LATEST NEWSStrong winds and rain lashed Newcastle’s Hunter Stadium throughout the Wallabies v Scotland, rugby test. Braveheart fans weathered the evening to see the Scots take out an extra time 9-6 win.
Tuesday 5 June 2012 Wallaby fever is here for the historic test with Scotland.
And it’s not just the supporters who are cheering, with the match expected to inject around $1-million into the region.
The Wallabies and Scotland have completed their final preparations, for tomorrow’s historic test match in Newcastle, with both teams going through their paces at Hunter Stadium.
David Pocock takes over as captain of a Wallabies side which will feature a host of new faces.
Tomorrow, the fans will get the chance to meet stars such as James O’Connor and former Knight Cooper Vuna prior to kick off.
And if you haven’t purchased tickets yet, it’s not too late, there are still some good seats available.
EXTENDED INTERVIEW WITH WALLABIES CAPTAIN DAVID POCOCK
EXTENDED INTERVIEW WITH SCOTLAND PLAYER GREIG LAIDLAW
Friday 1 June 2012 He retired from test match rugby in February, but former Scottish international Dan Parks admits he’d love to be playing against the Wallabies in Newcastle.
The fly-half has no doubts about who he’ll be supporting at Hunter Stadium, despite being born and raised in Australia.
Thursday 31st May The Wallabies have a five-eighth shortage, with superstar Quade Cooper still in the early stages of his return, and Kurtley Beale and James O’Connor both injured.
But that doesn’t worry fellow playmaker Will Genia – who arrived in Newcastle ahead of Tuesday’s test against Scotland.
NBN’S KEVIN METTAM WAS THERE, YOU CAN SEE THE FULL STORY HERE
Check out the extended interviews with Wallabies Digby Ioane, Will Genia and Dom Shipperley here;
Robbie Deans has named 39 players in the Wallabies train on squad ahead of next week’s international test against Scotland at Hunter Stadium.
FOR FULL TRAIN ON TEAM LIST, CLICK HERE
O’NEILL DEFENDS WALLABIES SEASON SCHEDULE
Australian Rugby boss John O’Neill has defended the Wallabies’ tough early season schedule, which will include a test against Scotland in Newcastle on Tuesday the 5th of June, then a match against Wales in Brisbane on the Saturday.
O’Neill revealed the midweek game was a favour to the Scots, who were keen to play Australia before taking on Fiji and Samoa.
“It’s not ideal, but Robbie Deans and the coaching staff are confident they can put a good team on the field.”
Tickets are now selling fast for the clash in Newcastle.
TICKET LAUNCH
Tickets went on sale this week for the Wallabies versus Scotland clash and they are expected to sell out fast.
The Minister for Hunter Michael Gallacher, Member for Newcastle Tim Owen and Lord Mayor John Tate were on hand for the ticket launch, alongside two former Wallabies, who were born and bred in the Hunter.
Terry Curley and Steve Merrick both began their union careers in the region, and are expecting a big turn out at the Wallabies first game in Newcastle.
Merrick turned his back on the big league early in his representative career, to focus on developing union in Singelton.
“Once you get involved in rugby it gets in your blood and you’re always involved so to see a game like this in the valley, it’s going to be tremendous.”
The State Government is also excited to bring the Wallabies to Hunter Stadium for the first time in history, especially after the disappointment of not hosting a game during the World Cup in Sydney in 2011.
WALLABIES PLAYERS IN THE HUNTER
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Current Wallaby players Pat McCabe and Ben Alexander visited the Hunter to promote the game ahead of next month’s test.
Brumbies forward Ben Alexander is desperate for a shot at revenge, when the Wallabies clash with Scotland in Newcastle next month.
“You only get to play these teams once every few years and I’ve only got to play Scotland once and I lost and I haven’t had a chance to rectify that.”
Pat McCabe believes Australia has learnt from last year’s World Cup, and the game in Newcastle will be a good gauge of the side’s prospects in 2012.
“You can’t play against a proud nation like Scotland and take it lightly so I’d say it’ll be a strong team picked and we’ll have to be at our best to win.”
ROBBIE DEANS VISITS NEWCASTLE AHEAD OF SCOTLAND TEST
It is the match bringing international rugby union to rugby league heartland.
Next month the Wallabies will face Scotland at Hunter Stadium in a Test season opener.
Today Wallabies coach Robbie Deans visited Newcastle to share his knowledge with local union coaches and promote the upcoming clash and says there is a lot of passion for union in the region.
“While the local rugby population is a bit starved of international rugby their passion for the game in unequal so it is going to be great and we hope they bring that passion to the ground.”
Scotland today announced their squad for the match, but Deans will announce his a day out from the match.
With Super Rugby games on the weekend before the Tuesday night game, he will have to settle his squad on the Sunday.
“It’s going to be a good test match the Scots are pretty excited about the opportunity they have got. They’ve got a months prep and we have got a day I think.”
The teams haven’t met since Australia’s shock loss in 2009, when the Scots broke a 27-year losing streak against the Wallabies.
” We’ll be preparing and coming here to win and hopefully put on a really good display of rugby and inspire the next generation.”
