EYES OF THE WORLD WILL BE ON RUGBY IN OUR CITY

The eyes of the rugby world will be fixed on Townsville from this afternoon for what must surely rank as one of the greatest sporting spectacles ever held in our city. For one incredible evening of sport, Townsville will host the world’s top three ranked rugby nations in New Zealand, South Africa and Australia, and the rugged Argentinian Pumas – who have played in two Rugby World Cup semi-finals.

It’s as good as it gets.

Arguably the greatest spectacle in world rugby right now is a Springboks and All Blacks clash, and these won’t be second-string teams playing at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

The likes of Springbok man-mountain Eben Etzbeth, All Blacks dynamo TJ Perenara and returning Wallabies star Quade Cooper will all be taking the park for Townsville’s rugby extravaganza, and the games will go down in the city’s history.

Tickets have been flying out the door and civic leaders expect a sellout come kick-off at 5pm

Everyone involved in bringing the spectacle to Townsville should take a bow.

ARGUABLY THE GREATEST SPECTACLE IN WORLD RUGBY RIGHT NOW IS A SPRINGBOKS AND ALL BLACKS CLASH, AND THESE WON’T BE SECOND-STRING TEAMS PLAYING AT QUEENSLAND COUNTRY BANK STADIUM

The games will bring another much-needed injection for the local economy, estimated to be about $4m, and provide another valuable piece of international exposure to the North Queensland region.

Millions of international rugby fans will have their eyes peeled on the turf at QCBS, from Buenos Aires and Johannesburg, to Wellington and even as far as Europe.

This is another incredible chance for Townsville to shine, and for anyone who attends the game tonight, it might be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Apart from a future Rugby World Cup in Australia, this might be the only time a pair of heavyweights like the All Blacks and Springboks clash on Townsville soil.

Let’s all make sure that we make the most of it.