On Wednesday 16th October, Blackheath Rugby will be welcoming Australian Stockman Rugby to The Utilita. The Club XV will take on this touring side in what promises to be an exciting and competitive game. Kick off under floodlights will be at 8pm and admission is free. The upstairs bar will be open from 5pm so come along and enjoy the evening.
Australian Stockman draws players with regional and rural backgrounds from across Queensland and New South Wales, the squad will also be bolstered by experienced recruits in dual Olympian Lewis Holland, former Australian Sevens and Queensland Reds flyer Alex Gibbon and former Melbourne Rebels hooker Steve Fualau.
Their tour started on 4 October, with a warm-up match and launch function in Sydney, and runs until 25 October with further fixtures against Oxford University, Cambridge University and Exeter Chiefs.
The squad will be led by former Wallabies and Super Rugby coach Jim McKay, who will be joined in the coaching ranks by former Wallabies and Super Rugby prop Guy Shepherdson and assistant coach Mark Cassidy.
Australian Stockman Head Coach Jim McKay said: “From a significant pool of talented players from across regional Australia, I believe we’ve picked a competitive and well-balanced group to represent Australian Stockman.
“There is a great mix of players from a range of backgrounds, different stories and rugby journeys. When the players and staff don the Australian Stockman logo, we’re representing something bigger than ourselves – not only the values and traditions of this proud team, but also our communities from across rural, regional and remote Australia. This is an opportunity for players to step up and showcase their talents and represent their roots.
“We will be playing a positive, abrasive and enjoyable style of rugby, whilst embracing the traditional values of team sport, namely connecting and bringing people together.”
Craig Molloy, Blackheath Club XV team manager, said “Everyone at Blackheath Rugby, especially our players, is really looking forward to the challenge ahead, in what will be a tough contest. As a club we are delighted to welcome the players, coaches and support staff of Stockman Rugby to the UK, and to The Utilita for this, the first fixture in their King & Country Tour.”
For more information on our Australian visitors, Stockman Rugby, go to their website or visit their Facebook page.
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