The Wallabies' Melbourne contingency are hoping the impending Bledisloe match-up can be used as a vehicle to supercharge support in Melbourne.
There's a considerable Victorian flavour to the Wallabies squad for the Bledisloe Cup series, with five Rebels in the 36-player squad, including local products Rob Leota and Pone Fa'amausili.
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On top of this, the likes of Pete Samu and Rob Valetini were born in the region before making the move to the nation's capital, whilst Marika Koroibete made his name with the Rebels before heading over to Japan.
The two-Test format will see Melbourne become the exclusive host of Bledisloe Tests in Australia for the next two years, heading to the MCG in 2023, last playing the Kiwis in Victoria in 2010.
Coming off the back of the inaugural 'Super Round' at AAMI Park in April, Samu and his fellow 'Burn boys were hoping it can help them grow the sport in the AFL-dominated state.
“It’s pretty exciting. It’s going to be quite special to play back home in front of family and friends,” he told reporters.
“Being an AFL-dominate city, it’s special to take the game down there and grow it.”
“It’d be unreal,” fellow back-rower Rob Leota added.
“I think the last Test I went down there was when the Wallabies played Ireland so I was there watching that. Being actually on the field in the place of your birth in front of friends and family in a city you love would be unreal and something I’d never forget.”
Samu understands the hold Australian Rules football has within the state, having briefly played in the sport growing up.
The Moorabbin product was hopeful the fixture can help inspire the next generation of players as they look to leave a legacy.
“It was always AFL. I went to a public school and played AFL in school and played Rugby at the weekend…(Rugby) wasn’t big at the time (but) it’s definitely growing so having more games down here will definitely grow the sport down in Melbourne,” Samu explained.
“We definitely feel that we can help in growing the game down there. We always have a bit of banter between our clubs from back in Melbourne so that’s been good.
“It’s good to have more games down there, the more games we have down there the bigger the game is going to get.
“We’re hoping there’s a good turnout on Thursday night. There’s been a lot of work promoting the game behind the scenes so I’m sure it’s going to be a good turnout."
The backrower has already received a major boost, welcoming the birth of his second child, London, during the week.
He believes the process of becoming a father has helped his game for the better, looking to cap off an already incredible month with a Bledisloe victory.
“It was just good timing. As soon as I got back after the South Africa Test,” he revealed.
“She was due for this week coming…she was quite big so she came a week early so it was good to be home (for that).
“It’s changed me as a person and footy player. I’ve got a lot more to play for. Obviously, I still want to play for my family but I now have a little (family) of my own that motivates me to do what I do week in, week out,”
