A COVENTRY couple will put their big day on hold for 80minutes by taking in a Four Nations match between Australia and New Zealand at the Ricoh Arena.
Deborah Wilson and big Australian rugby league fan Greg Papa will stop off in their wedding attire to take in the heavyweight clash between the Kangeroos and the Kiwis on Saturday (November 5) at 8pm.
After meeting at City Church in Coventry back in April 2015, the couple made the decision to tie the knot and will do so at Laurence Saunders Road Baptist in Radford – followed by a reception at the neighbouring community hall.
The newlyweds will then have to depart their 100-strong wedding party and race down to the Ricoh Arena to see Greg’s beloved team take on their old rivals.
Greg, who is originally from Sydney and is now a horticulturist at Kings Lodge in Nuneaton, said he couldn’t believe his luck when he discovered his home team were playing New Zealand on his wedding day in the same city.
He added: “I’ve spoken to Debbie quite a bit about rugby league just so she knows what she’s letting herself in for once we’re married.
“When this fixture came up she said that we had to do it.
“We’re fairly confident we’ll be finished in enough time to make it for kick off – I’m really looking forward to the game which will be very intense.
“I have a lot of Kiwi friends back in Australia and I’ve met one or two over here – hopefully my boys can pull it out of the bag for me to top off my special day off and give me the bragging rights.”
Debbie, who is from Earlsdon and is a Locksmith at the ExtraCare Charitable Trust, said everything has fallen into place perfectly for them.
She said: “Both I and Greg are devout Christians and thank God for bringing us together at church, and we think God has even played a part in adding this extra treat into the day for us.”
Australia vs New Zealand is the final game of a Four Nations double-header, which will see England take on Scotland earlier that same evening at 5.30pm.
Visit www.rugby-league.com/tickets for more information and to book tickets for the day of international action.
