Manuka Oval: the scene of unforgettable contests. Photo: Thomas Lucraft.
Apart from the Brumbies’ grand final victories and the victory against the British and Irish Lions at Canberra Stadium, the most memorable moments I have of rugby union in the ACT took place at Manuka Oval.
In 1995 the Canberra Kookaburras played their home games in the NSWRU at Manuka.
The competition brought the might of the Sydney clubs to Canberra to take on the ACT’s finest in a precursor to the Super 12 the following year.
The memory many have of the 1995 season occurred on a winter’s Saturday afternoon at Manuka Oval.
The Kookaburras were playing Randwick, who had the likes of David Knox in their line-up, while George Gregan and the like were playing for Canberra.
As you can imagine, there was a big crowd for what turned out to be an epic contest.
Midway through the game, the tension was broken somewhat as the nuptials from St Christopher’s Cathedral across the road were somehow broadcast on the speaker system at Manuka Oval as a scrum packed down.
Laughter filled the ground before hostilities resumed.
A year later heralded another memorable moment in the Brumbies debut season in the Super 12.
Concerned that they wouldn’t draw a crowd at Canberra Stadium for a Friday afternoon game, the Brumbies played the Durban Sharks at Manuka.
The setting itself was unique. A portable grandstand was mounted on the ground itself and spectators stood along the sideline in a scene not dissimilar to grassroots sport in Canberra on any given Saturday or Sunday in winter.
ABC Canberra broadcast the game. Rod Kafer and I operated the broadcast from a card table on the sideline, which was often obscured by standing supporters in front of us.
The game was also unforgettable. Joe Roff went on a rampage scoring four tries, including a chip and chase that saw the ball bounce off the cricket pitch over the head of Sharks fullback Percy Montgomery and into the arms of Roff who raced away to score.
The Brumbies are looking to revive some of those memories with plans to play a Super Rugby Pacific game at Manuka next year.
The game being considered is the Round 3 fixture against the Western Force on Saturday afternoon on 9 March.
The hope is that it brings the club a step closer to its supporter base, with the staging of the game in the middle of rugby heartland, surrounded by bars and restaurants.
The game is one of three afternoon fixtures scheduled in Canberra next season, with seven home games in total.
The Brumbies start their season with two games away from home against the Rebels (23 February 2024) and the Chiefs (3 March).
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