No NRL link for Queensland Cup
A PUSH may have emerged to have NSW Cup games played as curtain raisers to NRL matches, but the Queensland Rugby League is happy to continue running its highly popular Intrust Super Cup as standalone fixtures.
It was revealed yesterday that the idea of playing NSW Cup clashes before first grade games was gaining momentum among NRL chairmen as a way to increase the NSW Cup's dying popularity and status.
It may also mean Toyota Cup players weren't rushed into first grade so quickly.
But QRL CEO Rob Moore said the Q Cup structure would remain in place.
That would mean colts, reserve grade and Intrust Cup matches would continue to be played on the same day at the same venue and not be moved to Suncorp Stadium, Skilled Park or Dairy Farmers Stadium as curtain-raisers to Broncos, Titans or Cowboys matches.
"We have 12 teams in the Intrust Super Cup and only three NRL teams in Queensland, so to use our competition games as curtain raisers would be difficult," Moore said.
"We're doing pretty well as a standalone competition - and we have a Sunday afternoon game televised on Channel Nine before the NRL match."
Moore acknowledged some senior players could lose interest having to play at regional locations in New South Wales, but said he didn't believe that was happening in the Intrust Cup.
