'This is mad': Mint launches a new coin on eve of historic series

The Advertiser

16-07-2025

If Tom Wright and Allan Alaalatoa had a dollar for every time someone asked them if they were excited about the series against the British and Irish Lions ... they could probably save Australian rugby's financial woes.
And while this isn't quite putting money in the bank for rugby union, it's a sign the popularity wheel is turning in the right direction.
ACT Brumbies stars Wright and Allan Alaalatoa got a preview of the Royal Australian Mint's four new designs of the $2 dollar coin to recognise the contribution of the Wallabies and Wallaroos in Australia's sporting history. The coins will be available from Thursday morning.
The male and female rugby teams join the ranks of Indigenous Elders, ANZACS, and infant favourite, Bluey, who have also been minted on Australia's gold coins.
Emily Martin, acting CEO of the Royal Australian Mint, said the release coincides with the Wallabies' upcoming tour against the British & Irish Lions, and the Women's Rugby World Cup.
"The Mint's role in telling these stories offers a chance to create something truly meaningful that connects deeply with the sporting passion shared across our nation. Rugby isn't just a game to Australians, it connects generations," Ms Martin said.
Players from both teams were invited to the Mint in May, along with The Canberra Times, for an exclusive preview of the four designs, with Alaalatoa and Wright joined by Adiana Talakai, Eva Karpani, and Georgina Friedrichs before going into Wallabies camp.
Talakai's father had passed away two weeks prior to the visit but said her father would "think it was pretty cool."
"I was just walking around [the Mint] and reflecting on a couple years ago. The Wallaroos weren't really a big thing, and women's rugby wasn't really supported. Now we have the backing of the country," Talakai said.
She echoed her late father once more: "It's pretty cool."
The launch comes as the Wallabies prepare to start their series against the Lions. The once-in-12-years event is the boost Australian rugby has been craving after struggling to grow interest, and fans are flocking back to the code.
Wright and Alaalatoa are set to start in the opening Test in Brisbane on Saturday night.
Wright's instant reaction to the coin reveal was, "this is mad". "I'm just making sure Al doesn't have any extra coins in his pocket when we leave. So just keep an eye on that," Wright joked.
Alaalatoa responded he couldn't hold the coins because of his "sausage fingers". "It's special," Alaalatoa said.
"Firstly to come and be involved in the museum and get a good understanding on how they mint the coins. But to have your own coin for the Wallabies and to have been involved in that era as well, It's special to know that you might get your hands on one."
The two coins with solid colour bands are available for exchange at Rebel Sport when purchases are made with cash. They are referred to as 'circulating coins' and are highly sought after by the coin collecting community.
The other two coins are 'collectable coins' and are available for purchase in sealed packaging. Fifty thousand of these coins are available, while the number of circulating coins will be determined at a later date.
If Tom Wright and Allan Alaalatoa had a dollar for every time someone asked them if they were excited about the series against the British and Irish Lions ... they could probably save Australian rugby's financial woes.
And while this isn't quite putting money in the bank for rugby union, it's a sign the popularity wheel is turning in the right direction.
ACT Brumbies stars Wright and Allan Alaalatoa got a preview of the Royal Australian Mint's four new designs of the $2 dollar coin to recognise the contribution of the Wallabies and Wallaroos in Australia's sporting history. The coins will be available from Thursday morning.
The male and female rugby teams join the ranks of Indigenous Elders, ANZACS, and infant favourite, Bluey, who have also been minted on Australia's gold coins.
Emily Martin, acting CEO of the Royal Australian Mint, said the release coincides with the Wallabies' upcoming tour against the British & Irish Lions, and the Women's Rugby World Cup.
"The Mint's role in telling these stories offers a chance to create something truly meaningful that connects deeply with the sporting passion shared across our nation. Rugby isn't just a game to Australians, it connects generations," Ms Martin said.
Players from both teams were invited to the Mint in May, along with The Canberra Times, for an exclusive preview of the four designs, with Alaalatoa and Wright joined by Adiana Talakai, Eva Karpani, and Georgina Friedrichs before going into Wallabies camp.
Talakai's father had passed away two weeks prior to the visit but said her father would "think it was pretty cool."
