Rugby Australia is pleased to announce that Schoolboy Rugby powerhouses St Joseph’s Nudgee College and Brisbane State High School will square off at Suncorp Stadium in a curtain raiser for the Qantas Wallabies’ clash with Argentina on Saturday July 27.
Fresh from claiming their 42nd Queensland GPS First XV Rugby title in 2018, Nudgee will be aiming to take down fellow heavyweights Brisbane State High School and their proven production line of future Test stars.
The clash will kick off at 5:15pm AEST before the Qantas Wallabies take on Los Pumas in their first home Test of 2019, as they ramp up their preparations for the Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Rugby Australia Chief Executive Raelene Castle said: “We’re incredibly passionate about our school-based Rugby programs all around Australia and this is great opportunity to celebrate it on the big stage at Suncorp Stadium.
“It’s something we want to investigate and trial further in other cities over the coming years and I really want to thank the GPS Association of Queensland, as well as Brisbane State High School and St Joseph’s Nudgee College for their co-operation in making this a reality this year.
“It’s another great chance to see the bright future that’s in store for Australian Rugby and I know both schools are really excited to get behind the occasion,” Castle said.
Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said the curtain raiser was a great opportunity for Brisbane’s young rugby players.
“It’s great to see Rugby Australia embracing the local community and providing this opportunity to aspiring young players to play on at Suncorp Stadium on the same match-day as their heroes,” Ms Jones said.
“This is an important year for the Qantas Wallabies and we’re thrilled to be hosting them in the lead up to the Rugby World Cup.”
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said major events had a significant impact on the local economy and delivered flow-on economic benefits for Brisbane’s tourism, retail and hospitality sectors.
“We love our sport here in Brisbane, and the gameday experience in Brisbane is like no other. Major events like this offer residents more to see and do, and enhance the city’s reputation as a sporting destination,” Cr Schrinner said.
Nudgee’s Brumbies-bound starlet Reesjan Pasitoa will steer Nudgee from flyhalf again this year while several Brisbane State High alumni will be hoping to pull on the Green and Gold later in the evening with Matt To’omua, Samu Kerevi, Jordan Petaia and Chris Feauai-Sautia all vying for a Wallabies berth.
The second round of the 2019 Mitsubishi Estate Rugby Championship will also mark the first time that Australia and Argentina have met since their heart-stopping clash in Salta last year, when the Wallabies earned a record-breaking victory in the largest comeback in Test Rugby history.
Suncorp Stadium has become a fortress for the Wallabies in recent years with Australia having won five straight Test matches in Brisbane, including two memorable clashes with Ireland and South Africa last year.
FOX SPORTS will show every match of the 2019 Mitsubishi Estate Rugby Championship LIVE and all Bledisloe Cup Tests with no ad-breaks during play and in HD.
All Bledisloe Cup and Qantas Wallabies Rugby Championship matches will be screened LIVE and free in HD on TEN and WIN Network and streaming on tenplay.com.au.
Tickets are on sale now via Ticketek for the Test at Suncorp Stadium here, with tickets as cheap as $39 for an adult and $97 for a family
Hospitality packages for the 2019 Mitsubishi Estate Rugby Championship are also now on sale for Suncorp Stadium. Fans can enjoy each Test match from the comfort of a premium match day function, private suite or open-air box to make their experience even more special.
For more information about hospitality packages please call 1800 619 181, email hospitality@rugby.com.au or visit the Rugby AU website here.
