Minister for National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing
The Honourable Steven Dickson
Wallabies clash with Wales at Suncorp Stadium
Minister for Sport and Recreation Steve Dickson has welcomed the announcement that tickets will go on sale today for the opening Test of the June rugby series at Suncorp Stadium.
The Minister joined Wallabies captain James Horwill at Suncorp Stadium for the announcement, and encouraged fans to secure their tickets early for what is certain to be a sell-out match.
“This Test will inject millions of dollars in benefits to the Queensland economy, and is only the beginning of our 10-year agreement with the Australian Rugby Union to bring more international Rugby matches to Queensland,” he said.
“Major sporting events like this have a vital role in contributing to the Newman Government’s target of a $30 billion visitor economy in Queensland by 2020.
Wales will head to Australia with an unbeaten record through the Six Nations Championship and Minister Dickson enc ouraged fans to show their support for the Wallabies by filling Suncorp Stadium on the night of the Test.
“Suncorp Stadium’s reputation for staging world-class sporting events is well documented; you only have to look back to last August when the stadium was awash with gold as the Wallabies won the Tri-Nations,” he said.
“On Saturday June 9, I encourage Queenslanders to once again pack this great stadium and dress in gold to support the Wallabies as they take on Wales.
Minister Dickson said the Wales Test was the first in a major 10-year agreement between the Queensland Government and Australian Rugby Union, which had secured a number of major international test matches for Queensland over the next decade.
As a part of this agreement, Queensland will host the third and potentially deciding Bledisloe Cup Test every second year for the next 10 years.
The Minister urged Wallabies supporters to travel to the game via the public transport n etwork.
“The June 9 Test Match is part of a blockbuster few days of sporting events in Brisbane, starting with the AAMI Stradbroke Day at Eagle Farm on Saturday, the Test Match on Saturday night and the Football World Cup qualifier – Australia v Japan – also at Suncorp on the following Tuesday night.”
“I’d encourage everyone who is attending the Test Match to take advantage of free public transport on the night, keeping local roads clear as much as possible.”
