Lotewas blown away...

100th Test played between those two countries. Townsville should consider itself lucky that it’s hosting both these games.

“You play that game in South Africa, it’s sold out months ago in massive stadiums, and you play that game in New Zealand and 50,000 seat stadiums are sold out – and probably in Europe as well.”

He’s right – the 100th Test between South Africa and New Zealand is historic. Tuqiri also hinted at how Townsville needed a big crowd to prove to rugby organisers that the region was capable of hosting more.

With the possibility that Australia could host the 2027 World Cup, the city needs to show organisers that it can draw a crowd.

That way, hopefully, we can attract many more big rugby union games for Townsville.