Rugby fans from all nations gear up for Coast’s Championship event
LIFELONG rugby fan Phil Verheijen never thought he’d see his beloved Wallabies and three of the giant nations of rugby union on the Gold Coast all in one day.
The 42-year-old will be at Cbus Super Stadium on Sunday to see the back-to-back Test matches for The Rugby Championship.
The Gold Coaster said he was looking forward to watching New Zealand take on Argentina from 5pm before cheering on Australia against South Africa from 8pm.
“I’m pumped to watch both games. It’s the best four countries in the southern hemisphere,” he said.
“We’ve got a growing community of kids playing the game on the Coast, so it’s a great opportunity for them to see the elite level.”
Kiwi Sophie Stacey, 28, moved to Australia nine years ago and will be doing the ticketing at Cbus while her beloved All Blacks play from 5pm.
“I’m very lucky. I’ll be watching pretty intensely and getting paid to do it,” Ms Stacey said.
Her partner Joseph Hughes, 36, will be watching from inside the stadium and said he could not wait to see the World Cup-winning Springboks.
“I’ve become an avid supporter of the Springboks after seeing the way they’ve played the last few years,” he said
Solange Linsalata has never seen a rugby game live and the Argentinian says if she can get work off she will be lining up for tickets.
“I’ll have no issue finding fellow fans. Argentinian people love to watch our team play any sport,” she said.
Meanwhile, recalled Wallaby flyhalf Quade Cooper says becoming a better person has helped him become a player better prepared for another shot at international rugby.
The former Queensland Reds star’s return to the Wallabies team was confirned on Friday by impressed coach Dave Rennie, who handed Cooper the No.10 jersey for Australia’s Rugby Championship clash with South Africa on the Gold Coast on Sunday night.
“We’re thrilled for Quade that he’s earned another opportunity to pull on the gold jersey for his country,” Rennie said.