A huge day of activities has been planned for Saturday’s Queensland derby clash between the Titans and Broncos, with fans getting into the action well before the NRL teams take the field at 5:30pm.
Dreamworld’s tiger cubs will be the special guests of the Gold Cost Titans at Cbus Super Stadium, but the theme park’s cutest ambassadors are there to spread an important message according to Dreamworld’s Life Sciences General Manager Al Mucci.
“On Monday the 29th of this month, it’s Global Tiger Day, and that’s where the world celebrates these majestic animals,” he said. “Our gift to the Gold Coast is bringing them to the game to share the message about tiger conservation – 100 years ago, 100,000 tigers. Today, less than 4000 live in the wild.”
Three cubs will make their way to Cbus Super Stadium on game day, and Al said their handlers are in for a busy afternoon with the mischievous cubs growing quickly and constantly getting into trouble.
Al said the stadium experience and crowd interaction with Titans fans is an important part of the cubs’ development.
“When they are this young, just like your children, they are out investigating and the more we can provide for them at such a young age, the better they are and the better they will be as adults,” he said. “So the more they can come out and do things like coming to this game, the better they will be as adults – nothing will spook them.”
While the tiger cubs earn their stripes at Cbus Super Stadium, there will also be plenty of rugby league action inside the ground, with two cracking curtain-raisers to whet the appetite for a Saturday afternoon footy feast.
The inspirational Gold Coast Titans Physical Disabilities Rugby League team plays its first ever international match when they take on the visiting Wakefield Trinity PDRL team at 3pm, before the Titans Legends take on the Broncos Greats in the Deadly Choices Invitational Match at 3.30pm.
Broncos great Steve Renouf is taking the reigns as coach of the Brisbane team – his decision based on the level of soreness he experienced after last year’s match.
“I’m 49 now, I think I need to hang up the boots,” the man known as ‘The Pearl’ said.
“It’s really good and heaps of fun, and we really appreciate our partnership with the Titans and that we get the opportunity to play this game.”
Unlike his former Brisbane, Queensland and Australian teammate, the ageless Petero Civoniceva can’t wait to pull on the boots again.
“It’s a great opportunity for us, obviously to represent Deadly Choices, but also to represent our clubs – our former clubs – proudly,” Petero said. “I think the realisation hits in the first 10 minutes that you are not 21-years old anymore and the pain starts to kick in. But it’s a lot of fun.”
Former Titan Brenton Bowen was the first player to confirm his availability for the Deadly Choices Invitational, and says he is rapt to be back lacing-up the boots with a host of former teammates and some of his childhood idols.
“When I first came onboard as a Deadly Choices ambassador, they asked who my role models were growing up and Steve Renouf was one of them, along with Darren Lockyer, because I was a Broncos fan growing up,” Brenton said. ”As soon as the Cowboys came in, I was a big Scotty Prince fan as well, so it was good to actually play alongside Scotty at the Titans.”
The two teams of league legends won’t be the only ones showing off their fancy footwork on Saturday, with the first semi-final of the Titans Dance-Off to be held on centre field pre-game, before the Australian Ductworks Services Sirens perform a special halftime routine, which will include an in-stadium fireworks spectacular.
The NEDS Bolt for Bucks and the Dynasty Sport High-ball Challenge will be on again, with two contestants from the crowd also battling for a potential $50,000 pay day in the Titans Pass the Ball Challenge.
Game Day Information:
- Venue: Cbus Super Stadium
- 2:50pm Gates Open
- 3:00pm Titans v Wakefield Trinity PDRL exhibition
- 3:30pm Deadly Choices Invitational – Titans Legends vs Broncos Greats
- 5:30pm NRL Kick-Off – Titans vs Broncos
