The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys NRLW side will open their inaugural season with an away clash against Queensland rivals the Gold Coast Titans on July 22.
In the nine-round draw announced by the NRL today, North Queensland battle the Gold Coast and reigning premiers Newcastle away in the opening two rounds before returning home for the Cowboys’ first ever NRLW home game against arch-rivals Brisbane in Round 3.
Undoubtedly the highlight of today’s draw announcement, the Cowboys and Broncos will clash in a historic NRLW and NRL double header at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Saturday, August 5. The NRLW is slated to kick off at 12.50pm, with the NRL to follow at 3pm.
The Cowboys have two further home matches at Queensland Country Bank Stadium – Round 5 against Cronulla on Saturday, August 19 and Round 7 against St George Illawarra on Saturday, September 2.
North Queensland battle fellow new entrants the Wests Tigers in Round 4 at Totally Workwear Stadium in Brisbane and the Raiders at Cbus Super Stadium in Round 8.
In total, six of the Cowboys nine games will be played in Saturday timeslots, with the remaining three set for Sundays.
“This is another exciting step as we edge closer to our inaugural season in the NRLW,” Cowboys CEO Jeff Reibel said.
“Since our NRL team entered the premiership in 1995, we have forged one of the great rugby league rivalries and true Queensland derby with the Brisbane Broncos, so it is only fitting to play our first ever home NRLW game against our traditional rivals.
“Our further two games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium are terrific opportunities to showcase the women’s game, firstly with a standalone game against the Sharks in Round 5, followed by an all NRLW double-header in Round 7.
“On top of three home games, we have two additional games in Queensland, meaning more than half our games will be played in Queensland.
“Now we have a draw, we will work with Queensland Country Bank Stadium on pricing and detail for individual games, which we hope to have finalised soon. NRLW memberships are already on sale and are available at cowboys.com.au.”
