2005 Universities World Cup Kicks Off
Tuesday, 28th June 2005
The 2005 World Rugby League Student Cup is about to get underway with teams converging on Griffith University in Brisbane.
Vying for the cup - the first to be held in Queensland - are reigning title holders New Zealand, along with France, Pacific Islands, England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales and Australia.
Players are checking into Griffith's Nathan and Mount Gravatt residential colleges and many are already hard at training in preparation for the showdown which features curtain-raiser games at the Broncos v Cronulla match (student game is England v France) and the July 6 State of Origin (student match is Australia v New Zealand).
World Student Cup ambassador and Australian rugby league legend Mal Meninga will be meeting the national teams on June 30. The cup is supported by the Australian Universities Rugby League (AURL).
AURL chairman Mike Loftus said many of the games, being held from July 2-16, were being held at the university and he encouraged members of the public to come and experience the international series.
"Having the opportunity to see some leading players in an international competition is terrific and families are warmly invited to come along and enjoy some of the on-ground action," Loftus said.
"There are already some hot tips be wagered in the international arena as to who might win the cup this year, with holders New Zealand having held the prize since 1999," he said.
A full rundown of matches is online at
www.griffith.edu.au/er/news/2005_1/rugbyworldcup.html
On the Australian team this year is Griffith business management student Quin Smith who was selected from the Queensland universities team after being voted "man of the match" in the recent game against New South Wales.
He's joined by;
Jordan Atkins (University of Southern Queensland),
Chad Buckby (James Cook University),
Jonathan Crawley (James Cook University),
John Ellis (University of New England),
Chris Fleming (Central Queensland University),
Mitchell Gaal (Charles Sturt University),
George Ghazal (Australian College of Physical Education),
Ben Groves (James Cook University),
Tony Hampson (University of Southern Queensland),
Martin Hatfield (Central Queensland University),
Luke Hilton (Australian College of Physical Education),
Ali Kourouche (University of Western Sydney),
Clint Lovering (Australian College of Physical Education),
Matthew McKinnon (The University of Queensland),
James Rahme (University of Sydney),
Kevin Stephenson (The University of Queensland),
Nathan Tolley (Southern Cross University),
Barrett Wherry (James Cook University),
Sam Williams (Macquarie University),
Shane Wooden (Central Coast Campus).
As well joining the World Cup action, Quin will play at Suncorp Stadium in the Australian versus New Zealand curtain raiser to the upcoming and third State of Origin.
Griffith University games are free and are being played at the Nathan sports field (enter via Kessels Road). All welcome.
http://www.griffith.edu.au/er/news/2005_1/rugbyworldcup.html
Source: ARL
