Forget code wars: Why Stuart and Larkham want fans at Anzac double-header

Stephen Larkham might have been talking about the chance to see Corey Toole in a Wallabies jersey - but the ACT Brumbies want Canberra Raiders fans to listen to the same message this weekend. SALE ON NOW! Tap into unlimited access Login or signup to continue reading All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper Breaking news alerts direct to your inbox Interactive Crosswords, Sudoku and Trivia All articles from the other regional websites in your area Continue " If I knew Corey was playing, I would be buying a ticket just for the excitement factor of it ," Brumbies Larkham coach said. Forget code wars, the multi-million dollar deal to poach Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii or the boardroom barbs exchanged by rugby league supremo Peter V'landys and former Rugby Australia chair Hamish McLennan .

Sure, one might turn up in RM Williams boots and chinos while the other grew up on tales of cattledog calls, but maybe the two rugby codes aren't so different after all - in Canberra, at least. The Brumbies and Raiders both sit third on their respective competition ladders, and both are coached by some of the greatest playmakers we've ever seen. Ricky Stuart's picture hangs on a wall inside the Queanbeyan Whites' clubhouse after all .



"I've still got a son playing rugby union, and it gave me a great grounding through school and a little bit of senior football," Raiders coach Stuart said. "I've still got great respect for the code and it's nice to be able to both be here on Saturday and Sunday." Because the Brumbies and Raiders have combined with a rare two-for-one ticket offer on Anzac Day weekend , giving fans access to Saturday's Super Rugby clash with the Hurricanes and Sunday's NRL game against the Dolphins from just $20.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart and Brumbies counterpart Stephen Larkham have called on fans to cash in on a ticket offer. Picture by Karleen Minney All while the GWS Giants are preparing to play the Western Bulldogs at Manuka Oval on Saturday night , with the opening bounce scheduled for the exact same time as the Brumbies' kick-off. The AFL and the Giants - whose 10-year, $28.

5 million deal with the ACT government is already a point of contention among Canberra's teams - were made aware of the clash before unveiling their fixture, but moved ahead anyway in a decision which has gone down like a lead balloon across the capital. While clubs won't engage in the code wars, Larkham calls it "amazing value for our fans to see the two Canberra teams play in their competitions". "It's certainly a great weekend of football, having the Brumbies playing here the day before us.

We're both community-driven clubs, and it's a good way to generate big crowds for both games," Stuart said. "We try and give as much as we possibly can to the community, and it would be lovely to see them all out here supporting their teams." Raiders coach Ricky Stuart and Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham met at Canberra Stadium on Tuesday.

Picture by Karleen Minney The Brumbies' clash with the Hurricanes offers Larkham's side a crucial chance to stay in touch with the top two in the hunt for a home semi-final, with four of their last five regular season games to be played in Canberra. "It's certainly going to be smoother now, having seven-day turnarounds into every game until the finals, and having four of the next five at home is certainly going to help us in terms of our preparation," Larkham said. "We're very conscious of where we sit on the ladder, third at the moment, and two teams are on top are four points ahead of us.

Your points differential will certainly come into it, particularly when you talk about a top-two finish and that gives you a home semi-final, which is what we've spoken about for the past couple of years. "With only five games to go, we've got five of the top seven teams now to play against. There's an opportunity for us to go further ahead against these teams, or they can peg back some points on the ladder.

" Meanwhile, 13 Brumbies have been included in Jo Yapp's 40-player Wallaroos squad ahead of the opening Test of the year against Fijiana. Brumbies hooker Katalina Amosa - sister of Wallabies hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa - is one of four new faces from the ACT alongside Martha Fua, Manua Moleka and Ella Ryan , while sevens converts Bienne Terita and Tia Hinds have kept their World Cup ambitions alive . Siokapesi Palu headlines the remainder of the Brumbies contingent, which includes Ash Fernandez, Biola Dawa, Lydia Kavoa, Faitala Moleka, Tania Naden and Tabua Tuinakauvadra.

Share Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Email Copy Caden Helmers Sports Writer Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times. Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times. More from Latest News Ex-Test star's domestic violence jail term suspended 12m ago Labor vows to stop abusers from weaponising tax, super 25m ago The beat goes on as Bluesfest back in business 25m ago Forget code wars: Why Stuart and Larkham want fans at Anzac double-header 46m ago No comment s Gold shines as share safe haven after Trump Fed threat 55m ago Albanese and Dutton face off in third leaders' debate as early voting opens 1hr ago No comment s Newsletters & Alerts View all Daily Your morning news Today's top stories curated by our news team.

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