Rugby Australia

Rugby Australia has an opportunity for a Sales Manager to join its Commercial & Marketing team! Please apply via the link below: https://lnkd.in/gYdKRS-J

Rugby Australia and Dove Men+Care has today announced a new partnership, with the company becoming an official partner and supporter of the Wallabies until at least the end of 2027. Dove Men+Care develops and produces personal care and grooming products specifically designed for men. Dove Men+Care works towards an ethos that care makes a man stronger and, in order to best care for those that matter to you most, you need to start with care for yourself. The brand previously supported Australian Rugby from 2014 to 2019, and returns to the Wallabies to challenge the stereotypes men face surrounding self-care. The four year agreement will see Dove Men+Care partner with the Wallabies through a pivotal and exciting time for Australian Rugby, with the nation set to host both a British & Irish Lions Tour in 2025 and a Rugby World Cup in 2027. Head of Personal Care Unilever ANZ, John McKeon said: “We are extremely excited to partner with the Wallabies once again and build on Dove Men+Care's global commitment to rugby. After a great win in Sydney last weekend, the upcoming British & Irish Lions Tour & the home Rugby World Cup in 2027, we cannot think of a better time to partner with the Wallabies and support them through this exciting period.” Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh added: "We are thrilled to welcome back Dove Men+Care as an official partner of the Wallabies. “Dove Men+Care’s philosophy, that you first need to look after yourself in order to contribute best to your family and those around you, is perfectly aligned with the attitude required within an elite team sporting environment, such as the Wallabies – to benefit your team, you need to prepare and be the best version of yourself.” “Dove Men+Care has a strong history with Australian Rugby and the Wallabies. It is an exciting time to come together to maximise the futures opportunities that lay ahead for Rugby in this country.”

In recognition of NAIDOC Week, the Wallabies and Wallaroos will both proudly wear their Indigenous Australian jerseys in this weekend's Test matches against Wales and New Zealand respectively. Proud Kamilaroi man, and Rugby Australia's First Nations Cultural Advisor, Dean Duncan visited both squads this week, and marked the debut of Australia's newest Aboriginal Wallabies representative, Dylan Pietsch, in last Saturday's Test against Wales.

IHG Hotels & Resorts has stepped up its support of Australian Rugby, becoming a Major Partner of both the Wallabies and Wallaroos. A proud supporter of RA for more than two decades, IHG's extended agreement will see increased brand presence in stadiums across Australia and on the shorts of both national teams, as well as activations and added benefits for IHG One Rewards Members. Read more about the partnership here: https://lnkd.in/ggVZkscc.

A memorable night at Allianz Stadium... Thank you to the 35,945 fans that came to see our men and women get up in Sydney last night! Next stop - Wallabies and Wales meet for Round 2 in Melbourne, and the Wallaroos face the Black Ferns in Brisbane. We hope to see you there!

Cadbury renews its sponsorship with the Wallabies until the end of 2029 - following on from the announcement earlier this year of Cadbury stepping up to Principal Partnership with the Wallaroos. Get your tickets to this Saturday's Wallabies v Wales, and Wallaroos v Fiji double-header at Allianz Stadium at https://lnkd.in/gXpE2WpT. Read more about Cadbury's renewal at https://lnkd.in/g6BAMW5u. Mondelēz International

