Club rugby will take centre stage when the Waratahs host the Hurricanes at Allianz Stadium next Friday night (7.35pm kick-off) during Club Rugby Round.
Club Rugby Round is a new, themed round initiative from Super Rugby Pacific, designed to bring the professional and club rugby communities together to celebrate and support the grassroots game.
As part of this, the Waratahs are encouraging all club rugby players to wear their club jerseys to next Friday night’s game. The club that has the highest number of attendees will win a free coaching session with Waratahs head coach Dan McKellar and captain Matt Philip.
Waratahs General Manager, Adam Fulepp, who was previously GM at Northern Suburbs Rugby Football Club when they last won the Shute Shield in 2016, is looking forward to shining a light on the grassroots game during Club Rugby Round.
“The Waratahs are extremely supportive of the Club Rugby Round initiative and we are looking forward to hosting the Hurricanes at Allianz Stadium next Friday night,” Fulepp said.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for us to drive awareness for the grassroots game and celebrate club rugby at one of our Super Rugby Pacific matches. Club rugby is the foundation of our sport and is critical to the growth of our players, coaches and referees to professional level.
“We are urging fans to wear their club jerseys at the game, with an excellent prize of a coaching session with our head coach and captain for the highest attending club. While there will be plenty of activity in the lead up to and during the game, to celebrate all levels of rugby.”
Aside from fans wearing club jerseys next Friday, other activity taking place in the lead up to and on match day includes:
- Content and media activity highlighting stories of Waratahs players that owe their professional careers to club rugby
- Community engagements at local rugby clubs with players next week
- Under-18s come free to the game for registered players and clubs. There is also free transport available with your ticket and bus parking on Driver Ave.
- Shute Shield Budgy Smuggler race at half-time, with the winner claiming a $200 voucher and the ultimate bragging rights!
- Other on the day activity includes a club guard of honour and club cam on the big screen
Current Waratahs flanker Charlie Gamble has intriguing ties to club rugby. Having first moved over to Sydney from New Zealand in 2018, he played for NSW Suburban Rugby side Petersham, a tier below Shute Shield and Sydney grade rugby.
After excelling for Petersham and guiding them to a Premiership that season, he was then picked up by Shute Shield side Easts, before making the step up to the Waratahs the following season. Gamble is now a key player for the Waratahs and sits in the top five of the Super Rugby Pacific Player of the Year Award voting after two rounds.
On the field, it will be a fascinating encounter against the Hurricanes next weekend, with the Waratahs having not beaten their opposition since 2015. The last win at Allianz Stadium against the Hurricanes was a 39-30 in 2014, where the Waratahs went on to win the Super Rugby title.
Head to waratahs.rugby/tickets for tickets to the Waratahs Club Rugby Round fixture against the Hurricanes at Allianz Stadium next Friday 6 March (7.35pm kick-off).
