Sydney’s gay rugby side the Convicts to play curtain-raiser before Waratahs v Highlanders at Allianz Stadium

THE fight for mainstream ­acceptance of gay athletes will take another step when a historic curtain-raiser is played before the Waratahs clash on Sunday.

(L to R) Rugby union players Jason Fowler and Brennan Bastyovanszky of the Sydney Convicts, Israel Folau and Adam Ashley-Cooper of the NSW Waratahs and Donovan Baker and Tim Mugglestone of Macquarie University pose for a photo after a training session in Sydney on July 3, 2014. Australia's Sydney Convicts team will make history this weekend when they become the first gay rugby team in the world to play on the same bill as a professional match, team officials said on July 3. The Sydney Convicts will take on Macquarie University in the curtain-raiser to the Super Rugby game between the New South Wales Waratahs and New Zealand's Otago Highlanders in Sydney on July 6. AFP PHOTO / Peter PARKS IMAGE STRICTLY FOR EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE

THE fight for mainstream ­acceptance of gay athletes will take another significant step when a historic curtain-raiser is played before the Waratahs clash at Allianz Stadium on Sunday.

Sydney’s gay rugby side, the Convicts, will take on Macquarie University before the Tahs take on the Highlanders — the first fixture of its kind in world rugby.

The Convicts clash will be only the second appearance worldwide by a gay sports team in a professional arena. The first was a football match in France.

Convicts prop Brennan ­Bastyovanszky is thrilled to be playing in the game, which will have 20,000 spectators watching teams which are more familiar with crowds of 20.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime ­opportunity,” ­Bastyovanszky said.

“We don’t get to play in professional stadiums very often, so it’s everyone’s dream to be a part of it.”

­Bastyovanszky said the match was a major stride in the campaign to rid sport of homophobia.

“This game raises awareness; we get amazing guys like the Waratahs showing their support for the team,” he said.

Waratahs scrum-half Nick Phipps said: “It is pretty special for us as a team, especially helping the Convicts to not only show their talent but to raise awareness against homophobia and to help them with this great opportunity.”