RaboDirect Rebels vs Crusaders: scoring support for VIC & QLD flood appeals

RaboDirect to donate thousands per try scored at 5 Feb match

RaboDirect today announced it will donate $3,000 per try scored in the pre-season clash between the RaboDirect Melbourne Rebels and the Canterbury Crusaders at AAMI Park, on Saturday 5 February, to the Victorian and Queensland flood appeals. As principal partner of the Rebels, the online savings and investments bank is urging the team to out-do the Crusaders’ tally at its first home game, but has committed to honour each and every try scored, regardless of who the scoring team is.

Greg McAweeney, General Manager of RaboDirect said: “We wanted to show our support and commitment to the people of Victoria and Queensland who are suffering from the immense devastation of the recent floods. And we knew that the players themselves were keen to get involved and show their support the best way they know how – by playing a great game of Rugby. We’re asking the players give it everything they’ve got and a bit more this Saturday – and we are calling on the Crusaders to also rise to challenge.”

All eyes will be on the elite athletes in both teams. With names like Stirling Mortlock, Danny Cipriani, Lachlan Mitchell, and Cooper Vuna making up some of the big name players for the RaboDirect Melbourne Rebels, it is sure to be an exciting game with a substantial donation total at the final horn.

A running tally on the big screen throughout the game will keep players and fans up to date with the total donation count. In the event of a low or zero try-scoring match, Greg McAweeney said RaboDirect will stand by its commitment to donate to the flood appeal and will reveal the total at the end of the match.

“We hope this challenge will give the players an additional push to get them across the line as many times as they can. But our commitment first and foremost is to the people affected by the floods who are in need of financial assistance and we will provide that even if the game ends try-less. We want the players to get involved and are hoping this challenge will also inspire punters to dig deep and offer their monetary support,” Mr McAweeney said.

The total donation will be presented at the conclusion of the match to the Salvation Army, by Stirling Mortlock and Greg McAweeney.

“You know the adage ‘It doesn’t matter who wins or loses, it’s how you play the game that counts’? I think that has just been changed to ‘it’s how many tries you score that counts,” Mr McAweeney said.

The commitment by RaboDirect is additional to a donation by Rabobank, RaboDirect’s parent company, of $100,000 towards flood relief in affected rural areas.