Stephen Moore returns to Rocky for Classic Wallabies Rugby Festival

Mon, Jul 15, 2019, 2:00 AM

The former Wallabies captain is Australia’s most capped test hooker with 129 appearances in gold, and is Australia’s most capped Super Rugby player of all time, with over 150 appearances representing QLD Reds and ACT Brumbies.

The Classic Wallabies are playing their first-ever match in Rockhampton, giving local fans the opportunity to meet their former Wallabies heroes during the day.

The event will celebrate and showcase both mens and womens rugby union in a festival of rugby action, with former Australian womens rugby union representatives the Classic Wallaroos taking on a Central Queensland Womens outfit.

Earlier in the day, local school players get to shine on the same stage as their Wallabies & Wallaroos heroes, with six school girls 7s teams from around Central Queensland in the first ever School Girls Invitational Tournament, before a school boys match where Marist College Emerald takes on a combined schools team featuring students from across the region.

Younger kids will enjoy a free rugby coaching clinic hosted by the Classic Wallabies & Wallaroos players in the morning, while adults can then enjoy a Classic Wallabies Long Lunch at Rocky Sports Club ahead of the main game, with Wallabies on each table to share stories over a premium food & beverage experience. There will be a distinct Rugby World Cup theme to the lunch, with a replica of the 1999 Rugby World Cup trophy, along with a few Wallabies that hoisted it at Twickenham: Matt Cockbain (63 tests), Mark Connors (20 tests) and Daniel Herbert (67 tests).

On the field, the Classic Wallabies lineup features a nearly 500 test caps and 1,500 Super Rugby caps of experience, including Wallabies World Cup representatives from 1999 to 2015.

Stephen Moore – who grew up in Rockhampton – packs down in the front row with Guy Shepherdson (17 tests), Laurie Weeks (2 tests) and the Reds’ most capped player of all time, Sean Hardman (4 tests).

Towering locks Justin Harrison (34 tests), Troy Jacques (2 tests) and Peter Kimlin (2 tests) will join Mark Connors in no doubt a highly rotational use of the reserves bench.

The back row options provide a wealth of experience also, with Matt Cockbain joined by former Wallabies Stephen Hoiles (16 tests), Radike Samo (23 tests), Patrick McCutcheon (Aus 7s & NSW Waratahs) and Nick Gregorski (NSW Waratahs, 3 caps).

Wallabies Sam Cordingley (16 tests) and Sam Payne (7 tests) are joined by Brumbies half Patrick Phibbs (73 caps, 2005-11), all of whom have racked up plenty of Classic Wallabies minutes in recent matches.

In the rest of the backline, Pat Howard (20 tests) and Julian Huxley (9 tests) and will steer things around, Morgan Turinui (20 tests), Lachie Turner (15 tests) and Barry Lea (1993 Wallabies tour) sure to entertain fans out wide. Lea was a fan favourite in his time at the QLD Reds, amassing 11 tries in 17 appearances, so we expect a similar performance from him on July 20.

Whilst he won’t be taking the field, rounding out the squad is James Holbeck (7 tests). “Jimmy” will help prepare the team as he has for every match since June 2018, alongside Daniel Herbert.

Tickets for the match are still available. Fans are encouraged to buy tickets online ahead of the match, to enjoy a $5 discount per ticket and avoid queues at the gate. Kids 13 and under are FREE with a paying adult.

Confirmed squad (in alphabetical order):

Matt Cockbain

Mark Connors

Sam Cordingley

Nick Gregorski

Sean Hardman

Justin Harrison

Stephen Hoiles

Patrick Howard

Julian Huxley

Troy Jaques

Peter Kimlin

Barry Lea

Patrick McCutcheon

Stephen Moore ©

Sam Payne

Patrick Phibbs

Radike Samo

Guy Shepherdson

Morgan Turinui

Lachie Turner

Laurie Weeks

Coaches

Daniel Herbert

James Holbeck

Match details

Classic Wallabies vs Central Queenlsand Barbarians

Saturday July 20, Victoria Park, Wandal, Rockhampton

Kick off: 5:015pm

Key Times:

10:30am Free Kids Rugby Coaching Clinic registration opens

11:00am Gates open

Free Kids Rugby Coaching Clinic starts

11:50am Open School Girls Invitational Tournament Pool Matches. Participating teams: Combined Grammar Schools, Marist College Emerald, The Cathedral College, Biloela State

12:30pm Classic Wallabies Long Lunch.

2:00pm Open School Boys Xvs – Marist College Emerald vs CQ Combined Schools

3:15pm Open School Girls Invitational Tournament Finals

4:25pm Classic Wallaroos vs Central Queensland Barbarians Women

5:10pm Classic Wallabies vs Central Queensland Barbarians

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