Brumbies take Stormers back to Manuka

NEWS: The Brumbies have decided to take the Stormers back to the past.

They have confirmed that they will face the Stormers at Canberra Oval in Manuka – the first time since 1996 that they play at the cricket ground.

The spiritual home of Rugby in Canberra since the 1920s, the Oval will host the Stormers in the Round 15 clash on Saturday, May 9.

The one and only Super 12 match at the Manuka Oval was played on 29 March 1996 – with Joe Roff scoring four tries, in what would be a 44-31 win for the Brumbies against the Sharks.

Now called the Canberra Oval, it has been a regular host of club rugby deciders in the region and was also the venue when the ACT played the All Blacks way back in 1938 and many other international matches since.

The match will be a celebration of the Brumbies 25th anniversary, with past legends to feature in a curtain-raiser before the game and other events planned throughout the week.

“We couldn’t be happier to be taking a Super Rugby match to Canberra Oval in what is such a significant year for the organisation being our 25th anniversary,” Brumbies CEO Phil Thomson said.

“There is such great history of Rugby at the venue and from speaking to players and supporters, past and present, there is a real excitement for this event.

“We would like to thank the ACT Government for their support in bringing professional Rugby back to this iconic Canberra venue.”

The Brumbies will kick-off their 2020 Super Rugby season against the Reds Bruce Stadium (or Canberra Stadium) on Friday.