Rugby Australia

Rugby Australia, previously known as the Australian Rugby Union, is the governing body of rugby union in Australia, representing member unions from each state and territory. The game has a long history in the country with reports of games being played as early as 1829.

In addition to overseeing clubs and competitions across the country, Rugby Australia also supports the national women’s team, the Wallaroos, and the national men’s team, the Wallabies.

Rugby Australia actively supports the growth of the game among women, not only as players but as coaches, administrators and match officials. It creates opportunities for First Nations communities to experience the game, and for talented players of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin to join Rugby Australia’s high-performance unit. The organisation also works at a grassroots level to ensure that the game of rugby is a safe and welcoming space for people of diverse abilities, genders and sexualities.

Our partnership with PacificAus Sports

The Pacific has made a unique contribution to the game of rugby. The energy and ingenuity of its players and their Pasifika origin are recognised by the rugby community in Australia, and around the world. 

Through PacificAus Sports, Rugby Australia is focussed on working with Pacific unions to nurture and develop their current and emerging talent. 

In 2019, Samoa’s national team Manu Samoa travelled to Australia to play the Wallabies as part of their preparation for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. This was the first time the two teams had met in more than eight years and created a unique opportunity for Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison, and Samoa’s Prime Minister Tuilaepa Malielegaoi to conduct historic bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the match. With support from PacificAus Sports, several journalists from Samoa also joined the delegation, and Rugby Australia worked closely with the Samoan community in Australia, encouraging their attendance at the match. 

In 2020, with the support of PacificAus Sports, Rugby Australia hosted a series of trial matches between the Fijiana (the Fiji national women’s 7s team), the Super W teams from NSW Waratahs and the Queensland Reds, providing important world-class match preparation for the Fijiana ahead of the 2021 Rugby World Cup. 

Also in 2020, Rugby Australia hosted a match between the Classic Wallabies and the Fiji Legends to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Fiji’s Independence. While unfortunately unable to join in-country festivities due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, Australia’s Foreign Minister, Senator Marise Payne, was able to celebrate the occasion with our Fijian vuvale (family) at the rugby match in Sydney.

“The Rugby family has been fortunate to welcome our Pacific neighbours here for competition, and in turn we have been welcomed in the Pacific, strengthening our relationships and ensuring each other's long-term success."
 

Andy Marinos, CEO
Rugby Australia