06-07-2025
Wallabies fever grips Newcastle as fans flock to stadium for Fiji clash
FIJI fans gave the sea of green and gold a run for their money as thousands of spectators swarmed McDonald Jones Stadium for the Wallabies Test showdown against Fiji on Sunday afternoon.
In the dying seconds of the game, Wallabies captain Harry Wilson scored, resulting in a 21-18 win against Fiji.
Wearing jerseys, waving flags and belting chants, the 28,132-strong crowd brought a roaring atmosphere to the stadium, with supporters from across the region streaming in, as well as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Fiji counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka, for a taste of the action.
Wallabies fan Belinda Casson, her husband Sam, who went to school with scrumhalf Nic White, and the kids drove down from Tamworth to cheer on the team.
"It's been a while since we've actually been able to watch them play," she said.
"It's great to be able to come to Newcastle to watch them, the last time we watched them was in Sydney when they played against Tonga, so to be able to come to Newcastle with all of Samuel's family here from Scone, it's great."
Sunday marked the first time the Flying Fijians have played on Australian turf since 2017, with the teams having last met at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
The men in gold returned to McDonald Jones Stadium for their third-ever Test in the Hunter Region, having last played here against Argentina in the 2020 international season.
Novocastrians Emma and Chad Hart arrived early and said it was great to have a national-level game in their hometown.
"We've travelled to Fiji a few times. We do some work over there when we can for some of the local schools, and we've got quite a few Fijian friends, so Chad sticks with his mates, and I stick with the Aussies," Ms Hart said.
"We wanted to give the boys the full experience, see all the entertainment, all the different food venues and relax while we get ready for it all."
Newcastle has already been confirmed as a host city for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, with four pool matches to be played at the city's stadium.
Ai Sariman and his wife Kim made the almost eight-hour trip to Newcastle from Cobar, the tickets bought as part of a birthday present.
Mr Sariman had high hopes for the Flying Fijians while Mrs Sariman and their two kids were gunning for the Wallabies.
"We drove yesterday, we're Papua New Guinean, and we've never been to Fiji, so the three of us are supporting Australia while he's supporting Fiji," Ms Sariman said.
"It's something different because we've never actually been to a game, the three of us [her and the kids]."
Ahead of the game, Mr Albanese told ABC Newcastle the clash was a big deal.
"I expect a very, very big and loud crowd there at the stadium in Newcastle," he said.
"I look forward to being in Newcastle ... but then, of course, Newcastle is hosting four of the games in the Rugby World Cup in 2027 as well, so it's a great sporting city."
Mr Albanese said he looked forward to having a warm discussion with Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, who also attended the game.
"The truth is that we enjoy similar sporting activities because we have similar histories and because we are part of the same region, and those personal relations are so important," he said.
Mr Rabuka flew into Newcastle Airport on Saturday, where he was greeted by Newcastle lord mayor Ross Kerridge and Port Stephens mayor Leah Anderson.
Cr Kerridge took Mr Rabuka to Fort Scratchley for a special firing of the historic guns, where they had the opportunity to fire off a shot across Nobbys.
In a social media post, Cr Kerridge said the visit was not just about football.
"It is about maintaining good relations with our South Pacific neighbours for lots of important reasons," he said.
"I think we've made a good impression in that regard.
"What an upbeat and exciting weekend this is proving to be. I hope everyone enjoys the game."
The match kicked off at 1.30pm.
FIJI fans gave the sea of green and gold a run for their money as thousands of spectators swarmed McDonald Jones Stadium for the Wallabies Test showdown against Fiji on Sunday afternoon.
In the dying seconds of the game, Wallabies captain Harry Wilson scored, resulting in a 21-18 win against Fiji.
Wearing jerseys, waving flags and belting chants, the 28,132-strong crowd brought a roaring atmosphere to the stadium, with supporters from across the region streaming in, as well as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Fiji counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka, for a taste of the action.
Wallabies fan Belinda Casson, her husband Sam, who went to school with scrumhalf Nic White, and the kids drove down from Tamworth to cheer on the team.
"It's been a while since we've actually been able to watch them play," she said.
"It's great to be able to come to Newcastle to watch them, the last time we watched them was in Sydney when they played against Tonga, so to be able to come to Newcastle with all of Samuel's family here from Scone, it's great."
Sunday marked the first time the Flying Fijians have played on Australian turf since 2017, with the teams having last met at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
The men in gold returned to McDonald Jones Stadium for their third-ever Test in the Hunter Region, having last played here against Argentina in the 2020 international season.
