Zara and Mike Tindall have made headlines after choosing rugby over royal box appearances at Wimbledon this year. While tennis enthusiasts might have expected the sporty couple to be seen courtside at SW19, the pair instead turned up thousands of miles away—at Sydney’s Accor Stadium—for one of Australia’s biggest sporting events.
On Wednesday night, the Tindalls were spotted cheering on Queensland in the State of Origin rugby league decider, where the Maroons clinched a 24-12 win over New South Wales.
The couple were special guests of Nicole Slater, wife of Queensland coach Billy Slater, and fully embraced the team spirit, proudly wearing maroon to support the home side.
Their presence created a buzz among fans, many of whom were surprised to see the royals in attendance at such a high-stakes match. Zara and Mike appeared relaxed and thrilled to be part of the action, soaking in the electric atmosphere from front-row seats and even joining Nicole Slater in enthusiastic cheers for the Maroons.
Mike, always one to capture memories, was seen recording the match and crowd excitement on his phone, adding a personal touch to the lively evening.
Meanwhile, back in London, Zara’s brother Peter Phillips held up the family’s representation at Wimbledon, seated in the royal box beside Queen Camilla.
The contrast between the two siblings’ Wednesday night plans couldn’t have been more striking—one at centre court, the other at the heart of a rugby showdown.
The Tindalls’ Australian visit isn’t ending with the game. They’re set to remain Down Under for at least another week. Mike has a live taping of his podcast, The Good, The Bad & The Rugby, scheduled for July 17 in Brisbane—a nod to the couple’s ongoing ties to the Australian sporting scene and community.
Though their visits to Australia have become a familiar part of their calendar, the couple has no intention of making a permanent move. In an interview with Hello! last year, Mike explained that despite their fondness for Sydney and the friendships they’ve built there, relocating isn’t on the cards.
“It’s just too far away from family,” he shared, highlighting the importance of staying close to their loved ones in the UK.