By
Michael Weaver
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Leading
Aircraftman Brendan Christensen puts on a sidestep while
making his way through oncoming traffic for Darwin against
Perth during the Australian Rugby Shield in Kalgoorlie.
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A
LEADING Aircraftman from RAAF Base Darwin gained representative
rugby union honours with the Northern Territory in the annual
Australian Rugby Shield.
LAC Brendan Christensen, a ground support engineering fitter with
No. 321 Combat Support Squadron, played in the Darwin side against
other State-based sides, which included Leading Seaman Jason Harrington
for Queensland Country and Leading Seaman Shaun Guppy for Perth.
These ADF personnel were also team-mates in Australian Services
Rugby Union (ASRU) side that recently played a series of matches
in Sydney and Brisbane.
Darwin unfortunately lost all its five matches and failed to progress
to the finals, however LAC Christensen was only able to play in
one match due to commitments with the ASRU side.
That match was against eventual Australian Rugby Shield winner
Perth at Kalgoorlie where Darwin was defeated 48-0.
LAC Christensen played in the outside centre position.
Darwin also lost to Melbourne 42-36, NSW Country 31-12, Adelaide
25-17 and QLD Country 38-24.
LAC Christensen’s season has now finished after his club
side, the Casuarina Cougars, was eliminated in the semi-finals
of the Darwin competition.
A member of the ASRU side since 2000, LAC Christensen is looking
forward to the ASRU tour of the United States and Canada next
year.
