Qantas Wallabies to return to Sunshine Coast Stadium

The Qantas Wallabies will return to their home away from home again in 2016 with a week-long camp confirmed on the Sunshine Coast from May 30 to June 3.

The Rugby World Cup runners-up will be based at Sunshine Coast Stadium as they prepare for the three-match Cook Cup series against England which gets underway at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday, June 11.

The Wallabies, whose connection with the region as a camp base dates back to the 1990s, were based on the Coast last year ahead of their victorious Rugby Championship campaign.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson said it was a great honour for the Qantas Wallabies to continue to choose the Sunshine Coast Stadium as their base for their first camp of the year.

“They are very welcome guests,” Mayor Jamieson said.

“When you speak to everyone connected to the Wallabies you always hear about how they enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and idyllic surroundings we have as well here on the Coast as well as the outstanding facilities we’ve developed at Sunshine Coast Stadium.

“They’re keen to be involved within the Sunshine Coast community and share their knowledge and skills with their fans and other aspiring young rugby players.

“Having a sporting team of this calibre certainly helps to position our region as Australia’s premier regional major events destination.”

The Wallabies will hold an open training session followed an autograph signing/photograph opportunity at Sunshine Coast Stadium.

Qantas Wallabies Head Coach Michael Cheika said: “It is really key for us that we continue to keep our Wallabies in touch with our fans from all over the country.

“I spent some time in far North Queensland last month and the reaction was great and we know there are plenty of people who want to get a bit closer the Wallabies from all around the Sunshine Coast area.

“Sunshine Coast Stadium is a first class venue and an ideal environment for us to reconnect, train hard and prepare the best we possibly can for the England Test series kicking off in Brisbane on June 11.”

Minister for Tourism and Major Events Kate Jones said Queensland looked forward to hosting the first Test of the series, and welcoming the English team and their supporters to Suncorp Stadium.

"The Australia versus England test match will be a highlight on Queensland's It's Live! events calendar which promotes the perfect union of world-class events and destinations,” Ms Jones said.

The last time the two nations met at Suncorp Stadium, on England’s 2004 Tour, the Wallabies exacted revenge for their defeat in the Rugby World Cup Final the previous year with a crushing 51-15 defeat of the tourists.

Make sure you follow Sunshine Coast Stadium’s website and Facebook page to find out when you can meet and greet the players and support the Wallabies as they gear up for their first test match.