Queanbeyan Whites
| Union | ACT & Sthn NSW Rugby Union | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1954 | |
| Ground(s) | Campese Field | |
| President | David Jones (2010-) | |
| Coach(es) | Adam Fahey (2013 -) | |
| League(s) | ACTRU Premier Division | |
| 2010 | 1st | |
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| Official website | ||
| www.whitesrugby.org.au | ||
The Queanbeyan Whites are a rugby union team based in Queanbeyan, New South Wales.
Club history
The Queanbeyan Whites were established in 1954, joining the ACTRU Competition in 1955. The Mighty Whites, as they are also known, have won the ACTRU Premiership (John I Dent Cup) seven times; including a run of three successive premierships from 1981-1983. The Whites were John I Dent Premiers in 1959, 1981, 1982, 1983, 2007, 2008, and 2010.
The Whites broke a 24 year premiership drought by winning the ACTRU Premier Division John I Dent Cup Grand Final in 2007 in which they defeated the Gungahlin Eagles 33-12, a match they never looked like losing. The September 1 Grand Final win was made all the more sweeter by the Queanbeyan Colts side, who also won their grand final on the day, beating the Tuggeranong Vikings.
The following 2008 season proved to be arguably the finest in Whites history with First, Second and the Colts grades finishing the season as minor premiers. The club was also awarded the honour of Champion Club and Club Champions for the first time ever.
However the icing on the cake came for the Mighty Whites at Viking Park on grand final day. Three premierships were delivered in style with First Grade, Second Grade and Colts proving that their minor premierships were no fluke.
2008 grand final results
| Grade | Winner | Score | Runner Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Grade | Queanbeyan | 25 - 18 | Easts |
| 2nd Grade | Queanbeyan | 31 - 14 | Gungahlin Eagles |
| Colts | Queanbeyan | 22 - 15 | Easts |
Notable players
The Whites have had many rugby super-stars play for them including; Australia's test try scoring record holder David Campese, Ricky Stuart (who captained the team in 1987) and Matt Giteau (Australia's highest ever paid rugby player). Tongan international Viliame Iongi played for The Whites between 2010 and 2011.
In 2012, there are currently no less than eight former Queanbeyan Whites first grade players competing in Super Rugby and the National Rugby League:
Anthony Faingaa (Queensland Reds) Saia Faingaa (Queensland Reds) Robbie Coleman (ACT Brumbies) Nic White (ACT Brumbies) Anthony Hegarty (ACT Brumbies) James Stannard (Western Force) Jack Lam (Wellington Hurricanes) Terry Campese (Canberra Raiders - NRL).
Several lesser known, yet prominent, players have also made appearances for the Whites including Wallabies players David Grimmond and Peter Ryan as well as Brumbies super-sub Ipolito Fenukitau. Other notable former players include legendary Rugby League player David Furner and current Australian Rugby League representative star Terry Campese of the Canberra Raiders.
References
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