Australian Rugby Union - Media Update

AUSTRALIAN RUGBY UNION - MEDIA UPDATE

AUSTRALIAN RUGBY - HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK AHEAD

QANTAS WALLABIES

The Qantas Wallabies will take on the Barbarians at Twickenham in the opening match of their 2014 Spring Tour, which also includes Tests against Wales, France, Ireland and England.

Playmakers Quade Cooper and Will Genia will make their long-awaited return to the gold jersey.

Veteran flanker Matt Hodgson will captain the side for the first time in his career, as he continues his remarkable return to the international scene in 2014, after a stellar season with the Western Force.

The Qantas Wallabies, under the guidance of new Head Coach Michael Cheika, will play an experienced Barbarians side, which includes former Australian representative Nick “Honey Badger” Cummins.

Visit www.rugby.com.au to view the full team and broadcast details of all Spring Tour matches.

Sunday 2 November Qantas Wallabies v Barbarians Where: Twickenham Stadium, England Kick off time: 1:30am (AEDT) Coverage: FOXSPORTS 2 & 2HD Did you know:

The “Honey Badger” Nick Cummins will play against his home nation when he runs out for the Barbarians at Twickenham. Hodgson returns to the number seven jersey for the first time since 2011 when he was part of the Wallabies team that beat the Barbarians 60-11 at Twickenham (the last time the sides played). The Qantas Wallabies first played the Barbarians in 1948 and have won nine of their thirteen matches against the invitational side, including their last eight.

Buildcorp National Rugby Championship

The Buildcorp National Rugby Championship Final is here, with McInnes Wilson Brisbane City hosting Property Club Perth Spirit at Ballymore Stadium this Saturday. Kick-off is at 6:30pm (AEST), 7:30pm (AEDT), 4:30pm (AWST) on Saturday, November 1, with tickets available via Eventopia.

You can catch all the action live on FOXSPORTS 3 and FOXSPORTS 3HD. For more information head to http://www.rugby.com.au/nrc/Home.aspx

Saturday 1 November Brisbane City v Perth Spirit Where: Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane Kick off time: 6:30pm (AEST), 7:30pm (AEDT), 4:30pm (AWST) Coverage: FOXSPORTS 3 & 3HD Did you know:

Brisbane City’s line-up includes seven players with Super Rugby experience but will be without star centre Samu Kerevi who suffered a quad injury last week. The Perth Spirit have named an unchanged 23-man squad for this Saturday’sFinal, which includes Wallabies prop Pek Cowan. The Buildcorp NRC bolters find themselves in the Grand Final, following wins over the first and second placed teams, Melbourne Rising and CSU NSW Country Eagles.