Wallaby stars launch the 2005 Tooheys New Super 12

A host of Wallabies assembled for the launch of the 2005 Tooheys New Super 12 season

With the 10^th season of Tooheys New Super 12 kicking off in just 16 days, a heavyweight lineup of current and former Australian Rugby stars officially launched the 2005 season in Sydney today.

Twelve current Wallabies were on hand to meet the fans in a packed Martin Place - Lote Tuqiri, Chris Whitaker, Nathan Grey, Phil Waugh and Al Baxter from the NSW Waratahs, Elton Flatley, Wendell Sailor, Chris Latham and Nathan Sharpe from the QLD Reds and Bill Young, Stirling Mortlock and Stephen Larkham from the Brumbies.

In a fitting tribute to the ten-year history of the competition, the captains of the three Australian teams from the inaugural 1996 Super 12 season - Tim Gavin (NSW), Tim Horan (QLD) and Brett Robinson (ACT) - were also on hand for the launch.

It will be an historic season of Tooheys New Super 12 Rugby, being the last before the competition expands to 14 teams in 2006.

The captains of the NSW Waratahs, the QLD Reds and the Brumbies - Chris Whitaker, Elton Flatley and Stirling Mortlock - were all on hand today to give their views on the season ahead.

QLD captain Elton Flatley said:

"There is hardly a need for any extra motivation to win the Tooheys New Super 12, but the fact that it is the tenth and final year certainly gives it special meaning. We are totally focused on getting Queensland engraved on that trophy before the competition expands to Super 14.

NSW captain Chris Whitaker:

"It is hard to believe that we are in the tenth year of Tooheys New Super 12. It is a great competition that has gone from strength to strength since 1996. You only have to look at the team lineups to know that the 2005 season will be another tough tournament.

ACT Brumbies captain Stirling Mortlock said:

"There aren't many tougher tasks in the world of Rugby than to win the Tooheys New Super 12. It is a big mountain to climb, and all 12 teams will do whatever it takes to reach the summit. It is a fantastic competition, not only for Rugby and sports fans, but also for the players themselves."

The action kicks off in just over two weeks, with the three Australian teams all enjoying a home match in Round 1.

TOOHEYS NEW SUPER 12......THEN AND NOW

AVERAGE SUPER 12 HOME CROWDS

PLAYERS FROM 1996 WHO ARE STILL PLAYING IN 2005

Brendan Cannon      NSW (but playing for QLD in 1996)

Nathan Grey             NSW (but playing for QLD in 1996)

Nick Stiles                QLD

Ben Tune                 QLD

George Gregan        ACT
Stephen Larkham    ACT

Owen Finegan         ACT

Justin Harrison         ACT

NSW WARATAHS

1^st Round of 1996 Super 12 v Transvaal

1 March 1996

1.        Mark Hartill

2.        Mark Bell

3.        Andrew Blades

4.        Warwick Waugh

5.        John Welborn

6.        Steve Talbot

7.        Daniel Manu

8.        Tim Gavin (c)

9.        Anthony Ekert

10.    Scott Bowen

11.    David Campese

12.    Richard Tombs

13.    Jason Madz

14.    Alistair Murdoch

15.    Matthew Burke

Coach: Chris Hawkins

QLD REDS

1^st Round of 1996 Super 12 v Otago Highlanders

3 March, 1996

1.        Tony Daly

2.        Michael Foley

3.        Dan Crowley

4.        Rod McCall

5.        Garrick Morgan

6.        Mark Connors

7.        David Wilson

8.        John Eales

9.        Jason Rauluni

10.    Elton Flatley

11.    Ben Tune

12.    Jason Little

13.    Daniel Herbert

14.    Damien Smith

15.    Tim Horan (c)

Coach: John Connolly

ACT BRUMBIES

1^st Round of 1996 Super 12 v Transvaal

5 March 1996

1.        Pato Noriega

2.        Marco Caputo

3.        Ewen McKenzie (c)

4.        David Giffin

5.        Craig Sweeney

6.        John Langford

7.        Ipolito Fenukitau

8.        Owen Finegan

9.        Gregan Gregan

10.    David Knox

11.    Joe Roff

12.    Elisi Vunipola

13.    Stephen Larkham

14.    Mitch Hardy

15.    Rod Kafer

Coach: Rod Macqueen