Test match dreams
THE historic doubleheader rugby Test matches in Townsville are expected to sell out with a huge response to ticket sales in the first 24 hours.
For regional fans long starved of big game action, it doesn’t get any bigger than the All Blacks and Springboks, meeting for their 100th Test and playing a curtain-raiser to an Australia versus Argentina Test. The Wallabies have never played in Townsville.
Rugby Australia chief executive Andy Marinos said they were “blown away” by the reception in Townsville to the September 25 games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
“We’re well on our way to putting up the sold-out sign, so I encourage anyone from the region to get in quick,” Mr Marinos said.
“It will be a historic occasion on Saturday the 25th of September with the Wallabies to play their first ever Test in Townsville, while the Springboks and All Blacks will square off in the 100th match between the two international rugby juggernauts.”
Mr Marinos said they were busy preparing activities for the week to celebrate the occasion and show the great global game in a once-in-a-lifetime double-header.
Former Wallabies skipper James Horwill has implored as many
Queenslanders as possible to show their support for the green and gold.
“It is very exciting for Queenslanders, the fact you get four of the best teams in the world playing back-to-back,” Horwill said.
“For the Springboks, it is the first time they have played outside South Africa since the 2019 World Cup. Then you have the All Blacks, Argentina and our Wallabies.
“It is a rare occasion to see so many teams in the one spot outside of a World Cup.”
Patron and life member of Townsville & District Rugby Union Colin Harkness said the pandemic had denied Townsville the chance to see the Wallabies and Fiji last year but because of its lower impact on Queensland had delivered something far better.
“Nothing like this will ever happen again. It’s just extraordinary,” Mr Harkness said.
“I venture to say that neither the Blacks or the Boks have ever played a curtain-raiser to anything.
“I also venture to say that never before has there been double-header Tests anywhere, let alone featuring four of the world’s top 10.”
Mr Harkness said with the success of the occasion “Rugby Australia can’t ignore us in the future”.