 A Wales vs Australia encounter with no tackling, tries, flailing limbs or mud? That’s got to be unheard of! But it actually happened, although this game took place not on a pitch but in Cardiff’s Tiger Tiger nightspot and there were three teams not two. The Australian team had flown in to play against Wales in the Autumn Internationals and were taking part in a new event - the Rugby Nations Sports quiz in association with Wooden Spoon. Hosted by BBC sports commentator Phil Steele, the quiz was the brainchild of Kate Cobain, wife of Welsh Rugby international Brent Cobain.
After the sad loss of their one-year-old son to cancer in 2004, Kate and Brent set up the Toby Lloyds Cockbain (TLC) Foundation in his memory. The £5,000 proceeds from the sale of the tickets, a raffle and the auction of sports memorabilia will be divided between Spoon and the TLC Foundation, to add to the £300,000 already raised by that charity. Under the able leadership of Rowland Phillips, the Welsh team (comprising Alix Popham, Gareth Cooper, Michael Owen, Ceri Sweeney and Rob Sidoli) swept to victory. The Australian side, led by Scott Johnson and including Team Captain Stirling Mortlock, assistant coach John Muggleton, selector Michael O'Connor, Drew Mitchell and Brendan Cannon, fought back gallantly.
Competing alongside Mel and Jase from Red Dragon Radio in the celebrity team were rugby guru Phil Kingsley Jones, feisty sports broadcaster Eleri Sion, Ex Cardiff Devils Ice Hockey player Shannon Hope and cricketer Mike Powell. Kate, who organised the event, said: “It was fantastic working with Wooden Spoon. Like TLC, Wooden Spoon helps children who are disadvantaged and it’s a partnership that will greatly benefit Welsh children and their families.” The money raised will contribute to buying medical equipment, and a play area specifically designed to entertain the children through their gruelling chemotherapy treatment. For further information contact The Toby Lloyd Cockbain Foundation at PO Box 4177, Cardiff CF14 8AF, Tel 079698 04557 or click on www.tlcfoundation.org.uk
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