Wallabies coach Les Kiss, Brumbies chair Joe Roff, Brumbies coach Steve Larkham alongside players at the announcement of Super Rugby returning to Manuka Oval in 2027. Photo: Tim Gavel.
With average crowd numbers of 7500 at Canberra Stadium for six regular home season games this year, it was obvious the Brumbies needed to look outside the box to reconnect with the community.
That search has led the team back to Manuka Oval, where the Brumbies played a lone Super Rugby game at the ground in 1996, when they beat the Natal Sharks 44-31.
Just over three decades later, Joe Roff, who scored four tries in that game, was back at Manuka Oval this week as the Brumbies chairman to announce that the team will play two games on the hallowed turf in 2027.
The Brumbies will play the Western Force on Friday, 19 March, then face the Queensland Reds on Saturday, 10 April.
The aim is to test the waters by playing away from Canberra Stadium.
“GIO remains the home of the Brumbies,” said Roff. “We can show the community something different at Manuka.”
The hope is that the closeness of Manuka Oval to pubs, cafes and restaurants will provide a broader experience for rugby fans.
Manuka Oval’s close proximity to eateries and pubs could act as a boost to the Brumbies as they plan to play two Super Rugby games there in 2027. Photo: Thomas Lucraft.
The smaller capacity will hopefully provide an atmosphere missing at Canberra Stadium, which can appear cavernous at Brumbies games.
The two games will also pay homage to the history of rugby at the ground when we’re celebrating the 90th year of ACT Rugby.
In 1938 the ACT played the touring All Blacks, which the tourists won 57-5.
Other highlights at the ground include an appearance by the Springboks at the height of apartheid in 1971.
A 21-20 victory by the ACT over the reigning Five Nations Champions Wales in 1978 was a moment to savour.
The Canberra Kookaburras and the Canberra Vikings also called Manuka home for a number of years.
2027 will be a fascinating year for rugby in Canberra.
The World Cup warm-up test between the Wallabies and Ireland at Canberra Stadium, along with the Manuka experiment, will heighten expectations.
If the Manuka move is successful, it will no doubt lead to more Brumbies games there beyond 2027.
