Rabbitohs Queensland-affiliate club, the Townsville Blackhawks, will open their 2024 Hostplus Cup season against the Ipswich Jets, with the Queensland Rugby League unveiling the 2024 Hostplus Cup Draw today for all 15 clubs.
The Blackhawks, much like the Rabbitohs NRL team, won’t play their first home game until round three when they host the Northern Pride at Jack Manski Oval in Townsville in the Hostplus Cup’s Rivalry Round.
The Blackhawks will tackle the reigning premiers, the Brisbane Tigers, in rounds 12 and 19, the same Tigers outfit that was defeated by the Premiership-winning South Sydney Rabbitohs NSW Cup team in the NRL State Championship match on NRL Grand Final day in October this year.
Round 19 is the competition’s Country Week with all matches to be played in remote and regional Queensland as part of an ongoing QRL initiative that generates goodwill and significant funds for community clubs and leagues.
The Rabbitohs currently have four Blackhawks players involved in pre-season training, with Nicholas Halalilo, Richard Holani, Cade Maloney and Harry Quinlan all plying their trade at Redfern Oval and the USANA Rabbitohs Centre over the summer in preparation for the Hostplus Cup season and to further their development as Rugby League players.
Rabbitohs Members and supporters can catch every game of the 2024 Hostplus Cup live and on-demand on QPlus.tv, the streaming home of Queensland Rugby League.
The Townsville Blackhawks 2024 Hostplus Cup draw is:
| Round | Venue | Date | Time | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Ipswich Reserve, Ipswich | Saturday 9 March | 6pm | Ipswich Jets |
| 2 | UAA Park, Gold Coast | Saturday 16 March | 5pm | Burleigh Bears |
| 3 | Jack Manski Oval, Townsville | Saturday 23 March | 6pm | Northern Pride |
| 4 | Jack Manski Oval, Townsville | Saturday 6 April | 6pm | Mackay Cutters |
| 5 | Jack Manski Oval, Townsville | Saturday 13 April | 5pm | Wynnum Manly Seagulls |
| 6 | Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast | Saturday 20 April | 6pm | Sunshine Coast Falcons |
| 7 | Jack Manski Oval, Townsville | Sunday 28 April | 3pm | Redcliffe Dolphins |
| 8 | Jack Manski Oval, Townsville | Friday 3 May | 7pm | PNG Hunters |
| 9 | Piggabeen Sports Complex, Tweed Heads | Saturday 11 May | 3pm | Tweed Seagulls |
| 10 | Bishop Park, Brisbane | Saturday 18 May | 5pm | Norths Devils |
| 11 | Jack Manski Oval, Townsville | Saturday 25 May | 5pm | Central Queensland Capras |
| 12 | Jack Manski Oval, Townsville | Saturday 1 June | 5pm | Brisbane Tigers |
| 13 | Bye | - | - | - |
| 14 | Davies Park, Brisbane | Sunday 16 June | 2pm | Souths Logan Magpies |
| 15 | Barlow Park, Cairns | Saturday 22 June | 3pm | Northern Pride |
| 16 | Jack Manski Oval, Townsville | Saturday 29 June | 5pm | Norths Devils |
| 17 | Venue TBA | Sunday 7 July | TBA | Western Clydesdales |
| 18 | Jack Manski Oval, Townsville | Saturday 13 July | 5pm | Burleigh Bears |
| 19 | Venue TBA | Saturday 27 July | TBA | Brisbane Tigers |
| 20 | Jack Manski Oval, Townsville | Saturday 3 August | 5pm | Souths Logan Magpies |
| 21 | Bye | - | - | - |
| 22 | BMD Kougari Oval, Brisbane | Saturday 17 August | 3pm | Wynnum Manly Seagulls |
| 23 | Bye | - | - | - |
