SPORT and NOW Then QRL History Committee

THIS weekend’s NQ Toyota Cowboys clash with NZ, Warriors, in NZ, and this will be the 46th clash between the two clubs, with a healthy rivalry having built up since 1995.

Back in that year, both the NQ Cowboys and Auckland Warriors debuted in the expanded national league, with 1995 the year the league went from 16 to 20 teams. Apart from NQ Cowboys and Auckland Warriors, two other new teams started, the South Qld Crushers based out of Lang Park in Brisbane and the Perth-based Western Reds.

When the NRL was formed in 1998, both the SQ Crushers and Western Reds ceased to exist, making the Cowboys and Warriors, now known as the NZ Warriors, the only two NRL clubs from the class of 1995.

The rivalry between the two rugby league regions has a long history, though, way before 1995.

NZ sides have been touring Australia since 1908; in fact, it was a touring NZ side in 1908 that helped kickstart the game in Australia. Still, they didn’t venture further north than Brisbane in those early years.

Then by the 1930s, NZ sides would go as far north as Rockhampton to play, and finally, in 1952, 71 years ago, the first NZ side came to NQ to play an NQ side for the very first time.

From that year on, NQ nearly always had a game against the touring NZ side, and in 1995, this rivalry changed to the NQ Cowboys playing the Auckland Warriors. The win-loss is very close, with the Cowboys winning 22 and the Warriors 23 of the games so far!

Historically one of the pivotal clashes between NQ and QZ took place in 1978 when the NQ rep side defeated NZ 2720 in Townville. By all reports, this 1978 clash was one for the ages, with NQ getting up to the delight of the crowd, who only got to see an NQ side play a few times a year.

Not like today, where we have a team in the NRL playing every week of the season an investigation following the reported crocodile attack. The wildlife officers met with QPWS rangers, Yuku Baja Muliku rangers and Traditional Owners, undertaking site assessments.

One member of the victorious 1978 NQ side was an 18-year-old winger who was on his way to becoming a fullyfledged Qld and Australian player that year – Kerry Boustead from Silkwood.

Also on the NQ side that year was Ingham’s Phil Gormley, who went very close to making the Qld side from Ingham in 1978 and 1979.

So let’s hope the NQ Toyota Cowboys can succeed this weekend when they take on the Warriors on their home soil and keep the healthy rivalry alive and well.

There were no further sightings of a crocodile reported in the area.

Archer Point is known croc country. Remember, you are responsible for your own safety in croc country.