"I was just walking around [the Mint] and reflecting on a couple years ago. The Wallaroos weren't really a big thing, and women's rugby wasn't really supported. Now we have the backing of the country," Talakai said.
She echoed her late father once more: "It's pretty cool."
The launch comes as the Wallabies prepare to start their series against the Lions. The once-in-12-years event is the boost Australian rugby has been craving after struggling to grow interest, and fans are flocking back to the code.
Wright and Alaalatoa are set to start in the opening Test in Brisbane on Saturday night.
Wright's instant reaction to the coin reveal was, "this is mad". "I'm just making sure Al doesn't have any extra coins in his pocket when we leave. So just keep an eye on that," Wright joked.
Alaalatoa responded he couldn't hold the coins because of his "sausage fingers". "It's special," Alaalatoa said.
"Firstly to come and be involved in the museum and get a good understanding on how they mint the coins. But to have your own coin for the Wallabies and to have been involved in that era as well, It's special to know that you might get your hands on one."
The two coins with solid colour bands are available for exchange at Rebel Sport when purchases are made with cash. They are referred to as 'circulating coins' and are highly sought after by the coin collecting community.
The other two coins are 'collectable coins' and are available for purchase in sealed packaging. Fifty thousand of these coins are available, while the number of circulating coins will be determined at a later date.
If Tom Wright and Allan Alaalatoa had a dollar for every time someone asked them if they were excited about the series against the British and Irish Lions ... they could probably save Australian rugby's financial woes.
And while this isn't quite putting money in the bank for rugby union, it's a sign the popularity wheel is turning in the right direction.
ACT Brumbies stars Wright and Allan Alaalatoa got a preview of the Royal Australian Mint's four new designs of the $2 dollar coin to recognise the contribution of the Wallabies and Wallaroos in Australia's sporting history. The coins will be available from Thursday morning.
The male and female rugby teams join the ranks of Indigenous Elders, ANZACS, and infant favourite, Bluey, who have also been minted on Australia's gold coins.
Emily Martin, acting CEO of the Royal Australian Mint, said the release coincides with the Wallabies' upcoming tour against the British & Irish Lions, and the Women's Rugby World Cup.
"The Mint's role in telling these stories offers a chance to create something truly meaningful that connects deeply with the sporting passion shared across our nation. Rugby isn't just a game to Australians, it connects generations," Ms Martin said.
Players from both teams were invited to the Mint in May, along with The Canberra Times, for an exclusive preview of the four designs, with Alaalatoa and Wright joined by Adiana Talakai, Eva Karpani, and Georgina Friedrichs before going into Wallabies camp.
Talakai's father had passed away two weeks prior to the visit but said her father would "think it was pretty cool."
"I was just walking around [the Mint] and reflecting on a couple years ago. The Wallaroos weren't really a big thing, and women's rugby wasn't really supported. Now we have the backing of the country," Talakai said.
She echoed her late father once more: "It's pretty cool."
The launch comes as the Wallabies prepare to start their series against the Lions. The once-in-12-years event is the boost Australian rugby has been craving after struggling to grow interest, and fans are flocking back to the code.
Wright and Alaalatoa are set to start in the opening Test in Brisbane on Saturday night.
Wright's instant reaction to the coin reveal was, "this is mad". "I'm just making sure Al doesn't have any extra coins in his pocket when we leave. So just keep an eye on that," Wright joked.
Alaalatoa responded he couldn't hold the coins because of his "sausage fingers". "It's special," Alaalatoa said.
"Firstly to come and be involved in the museum and get a good understanding on how they mint the coins. But to have your own coin for the Wallabies and to have been involved in that era as well, It's special to know that you might get your hands on one."
The two coins with solid colour bands are available for exchange at Rebel Sport when purchases are made with cash. They are referred to as 'circulating coins' and are highly sought after by the coin collecting community.
The other two coins are 'collectable coins' and are available for purchase in sealed packaging. Fifty thousand of these coins are available, while the number of circulating coins will be determined at a later date.