Until late in the 19th century, Suncorp Stadium, the old Lang Park, was Brisbane’s main cemetery. When the Stadium was constructed and renovated, they took special care to build around it, but it is still there.
And the Welsh will want to echo its original use by burying the Wallabies on June 9.
Last week, Adam Jones, the Welsh tight head, publicly said that, after a long, hard season, three tests in Australia could be one test too many.
If you read into that statement, you can extract the notion that a victory in the first test is the key to achieving the ultimate prize, a series win. Going one up, Wales could afford to lose the second test in Melbourne then play like madmen to win the third in Sydney.
If Wales win one test, they’ll go home to back slaps for beating a southern hemisphere team in the southern hemisphere. If they win the series, they’ll get a ticker tape parade in Cardiff and never have to pay for another beer ever again. Ever.
But Wallabies coach Robbie Deans will have read what Adam Jones said, too. He knows that beating the Welsh in Brisbane first up is paramount.
Wales are less than happy playing at Suncorp, as this is the home ground for the two men they know they have to contain – Will Genia and Digby Ioane.
The ground is also home for Horwill, Simmons, Higginbotham, Shipperley and Morahan. And just to widen the chasm Wales must cross, Suncorp Stadium looks like being sold-out for the match.
Running out, they will see 52,500 fans, battalions of them wearing gold. And because of its rectangular layout, many visiting teams say they feel hemmed in there with the lower tier seats so close to the field.
So what are we likely to see? The Welsh will be bringing shovels, but at the end of 80 minutes, the Wallabies plan to be alive and kicking.
Gary
Guest
Wales aren't coming this time to simply try and be competitive. They actually have the belief they can win the series. I think whoever wins the Brisbane test will win the series 2-1.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Yes, agree hardcore. Wales are still very much the underdogs playing the wallabies on home soil but i dont think the environment will be an excuse. If a rugby player is "scared" or overhelmed by the atmosphere of a stadium in Oz, he'd better do something else.
HardcorePrawn
Guest
I can't really see the rectangular shape of Suncorp being too much of a burden to the Welsh, most Northern Hemisphere stadia are that shape anyway so they'll be pretty much used to it. And as these blokes play their home games at the Millennium Stadium, and regularly play at Twickenham, Murrayfield and Stade de France I don't think that the 52,500 crowd at Suncorp will be too scary for them either.