Fans have just two days left to vote for their favourite players in the Harvey Norman All Stars clash and now NRL coaches are facing their own selection countdown for a pre-season campaign starting in 11 days and featuring matches across NSW, Queensland, Western Australia, Northern Territory and New Zealand.
While the historic encounter on the Gold Coast between the Indigenous All Stars and NRL All Stars on February 13 will mark the official launch of the 2010 Telstra Premiership season, an action-packed pre-season featuring the Charity Shield, Foundation Cup, Mercury Challenge, Battle of the West Cup and World Club Challenge Final is poised to begin next weekend.
The Rabbitohs and Sea Eagles will contest the second ever ‘Members Only’ trial at Redfern Oval on Sunday, February 7, ahead of matches in Dubbo, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Mackay, Cairns, Rockhampton, Ipswich, Gold Coast, Perth, Darwin, Auckland, Rotorua and a special double-header at Gosford’s Bluetongue Stadium.
“Today’s Charity Shield launch is a timely reminder that the season is fast approaching,” NRL Chief Executive, Mr David Gallop, said.
“The Telstra Premiership kicks off in just 44 days and before then we will have teams travelling across Australia for trial matches and for the game’s Community Carnival.
“The All Stars match will be an historic event for the game and it will provide a focal point for the outstanding work Rugby League is doing in communities across the country, not just during that week and during the Community Carnival, but throughout the year.”
The 2010 program of trial matches includes: (please note, all times are LOCAL times)
Sunday, February 7
South Sydney Rabbitohs v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (Australian Technology Park Performance Centre, Redfern Oval – Return To Redfern 2010), 6pm
Friday, February 12
Gold Coast Titans v Brisbane Broncos Toyota Cup (Briggs Road Oval, Ipswich), 7.30pm
North Queensland Cowboys v Wests Tigers (Tiger Park, Walkerston - Mackay), 8pm
Cronulla Sharks v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (Toyota Stadium), 7.30pm
Saturday, February 13
Warriors v Sydney Roosters (Rotorua International Stadium, NZ), 5pm
Newcastle Knights v Newcastle Rep Side (Tomaree Sporting Complex), 7pm
Indigenous All Stars v NRL All Stars (Harvey Norman All Stars match, Skilled Park, Gold Coast), 6.30pm
Brisbane Broncos v Melbourne Storm (Browne Park, Rockhampton), 8.15pm
Sunday, February 14
St George Illawarra Dragons v Parramatta Eels (Members Equity Stadium, Perth), 2.30pm
Saturday, February 20
St George Illawarra Dragons v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (WIN Stadium, Wollongong - Mercury Challenge), 3.15pm
South Sydney Rabbitohs v Gold Coast Titans (BCU International Stadium, Coffs Harbour), 7pm
Newcastle Knights v Melbourne Storm (St John Oval, Charlestown), 7pm
Canberra Raiders v Brisbane Broncos (Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane), 7.30pm
North Queensland Cowboys v Warriors (Barlow Park, Cairns), 7.30pm
Penrith Panthers v Parramatta Eels (CUA Stadium, Penrith - Battle of the West Cup), 7.30pm
Sunday, February 21
Sydney Roosters v Wests Tigers (Sydney Football Stadium - Foundation Cup), 6pm
Melbourne Storm v London Harlequins (The Stoop, Twickenham), 2pm GMT
Saturday, February 27
Warriors v Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (North Harbour Stadium, Auckland, NZ), 5pm
Wests Tigers v Cronulla Sharks (Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford), 5.15pm
Sydney Roosters v Parramatta Eels (Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford), 7.30pm
Penrith Panthers v Newcastle Knights (Port Macquarie Regional Stadium), 7pm
Brisbane Broncos v Redcliffe Dolphins (Dolphin Oval, Redcliffe), 7.15pm
North Queensland Cowboys v Gold Coast Titans (Richardson Park, Darwin), 7.30pm
South Sydney Rabbitohs v St George Illawarra Dragons (ANZ Stadium - Charity Shield), 8pm
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Canberra Raiders (APEX Oval, Dubbo), 7.30pm
Melbourne Storm v Sunshine Coast Falcons (Maroochydore Junior Rugby League Complex) Kick-off time TBA
Sunday, February 28
Leeds Rhinos v Melbourne Storm (Elland Road, Leeds, UK - World Club Challenge), 7pm GMT
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