2026 UQ Rugby Benefit Dinner in New York

Get ready for an unforgettable evening of camaraderie and celebration of rugby, at the 2026 UQ Rugby Benefit Dinner in New York. The night will include a lively panel of rugby greats, a live auction, raffle prizes and the announcement of the prestigious Mark Loane Medallist, presented by Dr Mark Loane AM himself.

America Josh will be MC’ing the event and we hope you can join us as we celebrate the spirit of rugby. Everyone is invited and very welcome.

• 6:30–7:30pm: Cocktail Reception by Corporate Traveller
• 7:30–10:30pm: UQ Rugby Benefit Dinner

Rugby Guest Panelists

• Danny Cipriani – Cipriani has 16 caps for England, over 300 English Premiership appearances and 19 appearances with the Melbourne Rebels.
• James Hanson – Hanson has 12 caps for the Wallabies (2015 Rugby World Cup runner-up) and is a Super Rugby centurion with 135 appearances for the Queensland Reds and Melbourne Rebels. He was the UQ Rugby premiership-winning captain in 2011, 2013 and 2021.
• Kieran Read – Read has 127 Test caps for the All Blacks, 52 as captain, and won the Rugby World Cup in 2011 and 2015. He was named World Rugby Player of the Year in 2013, won four Super Rugby titles across 156 appearances for the Crusaders, and finished his career in Japan with Toyota Verblitz.
• Colin Slade – Slade has 21 caps for the All Blacks and won the Rugby World Cup in 2011 and 2015. He made 78 Super Rugby appearances for the Crusaders and Highlanders, then 85 appearances for French club Pau.
• Ryan Crotty – Crotty has 48 caps for the All Blacks (2019 Rugby World Cup) and is a Crusaders centurion with 156 appearances, including vice-captaining the side to three straight Super Rugby titles from 2017 to 2019. He also played for Japan’s Kubota Spears and is now an assistant coach at the Crusaders.

Guest Speaker

• Dr Mark Loane AM – Doctor of Medicine ’17, Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery ’77 – Dr Loane is a distinguished ophthalmologist and Australian rugby legend. He earned 28 caps for the Wallabies, including six as captain, and made 89 appearances for the Queensland Reds. A former UQ Red Heavy, he will present the 2026 Mark Loane Medal to a promising American rugby player.

A portion of your ticket price is tax deductible. Exclusive benefits apply to tables over US$2,950, review benefits during registration process. This event is in support of the continued redevelopment of the UQ Rugby Club clubhouse.

Want more rugby while you are in town? Australia A are set to take on the USA Eagles on Friday 30 October at Sports Illustrated Stadium, New Jersey. Find more information and secure your tickets here.

Check out the highlights from the 2025 UQ Rugby Benefit Dinner.