Sport
31 October, 2025
No holds barred match
IF you thought the 2025 rugby league season was done and dusted locally, then think again, with a special challenge match to be played on 1 November.
Pietro Narducci, who also serves as Vice President and Secretary of FIRLA (Federatione d’Italia Rugby League Australia), has secured approval from the NRL and QRL to extend the local season for an invitational team challenge between rugby league players of Italian heritage and a strong local team running under the banner of The Cardwell Axemen.
The “no holds barred” annual challenge will be played at the regular Southern Suburbs home ground on Saturday 1 November from 7pm, with both teams well and truly up for the challenge.
Cairns-based Queensland Italy coach Jono Zangrande claims the annual match up has become an institution throughout the Far North for the past decade.
“A number of Tableland rugby league players who have direct links via their Italian heritage, will represent Queensland Italy in the game that follows a highly competitive encounter in October last year,” he said.
Zangrande said the goal behind the competition was for the game to be used as an opportunity for players of Italian heritage to “get their foot in the door” for higher levels, including World Cup or international games for Italy.
The game gives competitive players the opportunity for selectors to gauge individual talents for possible further selection and representation.
This year’s game against the Cardwell Axemen, normally played at Tully Showgrounds, looked under threat just a month ago.
However, after a concerted effort for the game to go ahead, organisers made the necessary changes to now stage the match at Alley Park in Gordonvale.