WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIEKE KASSULKE

Last weekend at Coogee Oval, that glorious heartland of the Australian rugby community, UNSW’s community partner Randwick Rugby Club lined up against Los Pumas. This match up saw the most famous suburban club in Australia face the Argentinian national test side that had based itself in Sydney in preparation for this month’s Rugby World Cup in Japan. Call it nervous anticipation or the recognition of an indelible historic moment; there was something in the air as the teams ran on for the pre-match formalities.

The calm before the storm
The calm before the storm

 “Yaama!” said a beaming Jayden Kitchener-Waters in what was to be the most charismatic and heartfelt welcome to country greetings I have seen.

“I’d like to acknowledge the people of this area, this beautiful saltwater country. I acknowledge their elders both past and present and extend that respect to all of you here today.” 

With an even bigger grin the proud Gomeroi man, UNSW student and Randwick Colts star adds; “I hope you enjoy your stay here and, as always, up the Wicks!”

After slight audio glitch when the crowd wondered whether Argentinians liked U2 enough to make I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For their national anthem, a poised and graceful Olivia Fox sang the fitting dual-language Advance Australia Fair.

I found myself in the western stand between a contingent of boisterous Randwick Colts and an Argentinian family who were amused by my high-school Spanish. I ate my paddock-to-plate beef burger like a wonderful culinary reminder that despite the world-class talent, I was still on the Coogee beachfront and not in a soulless concrete stadium.

Randwick ball boys at attention
Randwick ball boys at attention
Spectators pack the balconies of nearby apartments
Spectators pack the balconies of nearby apartments

The hits landed by the fearless Randwick defence reverberated right up through the aluminium benches as the Australian side held off their opponents. Argentina would remain scoreless for the first 18 minutes. Behind me, two “Old Guys Always at the Rugby Club” offered their own running commentary with that special intensity that comes after the second beer.

“I remember the 1988 game against the All Blacks like it was yesterday, try and pick which one is the junior Poidevin”

“I’d put Hanigan in over Pocock any day” 

And when the voice over the loudspeaker became a little overzealous; 

‘Ugh, that fella just blew the battery out of my hearing aid”.

But in a display of precision and athletic artistry, Los Pumas increased la intensidad and gained momentum throughout the first half. The Argentinian forwards had a tight offload game that kept the Randwick defence on their toes, while the backs stood flat and ran direct lines to pierce the advantage line. Intent on fine-tuning their World Cup plays, the visiting team took the opportunity to practice high percentage sequences and would go on to put themselves on the scoreboard with rolling mauls over the try line. For those that missed out on tickets to the sold-out game, picture an Argentinian front rower as the closest thing in rugby to a blue jersey-clad rhinoceros. In other words, they were very difficult to stop. The second half was characterised by a relentless flurry of tries. Blink and you may have missed winger Bautista Delguy stun both the onlookers and the Randwick defence to score four tries in eight minutes.


 

Triston Reilly and Ned Hanigan counter the speed of the Argentinian offload
Enrique Pieretto and Ned Hanigan counter the speed of the Argentinian offload
Nick Wilkinson and James Ramm in defence
Nick Wilkinson and James Ramm in defence

UNSW’s Elite Athlete Program (EAP) members made their presence felt in the game, relishing the opportunity to take on international opponents.

Christian Poidevin (Bachelor of Engineering) kept pressure on the ball in a bid to contain the Argentinian forwards. The Randwick centres Nick Wilkinson (Bachelor of Commerce) and Triston Reilly (Bachelor of Arts) had the hard task of holding the rampant outside backs at bay and seized every precious opportunity to run the ball. Left-winger James Ramm (Bachelor of Engineering) had a great personal battle with the classy Argentinian wingers and used his speed to create valuable breaks with limited space. 

UNSW EAP poster boy Ned Hanigan (Bachelor of Science) fought to match the dynamic loose forwards, and was visible in critical moments around the field as the afternoon sun caught his head of hair like Smiths Crinkle Cut chips. 

Triston Reilly looks for options
Enrique Pieretto looks for options

 

James Ramm dances around Argentinian defence
James Ramm dances around Argentinian defence
Ned Hanigan covers an Argentinian break 
Ned Hanigan covers an Argentinian break

It was also hard to miss the resounding applause for Australian rugby legend Andrew Walker as he ran on with 10 minutes to go in his final game. Still lithe at 45, it was like a new generation seeing Bruce Springsteen in concert for the first time. 

“Can you believe that guy is still rocking out like that?”

Randwick played the first minute like it was the last minute. The 5000 capacity crowd was mesmerised by all the beloved theatrics of international competition combined with the charm of suburban rugby. I heard the broadest Australian drawl, impassioned Spanish, Kiwi brothers asking for the “chully-bun”, and a South African family staking their claim to a good vantage point with camping chairs. This was a crowd that appreciated the Pumas’ master class and the visitors won the admiration of even the staunchest Randwick supporters. I dare say many of the crowd will be wishing Los Pumas success in their tough Rugby World Cup pool draw.

While newly named “Ella Brothers Whitney Scoreboard” projected a 74-0 final score over the sacred grass of Coogee Oval, the Randwick side is young. Such is the ebb and flow of every rugby club. They are also acutely conscious of the weight of this experience and know that they will return stronger. The future looks bright for Randwick Rugby Club and UNSW is proud and honoured to be part of it.

Christian Poidevin embraces father and Wallabies great Simon Poidevin during post-match celebrations.
Christian Poidevin embraces father and Wallabies great Simon Poidevin during post-match celebrations.