Army VIP Colonel Boniface Aruma to lace up in Remembrance Day rugby clash with Townsville Brolgas

One of Queensland’s highest ranking Army officers will lace up his rugby boots on Friday night to take the field at the annual Remembrance Day match against Townsville. Find out why the game is so meaningful to North Queensland’s rugby community.

Chris Caleo, Toby Paynter, Corporal Orion Dehvilland, LAC Steven Goldsmith and Lieutenant Rayne Sweet are set for the TDRU Remembrance Day Charity Match at Mike Carney Toyota Park. Picture: Evan Morgan

The Deputy Commander of 3rd Brigade, Colonel Boniface Aruma, will lace up his rugby boots on Friday night to take the field at the annual Remembrance Day match against the Townsville Brolgas Masters.

The 48-year-old Papua New Guinea Defence Force officer joined 3rd Brigade in 2024 and is based in Townsville for his two-year posting.

This week he will put his passion on display when he pulls on the red poppy-emblazoned jersey of the Army Masters team.

Aruma will go head-to-head against some of Townsville’s former rugby greats including North Ward Old Boys chairman Chris Caleo, who said the annual clash was a chance for old mates throughout North Queensland’s rugby community to come together.

“It’s a good opportunity for a bit of a mates-on-mates sort of thing. We go out there, we have fun, we are a bit more low-key than the serious fellas,” Caleo said.

Deputy Commander 3rd Brigade Colonol Boniface Aruma welcomes Papua New Guinea Defence Force members on Exercise Kumul Exchange, on 06 September 2024, at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville. PHOTO: CPL Guy Sadler

“Everyone turns up to see what the silly buggers are going to do out there on the field. A bunch of old fellas – is someone going to die, have a heart attack from old age, fall over?

“You generally see the referee out there having a chuckle every five seconds. There’s plenty of banter that goes on and most of those boys have been playing for a long time so there’s no nerves.

“There’s a few boys that are having their first game for us, but you wouldn’t call them spring chickens.”

The Masters’ match will launch Friday’s proceedings at Hugh Street following a Remembrance Day ceremony at 4.45pm, with senior women’s and men’s matches played from 6.10pm and 7.30pm.

Toby Paynter and Corporal Orion Dehvilland are set for the TDRU Remembrance Day Charity Match at Mike Carney Toyota Park. Picture: Evan Morgan

Townsville Brolgas forward Toby Paynter said making the team was always a priority for him considering the limited opportunities available.

“It’s two or three Brolgas games max each year, so I know for me it’s really important to try and make this side, show out and represent the jersey,” Paynter said.

“They’re always a really tough side and the last couple of years haven’t reflected how tough the games can be.

“We’ve taken a bit of an inexperienced side in. Hopefully we can show out and take it right to them.”

Army player Orion Dehvilland said emotions typically ran high as the annual Remembrance Day match approaches.

“We bring a lot of emotions to this game, noting the significance for us, a lot of us have known people who we need to remember,” Dehvilland said.

“It does get very emotional in the changeroom before and after the game, and that’s what we’re here to do, just remember them and play a good game of footy against Townsville’s best.”

Townsville Rugby Union Womens grand final between Brothers and Teachers West at Mike Carney Toyota Park. Teachers Anjeleah Corrigan and Brothers Julia Douglas. Picture: Evan Morgan

Brolgas women’s veteran Julia Douglas said fans of the Townsville side can expect to see some fresh faces among the players on the field.

“I’m really excited, it should be a good game,” Douglas said.

“We’re a very similar team to last year with a few young girls coming though, especially some of my club teammates from Brothers that didn’t get a chance last year.

“It’s something I look forward to every year. It’s one of those games that you always want to be a part of, and you always want to play in.

“It’s going to be a good game: a good, strong game. The Defence team always come out strong, so you can never underestimate them.”

Originally published as Army VIP Colonel Boniface Aruma to lace up in Remembrance Day rugby clash with Townsville Brolgas