Brisbane won’t have to wait too long to seek revenge for their defeat in this year’s NRL decider, after their grand final rematch with North Queensland was confirmed on Wednesday Morning for Good Friday in 2016.
The Broncos and the Cowboys will meet a month into the 2016 season in a bumper clash in round four at Suncorp Stadium in what shapes as a potential sell-out.
Premiers the Cowboys confirmed on Wednesday the match has been set down for March 25 in Brisbane.
The grand final replay will come five and a half months after North Queensland’s epic 17-16 win in this year’s decider at ANZ Stadium.
The scheduling will make for a massive Good Friday for the NRL, with the game following the traditional Canterbury v South Sydney match which will be once again at ANZ Stadium.
The Bulldogs and Rabbitohs clash will reprise one of the most controversial matches of 2015 named “Black Friday” which was marred by referee abuse and crowd violence.
It was originally reported that the Cowboys would open their season against the Brisbane Broncos on a Thursday Night. However, they requested to start their season over the weekend to please their regional fan base, meaning this game was shifted to round four in Brisbane on Good Friday.
Bulldog
Guest
Fair points. It will be interesting to see how they go. There was so much pressure on JT to win it from the media, fans and most importantly himself. Could go either way - maybe he and the rest of the team lose their hunger OR JT goes to another level with all that pressure off his shoulders. Seeing footage of him on the trophy tours around NQ he just looks so relaxed.... The good thing about being up in Tville is that the Cows will be a little bit out of sight out of mind compared to Souths who had a lot of media pressure placed on them for the back to back. Souths also lost their best player so that did not help. Anyway it will be interesting... Bring on 2016
Tom Oakley
Guest
Round 1- Thursday: Parramatta v Brisbane Friday: Manly v Bulldogs Saturday: Tigers v Warriors, Panthers v Raiders, Cowboys v Sharks Sunday: Knights v Titans, Roosters v Rabbitiohs Monday: Storm v Dragons
American Dave
Guest
Have to agree with WDD on this one. I think, actually as I have never really talked to the guy this should say hope, JT and Scott have the desire to bring that 1%. If they do hopefully that will bring the other with them. And who knows some times getting the expectation monkey off your back can work wonders. The All Blacks seemed to do pretty well when it went away.
marco
Guest
The season opener is an interesting choice. Broncos vs Parra. Two teams at opposite ends of the ladder.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Who knows for instance how Thurston will respond to finally winning the Cowboys their maiden premiership. So much of his game has been based off sheer determination and competitiveness. One of the hardest things for teams attempting the back to back is retaining that hunger. Souths looked like they still had it after a blistering start, but fell away hard due to injuries and a large brown patch of form. The illegal storm team were the only ones who were a true chance because of Bellamys great work as coach but even they fell short with poor patches of form here and there along with injuries and suspensions to key players at the big dance.
db swannie
Guest
As a fan I think we can finish top4 Can we win it 2 yrs straight . I doubt it . That 1% desire/will etc to conquer the mountain is not there . You have already achieved that goal . & as in most sports that 1 % is a difference between winning & losing . I hope I'm wrong but that's how I see it
The Barry
Roar Guru
Good luck but... I don't think the Cowboys have any better chance than any other team that's attempted it in the last 20-odd years. It's ridiculously difficult to go back to back. They will have to travel to the UK for the WCC. Every team will lift to knock off the defending premiers. They'll have the distractions of negotiations as once fringe first graders, now premiership winners seek upgrades. It's very common that teams that don't refresh their squad tend to stagnate and go backwards - even if they're very good teams. I reckon its more so for premiership winning teams. You need new blokes coming in to push the older guys and get rid of complacency. 'Higher standards' are also difficult to achieve. A lot of the drive is missing. The Cowboys had the extra incentives of their first premiership and the 'do it for Thurston factor' - both of which are missing this year. As I say good to luck to them...they're a good team to watch, they're a mostly likeable bunch. Thurston, Morgan, Cooper and Scott are some of my favourite players going around at the moment. But they will be pushing it uphill to go back to back.
ferret
Guest
Broadly speaking, I'll see you at the GF, but only to cheer the Broncs to a much deserved win!!
Broadly Speaking
Guest
Early last year I predicted the Cowboys would beat he Broncos 16-15 in the big dance and it turned out I was maybe two thirds correct. Now this year the Cowboys team has a very rare opportunity to become truly legendary by winning back-to-back premierships with EXACTLY the same 17 players. Has this ever been done before???? I also reckon the Cowboys squad and coaching staff are capable of conquering the comp from eighth position because Greeny, Thursty, Scotty and Co will be driven to set higher standards of play each game (fixing slow starts) and let winning and history take care of itself.... (Don't be surprised to see Thursty win a swag of 2016 and 17 awards before he retires,,,,) The bonuses for me will be North Queensland defeating Brisbane again with Thursty this time kicking the wining conversion from the sideline @ 78 min mark (just for Wayne) for a final scoreline of 16-15!!!!