Wakefield Set to Host Historic Rugby Union Test Match

When Wakefield is mentioned in the context of rugby, the conversation often leans towards legends like Wavell Wakefield, the former England captain famed for his role in the Grand Slam of the 1920s. Posthumously honored with a spot in the World Rugby Hall of Fame in 2015, his legacy looms large in the sporting community.

Additionally, the city boasts connections to modern rugby stars, including Mike Tindall, a member of the 2003 Rugby World Cup-winning squad. Tindall was educated at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School (QEGS) in Wakefield, just like England’s inaugural Rugby World Cup captain, Mike Harrison, who famously earned the nickname 'Burglar Bill' for his knack for intercept tries. This spirited name now serves as the title of a monthly newsletter that keeps the rugby union spirit alive in Wakefield.

The Decline of Rugby Union in Wakefield

Unfortunately, first-class rugby union has been absent from Wakefield for nearly two decades. The last match for Wakefield RFC ended on a disheartening note on April 22, 2004, when they lost to Coventry, a defeat that led to their relegation from National One. The club faced dissolution shortly after, leaving devoted fans, including local press officer and historian Richard Lowther, devastated.

Today, while junior clubs like Sandal continue to promote the sport, the absence of a premier rugby union team remains a significant loss for enthusiasts like Lowther. He tirelessly compiles the Burglar Bill newsletter, filled with rich historical content and anecdotes that celebrate rugby's past in the region. Notably, his subscribers include former England coach Stuart Lancaster, who donned the black and gold of Wakefield in his playing days.

A Historic Test Match Approaches

Fast forward to this Saturday, and something quite remarkable is set to take place in Wakefield. Rather than the familiar College Grove, where Wakefield RFC used to play, the action will unfold at the DIY Kitchens Stadium, known to many as Belle Vue before it adopted commercial sponsorship. Lowther has been particularly intrigued by the upcoming international match featuring Zimbabwe and Samoa, both teams set to face each other for the very first time.

Interestingly, this Test match will be the first 15-a-side rugby match on the Belle Vue site since Sandal faced Sheffield in 1948. It also holds the distinction of being the first rugby union Test match ever hosted in Wakefield, and the twelfth overall in Yorkshire since such matches began in the 1880s, with the inaugural England vs Wales fixture taking place at Cardigan Fields in Leeds.

Looking Ahead

Questions remain about why Wakefield was selected as the venue for this significant event, but it presents a golden chance for rugby union to shine in a city where rugby league typically reigns supreme. Early ticket sales have been promising, with the Neil Fox MBE East Stand already sold out before the match week started.

Following their encounter against Samoa, the Zimbabwe team will return to familiar territory for their next match, facing Uruguay at Vallis Way, home of Championship club Ealing Trailfinders, on November 14. They will conclude their Nations Cup campaign a week later against Chile in Angoulême, France.

With excitement building around this historic event, the rugby community is abuzz. This Saturday will not only serve as a chance for international competition but also a moment to rekindle the rugby union spirit in Wakefield.