Wests Rugby
Toowong (Memorial Park) | ||
| Region | Brisbane | |
|---|---|---|
| Ground(s) | Sedgman Oval, Sci-Fleet Stadium | |
| League(s) | Queensland Premier Rugby | |
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| Official website | ||
| westsbulldogsrugby | ||
Wests Rugby Union Club or Wests is an Australian
The bulk of Wests' players are drawn from the western suburbs of Brisbane where local rivals GPS and University, only a few suburbs away, also compete for players. Wests also draw from Ipswich and Springfield.
Wests is one of the smaller Premier Rugby clubs in terms of player numbers, but it has achieved a share of success in the competition, winning premierships in 1977, 1985, 2006, and 2022.
Their theme song is based on "Take Me Home, Country Roads".[1]
History
Wests Rugby Union Club was founded in 1951 and only fielded one team, but went on to win the reserve grade competition in that first season. Player numbers increased in following years and the club was promoted to the first grade competition in 1955.[2]
The Bulldog mascot was adopted in 1956. The club's blue and white jerseys were changed to red, white and blue in 1959 to be more distinguishable from the
Wests won the first grade Premiership in 1977, the club's 23rd season in the competition.
In 1985, Wests won its second Premiership, and went on to become
Wests had four players selected for Australia at the inaugural 1987 Rugby World Cup;
In 1991, Wests won the Minor Premiership but lost the Grand Final to
They finally broke through to win the Premiership again for the first time in 21 years, by beating rugby stronghold Brothers by one point in 2006.[2] The 2020s Wests crop have included Connor Anderson, Lopeti Faifua, Filipo Daugunu, Hunter Paisami, Ilaisa Droasese, Carter Gordon, Mason Gordon (rugby union), Isaac Henry (rugby union), Angelo Smith, and Glen Vaihu.
Wests became the Minor Premiers in 2022 and went on to defeat the University of Queensland 44–27 to win the Grand Final. In 2023, the Bulldogs made their first back-to-back grand final in over 20 years.
Premiership Finals results
Premiers (Hospital Challenge Cup)
- 1977 Wests 15–10 Brothers
- 1985 Wests 10–7 University of Queensland
- 2006 Wests 23–22 Brothers
- 2022 Wests 44–27 University of Queensland
Runners-up (Vince Nicholls Memorial Trophy)
- 1991 Souths 22–15 Wests
- 1998 Souths 34–18 Wests
- 1999 Easts 16–15 Wests
- 2000 Souths 34–30 Wests
- 2023 Brothers 26–24 Wests
National Club Champions
The Australian Club Championship is a challenge match between the Brisbane and Sydney club premiers. Wests have played in the fixture three times (1986, 2007 and 2023), winning it once (1986).
Internationals
Past and present international players
Australian Representatives
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International Representatives
- Serafín Dengra (Argentina)
- Phil de Glanville (England)
- Moses Sorovi (Fiji)
- Latu Talakai (Tonga)
- Harry Higgins(USA)
See also
References
- ^ "Our Club Song | Wests Bulldogs Rugby". www.westsbulldogsrugby.com.au. Archived from the original on 23 February 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f g "West Brisbane Bulldogs History". Wests Rugby Club. Archived from the original on 12 September 2009. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
- ^ Pramberg, Bernie (24 June 2011). "Stan Pilecki a one-club man and that club is Wests". The Courier-Mail. Archived from the original on 23 April 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2013.
- ^ "Wests set to celebrate their past as they attempt to tackle the Gallopers". www.sportingscribe.com.
External links
- Wests Bulldogs Rugby – Official website
- "Wests former official site", Rugbynet, archived from the original on 13 September 2009