Novocastrians Emma and Chad Hart arrived early and said it was great to have a national-level game in their hometown.
"We've travelled to Fiji a few times. We do some work over there when we can for some of the local schools, and we've got quite a few Fijian friends, so Chad sticks with his mates, and I stick with the Aussies," Ms Hart said.
"We wanted to give the boys the full experience, see all the entertainment, all the different food venues and relax while we get ready for it all."
Newcastle has already been confirmed as a host city for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, with four pool matches to be played at the city's stadium.
Ai Sariman and his wife Kim made the almost eight-hour trip to Newcastle from Cobar, the tickets bought as part of a birthday present.
Mr Sariman had high hopes for the Flying Fijians while Mrs Sariman and their two kids were gunning for the Wallabies.
"We drove yesterday, we're Papua New Guinean, and we've never been to Fiji, so the three of us are supporting Australia while he's supporting Fiji," Ms Sariman said.
"It's something different because we've never actually been to a game, the three of us [her and the kids]."
Ahead of the game, Mr Albanese told ABC Newcastle the clash was a big deal.
"I expect a very, very big and loud crowd there at the stadium in Newcastle," he said.
"I look forward to being in Newcastle ... but then, of course, Newcastle is hosting four of the games in the Rugby World Cup in 2027 as well, so it's a great sporting city."
Mr Albanese said he looked forward to having a warm discussion with Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, who also attended the game.
"The truth is that we enjoy similar sporting activities because we have similar histories and because we are part of the same region, and those personal relations are so important," he said.
Mr Rabuka flew into Newcastle Airport on Saturday, where he was greeted by Newcastle lord mayor Ross Kerridge and Port Stephens mayor Leah Anderson.
Cr Kerridge took Mr Rabuka to Fort Scratchley for a special firing of the historic guns, where they had the opportunity to fire off a shot across Nobbys.
In a social media post, Cr Kerridge said the visit was not just about football.
"It is about maintaining good relations with our South Pacific neighbours for lots of important reasons," he said.
"I think we've made a good impression in that regard.
"What an upbeat and exciting weekend this is proving to be. I hope everyone enjoys the game."
The match kicked off at 1.30pm.
FIJI fans gave the sea of green and gold a run for their money as thousands of spectators swarmed McDonald Jones Stadium for the Wallabies Test showdown against Fiji on Sunday afternoon.
In the dying seconds of the game, Wallabies captain Harry Wilson scored, resulting in a 21-18 win against Fiji.
Wearing jerseys, waving flags and belting chants, the 28,132-strong crowd brought a roaring atmosphere to the stadium, with supporters from across the region streaming in, as well as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Fiji counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka, for a taste of the action.
Wallabies fan Belinda Casson, her husband Sam, who went to school with scrumhalf Nic White, and the kids drove down from Tamworth to cheer on the team.
"It's been a while since we've actually been able to watch them play," she said.
"It's great to be able to come to Newcastle to watch them, the last time we watched them was in Sydney when they played against Tonga, so to be able to come to Newcastle with all of Samuel's family here from Scone, it's great."
Sunday marked the first time the Flying Fijians have played on Australian turf since 2017, with the teams having last met at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
The men in gold returned to McDonald Jones Stadium for their third-ever Test in the Hunter Region, having last played here against Argentina in the 2020 international season.
Novocastrians Emma and Chad Hart arrived early and said it was great to have a national-level game in their hometown.
"We've travelled to Fiji a few times. We do some work over there when we can for some of the local schools, and we've got quite a few Fijian friends, so Chad sticks with his mates, and I stick with the Aussies," Ms Hart said.
"We wanted to give the boys the full experience, see all the entertainment, all the different food venues and relax while we get ready for it all."
Newcastle has already been confirmed as a host city for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, with four pool matches to be played at the city's stadium.
Ai Sariman and his wife Kim made the almost eight-hour trip to Newcastle from Cobar, the tickets bought as part of a birthday present.
Mr Sariman had high hopes for the Flying Fijians while Mrs Sariman and their two kids were gunning for the Wallabies.
"We drove yesterday, we're Papua New Guinean, and we've never been to Fiji, so the three of us are supporting Australia while he's supporting Fiji," Ms Sariman said.
"It's something different because we've never actually been to a game, the three of us [her and the kids]."
