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Australian Rugby urges Australia to 'Get Onside' for rugby's biggest year
January 22, 2007 - 3:12pm
Story by: ARU
The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) officially launched the 2007 rugby season today, urging all Australians to 'Get Onside' for a year of “wall-to-wall” rugby.
Professional rugby will fill the Australian sporting calendar from February to October, kicking off with the Investec Super 14 next Friday 2 February and culminating with the Qantas Wallabies' Rugby World Cup campaign in France.
Australian Rugby's new 'Get Onside' campaign, launched to the media today, is a call to arms that aims to inspire all Australians to get involved in rugby in 2007, and to also get behind the Qantas Wallabies on their road to France and the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
The centre-piece of the campaign is a new television commercial, which was developed with leading agency George Patterson Y&R. The commercial was shot in the rural South-East Queensland town of Allora and features the local community alongside Qantas Wallabies and Super 14 stars.
The ARU's official website, www.rugby.com.au, has also received a major facelift, while a dedicated 'Get Onside' splash page, www.getonside.com.au, has been launched today to carry a range of exciting new content for the campaign including a major national promotion giving fans the opportunity to win a week with the Wallabies in France.
ARU Managing Director & CEO Gary Flowers, Qantas Wallabies Coach John Connolly and Australia's best known modern general, General Peter Cosgrove, AC, MC (Retd) were joined by Queensland Reds scrumhalf Sam Cordingley, Brumbies flanker Daniel Heenan, Western Force back Lachlan MacKay and NSW Waratahs captain Phil Waugh for today's launch.
General Cosgrove, a passionate rugby supporter, took the honour of unveiling the official Qantas Wallabies 'Road to France' Countdown Clock that will count down the days, hours, minutes and seconds to the kick off of the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
“Australians just love their men and women in green and gold and wherever they play, they're behind them 100 percent,” General Cosgrove said.
“Over the years I've watched many Australians support rugby in many parts of the world and I'm looking forward to everyone here at home getting onside and getting behind rugby and the Qantas Wallabies in this great year.”
ARU Managing Director & CEO Gary Flowers said that there were many ways Australians of all ages could get behind rugby and get onside in 2007.
“Whether it's getting together with your mates to watch a rugby match, signing up as a player or volunteer with your local rugby club, or getting behind our national team, the Qantas Wallabies, for the Rugby World Cup, there are many ways Australians can get onside and enjoy rugby,” Flowers said.
“Kicking off with the Investec Super 14 next week, there is a professional rugby match practically every weekend until the Rugby World Cup Final.
“There are plenty of opportunities for people of all ages around Australia to be part of this massive year and the fun and unique experiences rugby offers.”
Qantas Wallabies Coach John Connolly said that the 2007 season would provide a number of challenges for the players and a full year of entertainment for rugby supporters.
“This year is one of the biggest and most important years that Australian Rugby has ever embarked upon,” Connolly said.
“It's going to be a very challenging year for the Qantas Wallabies as we build towards the World Cup in October and it is also a very exciting year for supporters with so much rugby to follow.”
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Was the wait worth it - Ya betta baby 
