It is the most anticipated rugby league clash north of the Tweed. Two schools, one town and a rivalry that stretches for years. Watch Iggy Park v Kirwan High LIVE on Wednesday.
Two schools steeped in the history of North Queensland rugby league go head-to-head with more than just pride on the line.
The local derby will be exclusively live streamed on KommunityTV on Wednesday, with the action kicked off by the Cowboys Challenge from 3.30pm.
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While the two Townsville schools kicked off their campaigns with mixed fortunes last week, there is no doubt the game will be a close encounter.
It’s the only way it goes when the two arch-rivals go head-to-head.
Kirwan SHS against Ignatius Park College at Jack Manski Oval. Picture: Shae Beplate.
Kirwan coach Nathan Norford said his team would be up for the challenge.
“Every time you play a Kirwan vs Iggy game it’s going to be a close tussle, it’s always physical, we’ve got to maintain our heads and play some good football,” Norford said.
“They’ve got some quality players there in their forward pack so we’re going to have to make sure we’re ready to meet them head on.
“Everyone that’s been a part of schoolboy footy knows about the Kirwan and Iggy rivalry so I’m sure there’ll be a few people down there to watch the two teams go head to head.”
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But it isn’t just bragging rights on the line at Kirwan State High.
The new structure of the Payne Cup means one of the four teams in Pool A – Kirwan, Ignatius Park, St Patrick’s College and Trinity Bay State High – will miss out on semi-finals while the winner of Pool B progresses.
Ignatius Park are at risk of slipping down the ranks after an opening round loss to a red-hot St Patrick’s College.
Kirwan SHS against Ignatius Park College at Jack Manski Oval. Picture: Shae Beplate.
The boys in blue and white held a narrow lead in Mackay last week but an Origin-like two-try outburst from St Patrick’s College in the closing stages proved that their impressive 2022 season was no fluke.
On the other hand the Kirwan Bears kicked off their campaign with a dominant win in Cairns, dismantling the Trinity Bay defence to notch up a 36-6 victory.
Five-eighth Logan Deininger scored a hat-trick but he won’t find it so easy this week against the reigning Aaron Payne Cup champions.