From the bush to the beach NSW Waratahs announce 2017 pre-season trial matches

Oct 26 • General News, International • 1258 Views • Comments Off on From the bush to the beach NSW Waratahs announce 2017 pre-season trial matches

The NSW Waratahs are pleased to confirm the locations and opponents of their three pre-season trial matches ahead of the 2017 Super Rugby season.

Next season’s trials will see the Waratahs head from the bush to the beach, with two home pre-season matches at Mudgee and Brookvale. This will be the first time the Waratahs have ever played at either venue.

Their first trial will be held at Mudgee’s Glen Willow Regional Sports Stadium in a blockbuster local derby against the Brumbies on Saturday 4^th February.

Their second trial will form part of their campaign at next year’s inaugural Brisbane Global Tens on Saturday 11^th and Sunday 12^th February. The new ten-a-side tournament will see the star players of all ten Australian and New Zealand Super Rugby clubs, plus four elite teams from across the world, compete over the two days.

The Tahs then return home for their third and final trial at Brookvale Oval on Sydney’s northern beaches on Thursday 16^th February against 2016 Super Rugby semi-finalists, the Highlanders before their Super Rugby season officially kicks off on Saturday 25^th February against the Western Force at home at Allianz Stadium.

The NSW Waratahs have partnered with Mid-Western Regional Council for a week-long road trip planned in the country ahead of their first pre-season match. The game will feature a curtain raiser between the NSW Gen Blue Under 20s and the Central West senior representative side, the Blue Bulls.

Mid-Western Regional Council Mayor, Des Kennedy said the announcement that the NSW Waratahs trial match would come to Mudgee was fantastic for the region.

“It’s a great economic boost for Mudgee, every tourism operator and local business will reap the benefits. We’re pretty well located, within an hour and a half of towns like Dubbo, Bathurst and Coonabarabran and surrounding regions, it’s a beautiful part of the world,” Kennedy said.

“We’re all about growing the region and this is another way to do so. We’re really excited and appreciative the Waratahs have chosen us for their trial, it’s a great opportunity to showcase the sport to the bush kids. This will be one of the rare chances for them to see Waratahs and Wallabies players live, which is great given a lot of those players are from these areas too.

“The new facility at Glen Willow is world-class, it’s one of the best grounds in rural NSW. The facilities are fantastic. We can fit 10,000 people in there, which we hope to do. To say we’re excited is an understatement. Let’s hope we get a great rollout and a great day.”

NSW Waratahs Assistant Coach, Chris Malone, said he was looking forward to having the home ground advantage at two out of the three trials in 2017, one in the city and one in the country, showcasing the Waratahs across the state.

“There are plenty of players in the team whose hometowns are in regional NSW so we’re all really proud to be bringing one of our trials to the country,” Malone said.

“The Glen Willow Complex at Mudgee is the best in the state, a top class facility and region to host a top class Super Rugby trial. Hopefully we will see our country supporters come from miles around to enjoy the occasion.

“It will also be really good to host the game against the Highlanders at Brookvale for our fans in Sydney to enjoy the preseason action. This area has a strong rugby following, and many of our members will have easy access to this game. Brookvale is an iconic venue and, on a late summer evening, hopefully we will get great support.

“Taking the game of rugby across the state is vital to our future and, as seen throughout the NRC, showcasing the game at a high level is really exciting for all of our supporters.

“The team will really benefit from playing against two of Super Rugby’s strongest teams, the Highlanders and Brumbies, and, for the first time, a host of different teams in the Brisbane Global Tens, to prepare them for the season ahead.”

In 2017 all NSW Waratahs membership packs include free entry to the two home trial matches in Mudgee and Brookvale. Next season also sees the introduction of four new memberships, a Country Membership, Baby Tah, Lady Waratah and Club Waratah. For more information about the 2017 NSW Waratahs memberships, and to join, visit www.waratahs.com.au/membership.

Tickets to the NSW Waratahs trial in Mudgee will go on sale in November. Tickets to the trial in Brookvale will go on sale in January. Tickets for the Brisbane Global Tens are available now at www.brisbaneglobaltens.com

NSW Waratahs pre-season trial matches
Saturday 4^th February, 2017
NSW Waratahs v Brumbies
Glen Willow Regional Sports Stadium, Mudgee

Saturday 11^th and Sunday 12^th February, 2017
Brisbane Global Tens Tournament
NSW Waratahs v 14 of the world’s best rugby teams
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Thursday 16^th February, 2017
NSW Waratahs v Highlanders
Brookvale Oval, Brookvale