The 2008 Rugby League World Cup in Australia was graced by more than 230 England fans travelling round the world on OZ08 supporters’ tours.
Organised and operated by David Howes, the former Great Britain and England Manager, and Traveleads, the official RFL travel specialists, OZ08 packages catered for five, four and three week trips.
Accompanying the lifetime experiences were OZ08 Tour Ambassadors Shaun McRae, the current Salford City Reds Coach; Garry Schofield OBE, most capped Great Britain player and former Test captain; and Mick Morgan, ex-England International and Man of Steel. Plus OZ08 tour leaders David Howes and James Rowan, from Traveleads.
The OZ08 tours followed England in the 10-team World Cup qualifiers and took in both semi-finals and the Final between Australian and against-the-odds victors New Zealand.
Sanctioned as The RFL’s official Supporters Tours, OZ08 had exclusive access to the England squad. A highlight of the tour was a two-hour meeting with Coach Tony Smith and the England players at a barbeque on the riverside in Newcastle in the build up to their qualifying game with New Zealand.
The OZ08 tour bases were Townsville, Melbourne, Sydney, a choice of Manly or Cairns for a chill out break and Brisbane, with roughly a week at each venue.
Top class Rydges and Novotel hotels were utilised, along with Australia’s leading bus company Murrays and highly rated airlines Emirates and Singapore.
