2009 NRL Trial Matches (Updated)

An historic ‘Members Only’ trial match at Redfern Oval will be among the highlights of an NRL pre-season that features battles for two trophies and 24 matches across three countries, three states and two territories.<br><br>The Raiders and Sharks squads will kick-off the pre-season action at Seiffert Oval on Saturday, January 24, ahead of the historic ‘Members Only’ Return to Redfern match between the Rabbitohs and Wests Tigers at Redfern Oval on Sunday, February 8.<br><br>“The Return to Redfern match is historic for two reasons," Rabbitohs Chief Executive, Shane Richardson, said today.<br>&nbsp;<br>“Firstly, it is the return of the Rabbitohs to Redfern Oval, for which we need to thank the City of Sydney Council. <br><br>“Secondly, it is the first 'Members Only' trial match in the history of the NRL, which is exciting and rewarding for our Members.”<br>&nbsp;<br>The first round of official NRL Pre-Season Trials will start on Saturday, February 21, with the Storm hosting the Knights in Melbourne, the Broncos playing the Raiders at Redcliffe, the Dragons and Bulldogs clashing in the Mercury Challenge in Wollongong, the Titans and Sharks venturing to the Top End for their match in Darwin, the Panthers and Eels clashing at Penrith and the Roosters and Wests Tigers playing for the Foundation Cup at the SFS.<br><br>On Sunday, February 22, the Warriors will host the Cowboys in Auckland.<br><br>The annual Charity Shield clash between the Rabbitohs and Dragons at ANZ Stadium on Saturday, February 28, will be the highlight of a second week of official NRL trials that also features the Titans and Warriors in Lismore, the Cowboys and Panthers in Cairns, the Eels and Roosters in Gosford, the Knights tackling the Sharks in Cessnock, the Broncos and Storm playing on the Sunshine Coast and Raiders and Bulldogs clashing in Brisbane.<br><br>Premiers Manly will warm up for their World Club Challenge campaign with a match against London Harlequins on Sunday, February 22, in London, before tackling Leeds Rhinos in the World Club Challenge Final at Elland Road on Sunday, March 1.<br><br>The 2009 program of trial matches includes:<br>&nbsp;<br><b>Saturday, January 24</b><br>Raiders v Sharks, Seiffert Oval, 6pm<br><br><b>Sunday, February 8</b><br>‘Members Only’ Trial Match: Rabbitohs v Wests Tigers, Redfern Oval, 5:15pm<br><br><b>Thursday, February 12</b><br>Warriors v Storm, Waikato Stadium, Hamilton, 7.30pm<br><br><b>Saturday, February 14</b><br>Eels v Panthers, Exies Oval, Griffith, 6.30pm (Kick-off time TBC)<br>Titans v Broncos, Kougari Oval, Wynnum, 7pm<br>Panthers v Rabbitohs, BCU International Stadium, Coffs Harbour, 7pm<br>Cowboys v Sharks, Mackay Junior RL Ground, Mackay, 7.30pm - <b>CANCELLED</b><br>Dragons v Roosters, Members Equity Stadium, Perth, 7.30pm<br><br><b>Round One of Official NRL Trials<br>Saturday, February 21</b><br>Storm v Knights Princes Park, Melbourne, 6pm<br>Broncos v Raiders, Dolphin Oval, Redcliffe, 7pm<br>Mercury Challenge: Dragons v Bulldogs, WIN Stadium, 7pm<br>Titans v Sharks, Richardson Park, Darwin, 7.30pm<br>Foundation Cup: Roosters v Wests Tigers, Sydney Football Stadium, 7.30pm <br>Panthers v Eels, CUA Stadium, Penrith, 8pm (Kick-off time TBC)<br><br><b>Sunday, February 22</b><br>Warriors v Cowboys, North Harbour Stadium, Auckland, 4pm<br><br><b>Sunday, Feb 22 (United Kingdom)</b><br>Manly Sea Eagles v London Harlequins at The Stoop, London, 3pm<br><br><b>Round Two of Official NRL Trials<br>Saturday, February 28:</b><br>Titans v Warriors, Oakes Oval, Lismore, 7.30pm<br>Cowboys v Panthers, Barlow Park, Cairns, 7.30pm<br>Eels v Roosters, Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford, 7.30pm<br>Knights v Sharks, Baddeley Park, Cessnock, 7.30pm<br>Broncos v Storm, Stockland Park, Kawana, 7.45pm<br>Raiders v Bulldogs, Meakin Park, Brisbane, 8pm<br>Charity Shield: Rabbitohs v Dragons, ANZ Stadium, 8pm<br><br><b>Sunday, March 1: (United Kingdom)</b><br>World Club Challenge Final<br>Manly Sea Eagles v Leeds Rhinos, Elland Road, Leeds, 6pm<br><br>*Please note, all kick-off times are local times.<br>