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Starward is the official whisky partner of Australia\u2019s national rugby teams for the upcoming World Cups<\/p>\nAustralian whisky brand Starward has agreed to a multi-year partnership with Rugby Australia, commencing for the 2026 international season.<\/p>\n
Starward is the official whisky partner of Australia\u2019s national rugby teams for the upcoming World Cups<\/p>\n
The partnership will see the Melbourne-based distillery serve as the official whisky partner of the men\u2019s national team, the Wallabies, the women\u2019s national team, the Wallaroos, and Perth SVNS.<\/p>\n
Australia is also the next host of the men\u2019s Rugby World Cup, which takes place in October 2027, and the next women\u2019s Rugby World Cup, which will be held in 2029.<\/p>\n
Starward founder David Vitale said: \u201cWhen I started Starward, I wanted to make a whisky that could stand next to the world\u2019s best and belong there \u2013 not as an Australian version of something else, but as something the world hadn\u2019t tasted before.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Wallabies and Wallaroos are building toward exactly that moment: Australia on home soil in 2027 and 2029, showing the world what we\u2019re made of. That\u2019s a story Starward understands from the inside. We\u2019re proud to be part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Through the partnership, Starward will be at the centre of fan experiences at all home Wallabies and Wallaroos Test matches, as well as at the Perth Sevens.<\/p>\n
Starting from the 2026 international season, the brand will have exclusive pourage and interactive activation rights at the matches.<\/p>\n
The agreement also includes rights to match-day hospitality, stadium signage, player appearances, co-branded merchandise, and a series of limited edition product releases.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are thrilled to welcome Starward, a proud Australian-owned and operated business, into the Australian rugby family,\u201d added Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis new partnership will help elevate the unforgettable, shared experiences for our supporters at home events, and we\u2019re looking forward to raising a glass in July.\u201d<\/p>\n
In January, Vitale acquired full ownership of the Starward business<\/a> after Diageo\u2019s involvement with the brand through its Distill Ventures accelerator programme ended.<\/p>\n Diageo had held a 30% minority stake<\/a> in Starward since 2015.<\/p>\n Vitale, who established Starward in 2007, spoke to SB last year about how Australian spirits can win at home and away<\/a>, as well as about Australia\u2019s opportunity in the whisky market<\/a>.<\/p>\n Starward\u2019s head distiller and head blender, Carlie Dyer<\/a>, also explained the brand\u2019s approach to distilling through a wine lens.<\/p>\n Related news<\/p>\n \n
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