USQ Saints honoured to play in match

In a first for the region USQ Saints will play the Royal Australian Corp of Signals Rugby Football Club in a Remembrance Day charity match.

USQ coach Gary Briscoe said the team was extremely honoured to be asked to play.

After putting the call out to see who was interested in he said about three quarters of the club put their hands up.

“The game only came up about three weeks ago,” Briscoe said.

“The guys are thrilled to be a part of the experience.”

USQ will field a combined team of about three grades against a fit army team which is made up of teams that have been playing seven and 10-a side.

“They are going to be a lot fitter than us, we haven’t played in about three months, it’s going to be interesting,” Briscoe said.

However the result of the game won’t be the focus of the day.

“It’s a matter of the guys going out and enjoying themselves and making the most of the day,” Briscoe said.

“There is also a few players leaving us so it will be a bit of a farewell match for them.”

For players like Tim Erbs it’s also a good chance to get back out on the field having injured his knee at the start of the season.

“It’s obviously a pretty big occasion not only for the club being invited to play but in regards to paying our respects to everyone who has served and is still serving,” he said.

“A couple of the older players like Marty (van Standen) are getting to the end of the playing careers.

The rugby match will follow a pitch-side Remembrance Day service which begins at 10.45am.

Following the services the Corps Women’s team will play the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services in a Rugby 7s match before the men’s game at 11.25am.

All games will be played at Borneo Barracks, Cabarlah.

All are welcome to attend.