The first trans-Tasman gay rugby match has ended in victory for New Zealand, with the Ponsonby Heroes scoring a 22-5 win over the visiting Brisbane Hustlers. The Heroes played a very physical game, with one player taken off with a shoulder injury, but it didn't stop them stealing ahead in the first half. The Hustlers single try didn't come till the second half. Hustlers' fly half Nunziolo Castro puts it down to size. "I think they [Heroes] had some pretty big players in key positions, they pretty much beat us in the five-eight and centres today. Overall I think the Heroes were just that little bit stronger than us, a few knock-ons here and there from us, a bit of inconsistent play from us probably cost us a few cheap tries." The Brisbane Hustlers are Australia's second gay rugby team, formed in February this year. They've played several games against the Sydney Convicts, who made the semi-finals in this year's Bingham Cup tournament in London. Castro says the state of gay rugby in Australia is very strong right now, and the Hustlers have been performing well this season. "We've made a steady improvement with each game I think, it just gets to the point now where playing matches like today's very good for us, they're a very physical side, fundamentally quite good, so it's good for us to pick up a few tips on their good points." The Heroes say they're impressed with their Aussie counterparts, but also say they've been struggling to keep their own players this season. "It'd be nice to see some more gay players out there," says Heroes forward Dave Tuki. "We're the old hands of the team, and it'd be nice to see some younger and fresh faces out there playing the game."
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Monday, 27th September 2004 - 12:00pm