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By Laine Clark, AAP January 26, 2010, 1:19 pm
Queensland rugby captain James Horwill believes their upcoming matches at Ballymore may be a test case for not only the Reds but also A-League outfit the Brisbane Roar.
Horwill can not hide his excitement over the Reds returning to their spiritual home for two matches - Friday's trial against the Crusaders ahead of a Super 14 clash with the Blues on February 27.
And he believed more Reds games should be held at Ballymore rather than their regular homeground Suncorp Stadium - if the two matches proved a hit.
"It's a very special place for Queensland rugby, and I think it would be good if we got a number of games back here," he said.
"You remember growing up and coming to Ballymore.
"I think it is something the crowds will look forward to, and I hope they get a taste for it."
A-League club the Roar also uses the 52,000-capacity Suncorp Stadium as their homeground, but have attracted less than 6,000 fans to some games.
It is believed Football Federation Australia have taken over negotiations in a bid to secure the Roar a better tenancy deal with Suncorp Stadium.
But Horwill believed the Roar may also sit up and take notice if the Reds games at the 24,000-seat venue are successful.
"Definitely. It (more Ballymore games) is something we will have to look at (if it is successful)," he said.
"We will see if we make a profit from it, if the fans come out, and how logistically it works with the traffic - I know that could have been a problem previously.
"So that's some things we have to work out."
Horwill said of their current Suncorp Stadium homeground: "We don't dislike it - it's one of the best rugby grounds in the world.
"But it's a 50,000-seat stadium, and if you have only got 20,000 in there it does look a bit empty.
"But if we had 20,000 here (Ballymore) they would be hanging from the rafters."
However, a more permanent move to Ballymore by either the Reds or the Roar appears a long way off with the venue's facilities needing a major overhaul.
The QRU have development applications before the Brisbane City Council regarding a $100 million upgrade.
But it obviously has a special place in the heart of rugby fans - even former NSW Waratahs prop Ewen McKenzie, who is now the Reds coach.
"Ballymore is one of my happiest hunting grounds - as a Wallaby I never lost a Test here," he said.
"And no doubt, it's very near and dear to a lot of Queensland supporters.
"The inter-state rivalry we slugged it out here - literally - on many occasions.
"They were great encounters and any opportunity to revisit those traditional derby matches is a great occasion - I am looking forward to it."
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Originally Posted by blueandblack
) at how keen the guys were to play at MES this season. Chatting to a number of the new faces who have come from over east plus the Wallabies in the team, there was a consistent theme from all on their preferred playing stadia. The reason given was also consistent "you can feel and hear the crowd". Which is consistent with the reason Horwill says Suncorp is ok but a bit big for S14 (52,000 capacity). Similarily Homebush got a big thumbs down (including for Wallabies matches). SFS a big thumbs up for both S14 and Wallabies tests.
