A host of Queensland rugby legends will come out of retirement and strap on the boots in a stirring effort to help tsunami-ravaged Tonga.
A ‘Vintage Reds XV’ will play a Tongan Invitational side in a charity match at Suncorp Stadium as a curtain raiser to Queensland’s Super Rugby Pacific opener against the Melbourne Rebels on February 15.
Drew Mitchell, James Horwill, Scott Higginbotham and David Croft are among the former Test stars in the Vintage Reds side while George Smith, Wendell Sailor and Lote Tuqiri will feature for the Tongan team coached by Toutai Kefu.
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“It means a great deal to me, my family and my community to get the opportunity to raise some funds for our people,” Kefu said.
“Our country has been devastated by this disaster, so every cent we can raise counts.
“We’ve got some great players strapping on the boots for both teams and it’s going to be a great spectacle with some great rugby played.”
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The 40 minute match will be made up of two 20 minute halves as the QRU supports the recovery from last month’s explosion of the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’apai underwater volcano and subsequent tsunami.
“Our hearts go out to those impacted by the disaster in Tonga,” said Reds general manager of professional rugby Sam Cordingley.
“As a rugby community, plenty of us and the people around us have been directly affected by this event, so we’re really looking forward to raising some much needed funds. Personally, I can’t wait to watch some of the greats of our game back on the turf of Suncorp Stadium raising money for a great cause.”
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