Ahead of the game, Mr Albanese told ABC Newcastle the clash was a big deal.
"I expect a very, very big and loud crowd there at the stadium in Newcastle," he said.
"I look forward to being in Newcastle ... but then, of course, Newcastle is hosting four of the games in the Rugby World Cup in 2027 as well, so it's a great sporting city."
Mr Albanese said he looked forward to having a warm discussion with Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, who also attended the game.
"The truth is that we enjoy similar sporting activities because we have similar histories and because we are part of the same region, and those personal relations are so important," he said.
Mr Rabuka flew into Newcastle Airport on Saturday, where he was greeted by Newcastle lord mayor Ross Kerridge and Port Stephens mayor Leah Anderson.
Cr Kerridge took Mr Rabuka to Fort Scratchley for a special firing of the historic guns, where they had the opportunity to fire off a shot across Nobbys.
In a social media post, Cr Kerridge said the visit was not just about football.
"It is about maintaining good relations with our South Pacific neighbours for lots of important reasons," he said.
"I think we've made a good impression in that regard.
"What an upbeat and exciting weekend this is proving to be. I hope everyone enjoys the game."
The match kicked off at 1.30pm.
FIJI fans gave the sea of green and gold a run for their money as thousands of spectators swarmed McDonald Jones Stadium for the Wallabies Test showdown against Fiji on Sunday afternoon.
In the dying seconds of the game, Wallabies captain Harry Wilson scored, resulting in a 21-18 win against Fiji.
Wearing jerseys, waving flags and belting chants, the 28,132-strong crowd brought a roaring atmosphere to the stadium, with supporters from across the region streaming in, as well as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Fiji counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka, for a taste of the action.
Wallabies fan Belinda Casson, her husband Sam, who went to school with scrumhalf Nic White, and the kids drove down from Tamworth to cheer on the team.
"It's been a while since we've actually been able to watch them play," she said.
"It's great to be able to come to Newcastle to watch them, the last time we watched them was in Sydney when they played against Tonga, so to be able to come to Newcastle with all of Samuel's family here from Scone, it's great."
Sunday marked the first time the Flying Fijians have played on Australian turf since 2017, with the teams having last met at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
The men in gold returned to McDonald Jones Stadium for their third-ever Test in the Hunter Region, having last played here against Argentina in the 2020 international season.
Novocastrians Emma and Chad Hart arrived early and said it was great to have a national-level game in their hometown.
"We've travelled to Fiji a few times. We do some work over there when we can for some of the local schools, and we've got quite a few Fijian friends, so Chad sticks with his mates, and I stick with the Aussies," Ms Hart said.
"We wanted to give the boys the full experience, see all the entertainment, all the different food venues and relax while we get ready for it all."
Newcastle has already been confirmed as a host city for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, with four pool matches to be played at the city's stadium.
Ai Sariman and his wife Kim made the almost eight-hour trip to Newcastle from Cobar, the tickets bought as part of a birthday present.
Mr Sariman had high hopes for the Flying Fijians while Mrs Sariman and their two kids were gunning for the Wallabies.
"We drove yesterday, we're Papua New Guinean, and we've never been to Fiji, so the three of us are supporting Australia while he's supporting Fiji," Ms Sariman said.
"It's something different because we've never actually been to a game, the three of us [her and the kids]."
Ahead of the game, Mr Albanese told ABC Newcastle the clash was a big deal.
"I expect a very, very big and loud crowd there at the stadium in Newcastle," he said.
"I look forward to being in Newcastle ... but then, of course, Newcastle is hosting four of the games in the Rugby World Cup in 2027 as well, so it's a great sporting city."
Mr Albanese said he looked forward to having a warm discussion with Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, who also attended the game.
"The truth is that we enjoy similar sporting activities because we have similar histories and because we are part of the same region, and those personal relations are so important," he said.
Mr Rabuka flew into Newcastle Airport on Saturday, where he was greeted by Newcastle lord mayor Ross Kerridge and Port Stephens mayor Leah Anderson.
Cr Kerridge took Mr Rabuka to Fort Scratchley for a special firing of the historic guns, where they had the opportunity to fire off a shot across Nobbys.
In a social media post, Cr Kerridge said the visit was not just about football.
"It is about maintaining good relations with our South Pacific neighbours for lots of important reasons," he said.
"I think we've made a good impression in that regard.
"What an upbeat and exciting weekend this is proving to be. I hope everyone enjoys the game."
The match kicked off at 1.30pm.
