Beloved Queensland son Chris ‘Buddha’ Handy is a former player for the great Australia ‘Wallabies’ national rugby team. He also played for the local team, the Queensland Reds. Handy is a larger than life character as well as a celebrated sporting icon. He is part of the 1970s resurgence of Australian Rugby that catapulted the sport back into the heart of the nation’s sporting identity.

Famously rubbing shoulders with legends Tony Shaw and Greg Cornelson, Handy started as he meant to go on in his first Test debut at the famed Eden Park in Auckland. Following on from that, Handy saw himself face to face with some of Rugby’s most intimidating teams such as Wales, France and the legendary All Blacks. No one is quite as deserving as Handy of the title, Rugby Veteran. Handy played a total of 54 games for Queensland, and was part of the fortunate few to have lifted the Bledisloe Cup on two memorable occasions with the Australian ‘Wallabies.’

Handy famously juggled his prolific rugby career with becoming a trainee accountant, stripping down from the ‘80 minute psychopath’ to the mild-mannered, tie-wearing professional. Handy went on to foster a successful career in the television world as a broadcaster, presenter and commentator. “Go You Good Thing” became Handy’s catchphrase, which has become ubiquitous among the nation’s Rugby vocabulary.

Handy is famously connected to much-loved Queensland exports Bundy Rum and XXXX. