Rivalries
Queenslands most popular rivalries are obviously the other Australian teams in Super Rugby (Brumbies, Western Force, Waratahs and, from 2011, the Melbourne Rebels). However, the most famous of these is the interstate clash between the Queensland Reds and the New South Wales Waratahs. The match between these two sides usually draws the largest crowd for the Reds when they are hosting the match, which is sometimes (such as 2006), used as the first game of the season. The matches contested during the season are also for the Bob Templeton Cup, which is a trophy awarded to the winner of the Queensland/New South Wales match.
Former Queensland captain John Eales, prior to the Queensland and New South Wales clash in 2001 quoted former Wallaby Mark Loane to sum up matches against New South Wales, "the most hard fought fights are fighting with your brother in the backyard." There have been over 270 matches between the two teams, with New South Wales well in the lead with over 170 wins, and Queensland over 80, with 12 drawn. Since the start of professional Super rugby in 1996, 17 matches have been played, Queensland winning 9, New South Wales 7 and one being drawn.
Read more about this topic: Queensland Reds