The 24 Rugby Sevens athletes selected for the Australian Olympic Team in Paris have been announced by the Australian Olympic Committee today, boasting four history-making three-time Olympians. Charlotte Caslick, Sharni Smale, Nick Malouf and Henry Hutchison will all become Australia’s first triple Olympians in Rugby, with Caslick and Malouf named to captain their teams. Alongside Rio Olympic champions Caslick and Smale, Dominique du Toit, Tia Hinds, Maddison Levi, Faith Nathan and Sariah Paki all return for their second Olympics, with Bridget Clark, Teagan Levi, Isabella Nasser, Kaitlin Shave and Bienne Terita all named for their Olympic debut. On the men’s side, Tokyo Olympians Nathan Lawson, Maurice Longbottom and Dietrich Roache return for their second Games, while Ben Dowling, Matthew Gonzalez, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Hayden Sargeant, Corey Toole and James Turner will contest their first Olympics. In Paris’ Stade de France the Australian men will face off against Argentina, Samoa and Kenya in their pool matches, while the women will take on Ireland, Great Britain and South Africa. Joshua Turner, Michael Icely, Kahli Henwood and Sidney Taylor have been named as the travelling reserves (known as AP athletes under Games accreditation). The travelling reserves can be selected as a replacement athlete onto the Australian Olympic Team in case of injury or other withdrawal of one of the selected athletes.

Wallaby number 859 and the 82nd Australian captain, Michael Hooper, has announced his retirement from Australian Rugby effective immediately. One of the most decorated players in Australian Rugby history, Hooper has captained the Wallabies more than any other player, leading the men in gold on 69 occasions. Over 10 seasons with the Waratahs, Hooper won a remarkable eight Matthew Burke Cups for the best Waratahs player of the year and still sits 10th on the all-time Super Rugby appearances record with 172 matches to his name. Hooper first captained his country in 2014 as a 22-year-old, establishing himself as the youngest player to captain the side since Wallaby great Ken Catchpole in 1961 and the 82nd Wallabies skipper. Known for his resilience and robustness, Hooper missed just six Tests, two of which he was left as an unused replacement, in his first six seasons of Test Rugby and made his 50th appearance for his country in the 2015 Rugby World Cup Semi Final, becoming the youngest Wallaby and second youngest player ever to reach the milestone at just 23 years and 61 days of age.  In 2020, he became just the twelfth Wallaby to play 100 Tests and notably, had it not been for COVID-19, Hooper - who had been stuck on 99 caps for almost a whole year - would have become both the youngest and quickest Wallaby to become a Test centurion.  A year later he broke George Gregan’s record for the most appearances as Wallabies captain when he led the side out for the 60th time in the 30-18 victory over South Africa in Brisbane. Individually, Hooper became the first player to win four John Eales Medals, a player-voted award for the Wallaby of the year, earning the accolade in 2013, 2016, 2020 and 2021 and sits fourth on the all-time Wallabies appearance list with 125 Tests to his name. Twice nominated for the World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year, Hooper represented the Wallabies at two Rugby World Cups and made the transition to the Australian Sevens at the end of 2023, making his debut in Hong Kong during the 2023-24 World Series. “What a ride! My Olympic journey has come to an end, and with it, my Australian Rugby career. To the Aussie Sevens team, I wish you all the best you've been an awesome, helpful, and talented group of athletes to be part of,” Hooper said via a post on his Instagram account. “As for my time in Australian Rugby, I'm grateful to my family and friends for their unwavering support throughout. We've shared an incredible journey, filled with unforgettable experiences, challenges, and memories. Thank you.” Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh said: “Michael has been an incredible player and ambassador for our sport.”   “He leaves a legacy that will remember him as one of the greatest to wear the Wallaby gold and a favourite among Australian supporters.   “Michael's incredibly well respected here and around the world, and on behalf of Rugby Australia, I want to wish him and his family all the best for the future.”

Rugby Australia has an opportunity for a Commercial Legal Counsel to join its Legal & Integrity team!   Please apply via the link below: https://lnkd.in/gwDsdi6y

Rugby Australia is pleased to announce Gallagher Australia as an official partner of the Wallabies, Wallaroos, Super Rugby W, under 16s and 19s programs, and any future National Club Competition. Gallagher is a global leader in insurance, risk management and consulting services, helping clients face challenges and providing effective solutions. Speaking on the partnership, Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh said: "We are thrilled to welcome Gallagher as Rugby Australia's insurance partner. “Gallagher is a huge supporter of Rugby globally and, with a huge emphasis on Women’s Rugby and sport in general." Read here for more information -> https://lnkd.in/g3FhX_7A