1 August 2025
They may be allies on the battlefield, but when they step on the rugby pitch the Royal Australian Corps of Signals (RA Sigs) and the Royal Corps of Signals (R Sigs) are fierce rivals.
The RA Sigs Rugby Union Football Club played host to a landmark international rugby tour against a team from the British Army’s R Sigs from June 30 to July 10.
The tour was part of the RA Sigs centenary celebrations, involving serving personnel, veterans and emergency services members in a series of fixtures across Queensland, NSW and the ACT.
RA Sigs took on R Sigs in a 15-a-side rugby match at the Norths Rugby Club in Brisbane, where the R Sigs won 38-0.
Captain of the RA Sigs men’s team, Corporal Tim Arnold, said his players made their UK counterparts earn every try they scored.
“It was a great effort by our Aussie lads. I was impressed with the competitiveness and the defence we provided,” Corporal Arnold said.
“I feel like the score line doesn't justify the effort we put in and the way we played.
“The R Sigs team did really well and they brought it to us, playing a tough, aggressive and competitive game.”
'It's great to have them here to help celebrate the Royal Australian Corps of Signals centenary.'
The match was the second chapter in a friendly rivalry that began with a 2018 tour to the UK, where the Australian underdogs surprised their British counterparts with a resounding win.
“We're looking forward to game three,” Corporal Arnold said, explaining the bond between the teams was strong as they had a lot in common.
“We're all soldiers and we're all rugby players, we all enjoy sport and working to defend our countries, and we all do the same job.
“It's great to have them here to help celebrate the Royal Australian Corps of Signals centenary.”
On the same day at the same venue, a combined women’s 15-a-side team comprising members of the RA Sigs and the R Sigs played a match against the Queensland Police Service Women’s Rugby Union team.
Most of the signals corps players only met for the first time when the RA Sigs and R Sigs women’s teams played against each other in a seven-a-side match at Borneo Barracks, north of Toowoomba, two days before.
It was also the first time the two women’s teams had played against each other in Australia.
After the RA Sigs women’s team dominated with two convincing wins (17-0 and 35-7) against their UK counterparts, the combined team was defeated 36-10 by the Queensland Police team.
The captain of the combined women’s side, Corporal Faalalotonga Samaila, said it was a great experience playing with and against their female counterparts from the UK.
“It was definitely a tough game, but I think we played well,” Corporal Samaila said.
“Within the sigs community, this is the first year the two women’s teams have competed against each other, which is a monumental occasion, especially considering this year is the centenary of our corps.
“It’s been fantastic getting to build relationships with these women from across the other side of the world.
“Hopefully we get to cross paths sometime again in the future.”
