It’s brothers by name and brothers by nature on the field at the Pan Pacific Masters Games (3 – 11 November) rugby league competition this week at Runaway Bay.
Former Gold Coast Titan Preston Campbell and 1987 Manly Warringah grand final champion Paul Shaw play in the Wiradjuri Gaagangs.
The team’s name, which means brothers, originates with the Wiradjuri people in central New South Wales.
Team manager and coach William Shaw said the team have come from different parts of the country to have some fun and catch up on and off the field.
“I just got a few family members and friends together once again and it is a bit of reunion of sorts,” said William.
“We had no difficulty in getting players because as soon as I said I was putting in a team everyone was on board.
“The guys come from Canberra, Sydney, the Central Coast and Dubbo and they all just got on the bus and came together for a run around.
“It’s all about having a dig and having some fun,” he said.
After the first day of competition on Monday the team had won one game and drawn two, but William said it’s not always about winning.
“The boys play how the other team want to play,” said William.
“If the other team are just here for a social and fun game, then we will play that style of rugby league.”
Monday night saw the team go up against the Northern Rivers Rebels who ignited a competitive and fiery clash which ended in a 16-16 draw.
“We weren’t sure how they were going to play, but they came out and scored two tries in the first few minutes so we had to turn it on,” said William.
“It was a really competitive game which included a few cheap shots and a couple of blues, but it was all in good spirits.
“We will take them on tomorrow (Friday) in the gold medal match.”
The team will be boosted with the presence of Campbell and Shaw in the decider and William hopes to see a large crowd at the grounds.
“Having players such as Preston Campbell is great for the team and the Masters competition,” said William.
“It’s all about giving it back to the fans because without people watching rugby league the sport wouldn’t continue.”
The gold medal match kicks off at 7.00pm at the Runaway Bay Junior Rugby League Football Club at Morala Avenue.
The new system was born here and filagra this is not something that we would like to see. Caverta whilst better in some elements but not significant for us.
