Rugby Choir launches race to win Bledisloe call up
Rugby Choir launches race to win Bledisloe call up
August 26, 2010 - 10:39am
Story by: ARU
http://www.rugby.com.au/verve/_resou...page_image.jpg The Old Boys Rugby Choir want to sing at the Bledisloe
Australian Rugby Union has today agreed to an unusual challenge laid down by a group of former players wanting to sing the national anthem at ANZ Stadium before the Bledisloe Cup Test on 11 September.
The Old Boys Rugby Choir has been offered the opportunity to realise its dream – providing the group can deliver on its promise of signing up 10,000 Facebook fans prepared to support the cause.
A deadline of Monday, 6 September, has been set for the OBRC to reach its target.
If successful the Rugby-mad choir – which includes former Australia A and Australian Sevens representative Marc Stcherbina – will win the chance to support Australian country music icon John Williamson in singing Advance Australia Fair on the field of play in front of a massive crowd and millions watching on TV around the world.
The group, with a mix of representative, grade, suburban and schoolboy Rugby experience, say they are galvanized by a love of the Qantas Wallabies and a passion for Australia’s anthem and how it should be sung.
“We’ve heard too many pop stars muck about with Advance Australia Fair over the years and the boys want to address it,” former West Harbour winger and choir captain Mick Garnett says.
”The OBRC version of the national anthem is bold and stirring, forthright and honest.
“I’m sure there are thousands of Rugby supporters out there who agree and would like to hear the anthem delivered by a bunch of fellow Rugby fans who similarly dream of Bledisloe glory for the Wallabies.
“We’d love the opportunity to support John Williamson. We love John’s version of the anthem.”
Rugby fans who wish to support the Old Boys Rugby Choir’s bid to appear at the Bledisloe Cup should go to www.facebook.com/rugbychoirand click on the ‘Like’ button at the top of the page.
Williamson, currently touring the country to celebrate 40 years in the music industry, says he’s delighted the ARU has given the OBRC an opportunity to join him centre stage before the Wallabies’ final Test of the year on home soil.
“It is an honour for me to be joined by these great Wallabies supporters in delivering our national anthem,” Williamson said.
“I have been keen to also sing Waltzing Matilda again after New Zealand’s Haka for some time, the Wallabies have not had the vocal support they deserve from the crowd.
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