The Brisbane Broncos’ strong ties with Pasifika nations continues with members of the Fijian Defence Force members visiting Broncos HQ, ahead of preparations for the largest Exercise Talisman Sabre to be held in Australia.
Around 30 soldiers toured the Clive Berghofer Centre with Wellbeing Manager and former Special Forces operator Adam Walsh.
They met with the playing group and were presented with a jersey from skipper Adam Reynolds and will also attend the Broncos clash with the Newcastle Knights at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
The contingent is being hosted by 7th Brigade at Enoggera Barracks, which the Broncos have close connections with through Walsh, who is passionate about the club’s Defence engagement.
“We’re proud of our ongoing relationship with our Defences Forces, both here in Brisbane but further afield as well,” Walsh said.
“There are strong messages of resilience, mateship and pride, that are also core values across both organisations.
“I’ve travelled with the club to visit our Pasifika neighbours several times now and I know how much they love their footy over there – and there have been plenty of top quality players to come out of Fiji.
“It’s wonderful to welcome these men to our shores and to Red Hill, and to have them in our corner come Saturday night at Suncorp.”
Now in its tenth iteration, Talisman Sabre is the largest bilateral combined training activity between the Australian Defence Force and United States military with a record 30,000 (almost double the number involved in 2021) military personnel to participate this year.
Other partner nations include Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, France, United Kingdom, Canada and Germany.
The Philippines, Singapore and Thailand will also attend as observers.
Talisman Sabre 2023 will run from 22 July to 4 August, primarily in Queensland off Rockhampton but also in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and New South Wales.
