XXXX Queensland Rangers Go Abroad

FROM the gulf to the minefields, the coast to the cattle plains, Rugby League players from across Queensland will have the chance to represent their state and tour New Zealand in 2006.

Offering an opportunity to all players outside the Queensland Wizard Cup and National Rugby League ranks, this year?s XXXX Queensland Rangers team will participate in a four-way tournament in Rotorua in June and July.

This will mark the first time the XXXX Rangers have represented overseas.

Not only will those selected spend a total of 13 days abroad, they will also have a chance to further ambitions of a career in Rugby League.

From the 2005 XXXX Rangers squad a total of 12 players have been contracted by Wizard Cup or NRL clubs this year.

The 2006 XXXX Rangers squad has been picked from the QRL Divisional Championships at Kawana on May 27-28, contested by team?s representing Queensland?s Northern, Central, Wide Bay, Southern, South East and South West.

Players also have the opportunity to qualify for the side from the Outback Carnival in Winton on June 10-11, including smaller catchments such as Mount Isa, the Mid West, Central West and Far South West.

Marshall Colwell of Townsville has been appointed to coach the XXXX Rangers.

Teams to face the XXXX Rangers in Rotorua from Wednesday, June 21 to Saturday, July 1 will represent New South Wales Country, New Zealand Residents and the Jim Beam Cup competition.

Situated in the Bay of Plenty region, Rotorua is located approximately 230km south-east from Auckland on the New Zealand north island.

May 27-28 QRL Divisional Championships, Quad Park, Kawana
Jun 10-11 QRL Outback Carnival, Winton
Jun 20 XXXX Queensland Rangers arrive Rotorua, New Zealand
Jun 21, 24, 29 Tournament Matches
Jul 1 Tournament Finals
Jul 2 XXXX Queensland Rangers depart Rotorua, New Zealand

XXXX QUEENSLAND RANGERS GRADUATES 2005

? ATKINS, Jordan (South West Div >> Burleigh Bears)
? BRYANT, James (Northern Div >> Ipswich Jets)
? DAYLIGHT, Shaun (Wide Bay Div >> Wynnum Manly Seagulls)
? FLETCHER, Derek (South East Div >> Sths Logan Magpies & PNG)
? GEORGETOWN, Liam (South East Div >> Penrith Panthers)
? LEACH, Chad (South East Div >> Norths Devils & PNG)
? MARSHALL, Brendon (Outback >> Ipswich Jets)
? McKENZIE, Mark (South West Div >> Easts Tigers)
? MULCAHY, Cameron (South West Div >> Ipswich Jets)
? SMITH, Ben (Wide Bay Div >> Easts Tigers)
? WERTH, Aaron (South West Div >> Ipswich Jets)
? WUERSCHING, Phil (South East Div >> Norths Devils)

2004

? BOWMAN, Nathaniel (Northern Div >> Sths Logan Magpies)
? HERBERNER, Nathan (South West Div >> Redcliffe Dolphins)
? HOWARD, Dean (Northern Div >> Easts Tigers)
? WALKER, Luke (Northern Div >> Ipswich Jets)

Previous XXXX Queensland Rangers Results

2005 lost 28-24 v NSW Country Blackwater
won 50-24 v WA Maroochydore
2004 won 50-22 v NSW Country Murwillumbah
2003 won 36-30 v NSW Country Roma
2002 lost 54-20 v NSW Country Narrabri

XXXX QUEENSLAND RANGERS SQUAD FOR QUAD SERIES IN NEW ZEALAND 18 JUNE ? 2 JULY
The 2006 XXXX Queensland Rangers, picked to contest next month's quadrangular series at Rotorua, New Zealand.

1. Jim Baira South East
2. Chris Bond South East
3. Nat Bowman Northern
4. Matthew Briggs Southern
5. Pat Dall South East
6. Aaron Farrar Central
7. Chris Giumelli South East
8. Ashley Humble South East
9. Dylan Nash Southern
10. Matt Riddle Southern
11. Michael Rose Northern
12. Joshua Schwerin South West
13. Eugene Seddon South West
14. Craig Snell Northern
15. Kerrod Toby Northern
16. Jamie Wann South West
17. Phil Wuersching South East
18. Brett Woolley Southern

Coach - Marshall Colwell
Assembly - Sunday 18 June ? Comfort Inn, Robertson Gardens

N.B. A further 2 players are to be added to the Squad when the Outback Carnival in Barcaldine has concluded on 11 June.