Rugby league “old school” legend Tommy Raudonikis and Broncos star David Stagg have formed an unlikely duo to support the University Rugby League World Cup in Brisbane this week.

While Raudonikis also appears an unlikely “ambassador” for a university-based tournament, he remains passionate about players preparing for life after football, while Stagg is doing just that, juggling a full-time career as a professional sportsman with part-time study for his Bachelor of Technology (Civil Engineering).

“University football is absolutely great,” said Raudonikis, who did a trade in the Air Force.

“It’s so important to get an education and prepare for life after football.

“In my day, the emphasis was on a job or trade. Footy didn’t keep you going. It was a bonus. While some things have changed now, there are still only so many players who can make the big money, just like in tennis, golf and most other professional sports.”

Stagg said that while it was challenging juggling studying and full-time training, it also provided a welcome “outlet”.

“Wayne Bennett is big on us doing something outside of football so the club is really supportive,” he said.

“It’s good to have something else to think about and to get away from rugby league.”

He said it was great to see the emphasis on study and/or work with the next generation of rugby league players coming through in the National Under 20 Toyota Cup. An amazing 98 per cent of the players in the competition have a job or traineeship or are studying at school, TAFE or University; and 39 have already played in the NRL this season.

The 2008 University World Cup will be launched at Parliament House in Brisbane this Friday and features eight teams - Australia, New Zealand, England, Scotland, France, Wales, Ireland and Greece. It will be played over 15 days with the final at Langlands Park on July 19.

The University World Cup was first held in 1989 in New Zealand and has been held six times, with New Zealand Australia winning three tournaments each. New Zealand are the defending champions having beaten Australia in the last World Cup in 2005, with Australia’s last trophy win in 1996.

The University World Cup is the first of five “affiliated” tournaments to be held in conjunction with the 2008 Rugby League World Cup, which will feature 10 countries in 18 matches at 12 venues from October 25 to November 22.

The other affiliated tournaments scheduled for this year include:
Police: November 2 - 15
Womens: November 2 - 15
Defence: November 5 - 16
Wheelchair: November 6 - 17

Follow the University World Cup at the official website: http://worldcup.aurl.com.au