‘State of Origin on steroids’: Brisbane’s sea of red ahead of rugby showdown
Brisbane was heaving as thousands of rugby fans packed pubs and bars across the river city.
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They predicted it would be like State of Origin on steroids – and they were right.
Brisbane was heaving on Saturday afternoon as thousands of rugby fans packed pubs and bars across the river city ahead of the sellout first Test between the Wallabies and British and Irish Lions.
Around 4.30pm there were reports that Caxton St had become so overrun with sports fans it had to be closed to traffic.
Caxton Street Development Association boss Sarosh Mehta said the famous street leading to match venue Suncorp Stadium was throbbing, with hours still to go until kick off.
“I’ve just been up and down the street and it’s absolutely chockers,” he said.
“It’s only early afternoon but the vibe is dynamic, it’s electric.
“I said earlier in the week that this would be State of Origin on steroids and from what I’m witnessing now, that was not an overstatement. I’m not about to say anything negative for our own State of Origin but this is way, way bigger.”
Mr Mehta said the huge contingent of Lions supporters had come out early and were outnumbering Wallabies fans by about 10 to 1 in pubs and bars up and down Caxton St.
“All I can see is red jerseys up and down the street – where the hell are our guys?” he said with a laugh.
“Are they going to come in later for an ambush attack?”
Mr Mehta said the huge number of international visitors for the first British and Irish Lions match in Brisbane in 12 years was the big difference between it and the other Caxton St mega events, State of Origin or Magic Round.
Around kickoff specks of yellow were infrequently observed amongst the sea of red.
For over an hour, a resident at 66 Caxton Street, right next to the Caxton Hotel, put on a rock show and entertained onlookers with a convincing electric guitar performance on his front porch.
The Golden Suits, a Wallabies supporters group who travel across the world in iconic suits, were in full display tonight.
“There’s about 40 of us,” James from the Golden Suits said.
“(The crowd) has to be about 80 per cent red… it just helps the underdog status.
“We’ll see what happens if the Wallabies start putting some tries on.”
Mr. Morris has travelled all the way from Wales, watching every game of the tour to support the Lions.
“I think (the Lions) have a good chance tonight,” he said.
“The hospitality in Australia has been wonderful.
“The rugby has been good, but probably my highlight would have been our visit to Uluru.”
Rory travelled from Dublin, Ireland, and said the atmosphere on Caxton Street doesn’t even compare to back home.
“The Irish are always louder (than the Aussies),” he said.
Richie has travelled from Cardiff in Wales and was adorned in a full one-piece lion costume for the game.
“Australia is a fantastic place to visit,” he said.
“Sport is a funny thing… I think the Lions will win.
“Rugby’s (about) having a good time… bringing nations together.”
Sunshine Coast-based Lions fan Gary Logan was among five family members and friends enjoying the pre-game party in the Queen St Mall, decked out in their red and blue supporters’ gear.
“I’m originally from Manchester but have never stopped supporting the Lions, I’m sorry to tell your readers,” he said.
“It’s a great vibe in Brisbane and I can’t wait for the game, which I think is going to be a lot closer than many people are predicting.”
Melbourne-based Lions fan Darren Isom said he was having plenty of fun strutting about Brisbane in a Union Jack suit.
“My missus made it - she’s not a seamstress, she just knocked it up,” he said with a chuckle.
“Watching the Lions play the Wallabies is a special experience but there’s all the fun that goes with it, drinking with the Aussies and having a laugh.
“We’re having a couple of pints now and then we’ll be onto the ciders.”
Story Bridge Hotel owner and Queensland Hotels Association president Richard Deery said the visiting fans were spending up big, buoyed by a favourable exchange rate.
Mr Deery said the iconic pub had enjoyed one of its best-ever days of trade on Friday, with business expected to be double that of a normal week.
“It’s been terrific,” he said.
“We’ve had hundreds of Lions supporters in, chanting and singing. It’s more intense than something like State of Origin for us because a lot of accommodation houses around here have people (visiting rugby fans) staying, and they’ve been here for a few days.
“The way the (exchange rate) conversion of the money is, it’s fantastic. Just the whole atmosphere they add is great. We’ve had people in the restaurant enjoying good steaks and people in the bars enjoying good banter.”
Mr Deery said Wallaby greats David Campese and Mark Connors had spoken at a function at the hotel on Friday night for a visiting British and Irish Lions tour group.
“It’s been good having a few good Wallaby rugby heads to keep these British Lions honest,” he said.
Mr Mehta said fans had been well-behaved and hoped it would continue as the day and night wore on.
“There’s no issues so far, touch wood,” he said.
“Everyone just seems to be happy. Let’s hope it all ends the same way and everyone just goes home peacefully at the end of the night.”
Originally published as ‘State of Origin on steroids’: Brisbane’s sea of red ahead of rugby showdown
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