Settled weather predicted for 2018 Brisbane Global Rugby Tens

In 2017 players and spectators alike sweltered as the mercury topped 40 degrees across Australia’s eastern seaboard.

“Fingers crossed but at this stage the weather forecast could hardly be more perfect for this year’s tournament,” Brisbane Global Rugby Tens chief executive Rachael Carroll said.

“We’re looking at maximum daytime temperatures of around 30 degrees, and because we’ve shifted to a day-night format most of the matches will be played when it is significantly cooler.

“That’s great news for players and fans alike.”

While significant measures were put in place to ensure player and spectator safety last year, there was only so much that could be done about spectator comfort in such abnormal conditions, Ms Carroll said.

“We surveyed people who attended the event the overwhelming response was that they loved the on-field product and the atmosphere, and the only slight negative was the extreme heat,” she said.

“So it’s great news that there will almost certainly be no repeat of that.”

Scott Robertson, coach of the Super Rugby champion Crusaders, said he was pleased to see long range weather forecasting for this year’s tournament predicting much more benign conditions.

“Last year the heat was certainly a challenge, particularly on finals day,” said Roberston, whose Crusaders side ended as runners up after going down to the Chiefs in the grand final.

“So it’s great to see we’ll be playing in much kinder conditions. It will still be warm but it won’t be too warm, and obviously that is also great news for fans. We’re really looking forward to getting out there and going one better this year.”

Tim Baker, a Gold Coast-based rugby fan who attended last year’s event with several family groups, said he had already checked the weather forecast for next Friday and Saturday.

“We all loved the tournament last year,” he said. “It was great for the kids to see some of the game’s biggest stars up close, as well as players who you could see were about to step up and become the next big thing.

“We were always going to go back this year, anyway, but it is great to see that the weather should be perfect. Moving to a day-night format is a great idea – it’ll be nice to cool off with a cold one or two as the sun goes down.”

The Brisbane Global Rugby Tens is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and Brisbane City Council through Brisbane Marketing.

Meanwhile, 2018 Highlanders have named a strong squad headlined by All Blacks Luke Whitelock, Dillon Hunt and Elliot Dixon. The squad also includes former All Blacks midfielder Pita Alatini as a wildcard selection.

Highlanders squad for Brisbane Global Rugby Tens:
Forwards: Aki Sieuli, Greg Pleasants-Tate, Tyrel Lomax, Alex Ainley, Paripari Parkinson, Elliot Dixon, Dan Pryor, Shannon Frizell, Luke Whitelock, Dillon Hunt, Marino Mikaele Tu’u, Kalolo Tuiloma, Guy Millar, Ash Dixon, Josh Dickson
Backs: Kayne Hammington, Josh Renton, Josh Ioane, Fletcher Smith , Tevita Nabura,Teihorangi Walden, Ryan Tongia, Josh McKay, Richard Buckman, Terrance Hepetema, Pita Alatini*
*wildcard

For more information contact:
Australia: Sean Lawson +61 402 454 357
New Zealand: Steve Deane +64 21 975 150