The Queensland Rugby Union has today confirmed the Queensland Premier Rugby season draw for 2022, with the nine Premier Rugby clubs set to return to action in April.
The competition will kick-off on Saturday 23 April, and following the 18 regular season rounds, the 2022 finals series will kick-off in September, with the Grand Finals for all grades set to take place over the weekend of 17-18 September.
Round 1 of the 2022 season will see Norths host Souths at Hugh Courtney Oval, Easts take on Sunnybank at David Wilson Field, Brothers will battle one of their closest rivals in GPS at Crosby Park and St Lucia will host the first west-side derby of the year, as reigning premiers University of Queensland go head-to-head with Wests.
After University of Queensland secured a 29-14 win over GPS in the 2021 Grand Final at Suncorp Stadium, the Gallopers will have to wait until Round 9 for a chance at redemption, when the Students host the Grand Final replay on campus at UQ.
In 2022, the Queensland Premier Rugby competition will host two themed rounds that will incorporate all nine clubs, with Indigenous Round being held in Round 6, while Queensland Rugby’s In Touch Mental Health Program will be at the forefront of Round 10.
Queensland Rugby’s General Manager – Community Rugby Gaven Head said: “We’ve worked closely with our clubs and broadcast partners to lock in the 2022 draw and we’re pleased to have this locked in.
“We’ve been able to start the competition in April, which will see the competition run through to September, allowing for the clubs to have plenty of time to prepare in the new year before trial games kick-off in March.
“We look forward to hosting themed rounds across the competition in 2022, something that we’ve introduced slowly over the past two seasons. Round 6 will give the clubs and the competition the chance to celebrate and acknowledge the Indigenous people of Australia. Round 10 will provide the competition with the opportunity to promote QRU’s In Touch Mental Health program, headlined by the Rick Tyrrell Cup match between Easts and Sunnybank.
“2021 was a landmark year for the competition, with all four games each week brought to fans live via Stan Sport, as well as selected regular season matches, and the finals series broadcast live on free-to-air television via 9Gem.
“We look forward to continuing to grow and develop our relationship and broadcast offerings with both Stan and Nine Entertainment Corporation (NEC) in 2022, and delivering outcomes for our nine Premier Rugby clubs”
2022 will again see all four matches every weekend broadcast LIVE and on demand via Stan Sport, with select matches at the tail end of the season and the finals series to also be broadcast LIVE via 9Gem.
For more information on the Queensland Premier Rugby competition, visit https://qld.rugby/qpr-match-day?id=9cQk3DwpaXRFpAvE5
