May-Ann Thompson, 3. Giaan Green, 4. Gabrielle Holder, 5.
Carlee Clews, 6. Reeghyn Beardmore, 7. Hannah Clarke, 8. Kimberley Saunders, 9. Nadia Hoad, 10. Brittney Smith, 11. April Kratzmann, 12. Serina Rankine, 13.
Kailah Kinsey, 14. Aaliyah Harrison, 15. Chelsea Griffin, 16. Isaiah Retchford, 17. Isabella Williams-Widgell, 18. Seani Bradshaw-Daniel
Coach: Nikki Richards
NQ United women
1. Kodi Wright, 2. Chennile Yellub-Nona, 3. Marisse Bee, 4. Elizabeth Hosea,
5. Davina David, 6. Clarissa Laifoo, 7. Ruth Neliman, 8. Sarah Sailor, 9. Trudy Ronsen, 10. Christal Ware, 11. Moira Hosea, 12. Yoshira Newie, 13. Nikita Aitkens-Kum-Sing, 14. Whenna Ibuai, 15. Jaube-Lashae Turner, 16. Simone Weatherall, 17. Samantha Kris, 18. Harmony Woodley
Coach: Ella-Faye Hosea-Peters
Queensland Outback men
1. Billy Coonan, 2. Lockie Pollock, 3. Thomas Barron, 4. Oliver Peak, 5. Trinity Andrews, 6. Alex Coonan, 7. Cameron Bartley, 8. Kurt Rowbotham, 9. Joseph Packer, 10. John Russo, 11. Logan Hauff, 12. Jackson Shelswell, 13. Trent Hoad, 14. Samuel Munns, 15. Jeremy Munro, 16. Matthew Eising, 17. Sam Cunningham, 18. Jack Radnedge
Coach: John Doyle
NQ United men
1. Sig Manu Wigness, 2. Mauga Nona, 3. Richard Joinbee, 4. Daniel Nona, 5. Mikalec Young, 6. Aaron Binawel, 7. Brendan Magala, 8. Zengrey Lifu-Nona, 9. Theodore Mosby, 10. Masi Nona, 11. Bauz Harry, 12. Tabua Woosup, 13. Nabainia Sailor, 14. Bill Joseph, 15. Dabus Mauga, 16. Eli Anau, 17. Joe Bond, 18. Wuralumbe Pablo, 19. Jeffrey Neliman
Coach: Olsen Sailor
Program
8am: Gates open
9am: Under 16 Red Bulls v Mitchell
10am: Under 16 Cities v St George
11am: Women's Queensland Outback v North Queensland United
12.15pm: Men's Queensland Outback v North Queensland United
2.10pm: Hostplus Cup Norths Devils v Burleigh Bears
Entry
Tickets are $5 for pensioners and students (15 years and over) and $10 for adults.
Where to watch
Watch the Queensland Outback v North Queensland United matches live through Qplus.tv.
