Australian Rugby Tours: How Different Can Rugby Culture Be?

The Twickenham atmosphere with a backdrop of Swing Low is something many Londoners are familiar with. But Down Under, there’s a different approach to the same game, and it can only be experienced on tour.

For Londoners, the not-quite-football level of rivalries with a big community spirit is what drives rugby culture. But it turns out it’s not actually all that unique to the UK and has, in fact, taken on a life of its own in Australia.

The Heart of Australian Rugby

Rugby in Australia began all the way back in the 19th century when British migrants brought over the idea. Like most sports, it started out being played in universities, and the first club to birth was the Sydney University Football Club in 1863 (they’re still going today and can be watched when on tour). It didn’t take long for the game to spread, and feisty state competitions soon led to a national team.

The Wallabies were founded in 1899, with the early days being centered around intense clashes with Britain. In fact, this was even before Australia sought independence. These contests really did set the tone for rugby’s importance early on in the country. Not just the game, but the desire to be better than Britain at their own game.

The Experience of a Rugby Tour

A rugby tour to Australia, you would think, isn’t much different from one in Europe, but it is an experience unlike any other – and this is where cultures divide. A rugby tour Down Under isn’t spent in the pub waiting for the game to begin, it’s mostly outside, in part because of the generous weather. And, when on tour, the weather is everything, so there is ample opportunity to really see the cities and indulge in street food and beer gardens. 

Match days have a much more festival feel to them than in the UK, though familiar sights of fans kitted out in team colors can be seen making their way to the stadium. The pre-match atmosphere is a huge buzz, and bizarrely, it can sometimes be more comparable to American Football pre-match culture than it is to Britain’s subdued sporting culture, which is often a low-key affair at the local. Not only because of the food but the festive-like atmosphere with live music and larger spaces. 

Australians are generally very welcoming of rugby tours though, and do share a lot of similarities to British drinking and sporting culture. And, just as Aussies also like a flutter on online casinos for real money there is a rugby betting culture too to make the games more interesting. 

Iconic Australian Rugby Venues

Australian rugby is no stranger to world-famous venues, and you’ll likely see some of them up close. Suncorp Stadium (Brisbane) is what’s considered the modern Colosseum, though in fairness it’s over 100 years old and less modern than some others. But it has a daunting atmosphere and steep stands that rise to a dramatic view of the pitch. This is also a chance to see some cricket grounds, like Sydney’s, which is a rather historic venue with incredible sporting tradition. 

These stadiums are very different from the tighter and slightly run-down grounds in the UK, which tend to suffocate the pitch with its old stands. The Australian stadiums, for better or worse, have a grander appeal – a vastness. Their scale means that higher attendance is possible, and comfort is generally a bit better. 

But suburban grounds shouldn’t be forgotten, as these are the underpinning of Australian rugby culture. Visiting these can be easier too, with cheaper tickets, and they have a more intimate experience; one that a British rugby visitor may feel more familiar with, and serves as a reminder of the game’s grassroots.

Australian vs. British Rugby

The rugby cultures of Australia and the UK have grown apart from their shared beginnings. In Australia, there is more focus on expansive running rugby and the skill of the backs. This is what you will experience up close, and the pace is no doubt frightening. British rugby tends to lean towards a more structured game built around set pieces – perhaps more pragmatic, like its football team. 

Although this may be controversial, Australian rugby games often have a better atmosphere. But in all this talk of Rugby Union, which after all is the game that you’re on tour to see, is the entirely different sport of Rugby League. Unlike Union, Rugby League is an even faster-paced, less tactical game with fewer players on the pitch. It’s worth catching a Rugby League game when on tour just to be exposed to a different, more explosive experience.

An Australian rugby tour helps keep the code alive in Australia, as the extra eyes, money, and buzz contribute massively to the sport’s culture. It’s more than just a holiday but is a full immersion into an epic ongoing party that celebrates the best of rugby culture – wherever you’re from.