Wallabies legend to headline Old Tie Lunch

FORMER World Cup-winning Wallabies captain Nick Farr-Jones will be the special guest speaker at the Far North Coast rugby union Old Tie Lunch this year.

The lunch attracts about 200 people and will be held at Byron Bay Bowling Club on Friday, July 4.

Farr-Jones captained the Australian team in 36 consecutive Test matches between 1988 and 1992, winning both Bledisloe Cups and the World Cup.

The Old Tie Lunch has been running for 26 years and raises money for the FNC junior rugby competition.

It has helped local players progress to NSW Country, state and school representative teams.

“Nick is actually an old friend of mine and I’m sure he will have a few stories to entertain the crowd,” event organiser Brian Donnellan said.

“He was part of that 1984 Grand Slam team — it’s pretty unique and there is only a limited group of Australian captains who have won World Cups.”

When he retired in 1992, Farr-Jones was the most capped Wallabies halfback and captain.

He went on to work in finance and has been a rugby union commentator in Australia and New Zealand.

The Old Tie Lunch attracts people from across the Far North Coast who are involved in or have supported rugby union clubs.

Money raised has helped the likes of Alstonville brothers Alex and Matt Gibbon when they grew up playing in the junior competition.

Matt went on to play for the Wallabies before retiring last week, while Alex played in the Australian sevens team.

The FNC zone usually has a host of junior and senior players represent at NSW Country level each year.

“All the clubs around the zone are really supportive and it’s an event for everyone,” Donnellan said.

“Even if we sell out, we can always squeeze a couple more on to a table.

“We’re lucky to have Sanctum at Billinudgel sponsoring us with their gift packs each year.

“The bowling club has been really good to us too — more than half of our events since we started have been held there.”

Tickets can be purchased by contacting Brian Donnellan on 0404 486 445 or Andrew Hoolihan at 0412 217 337.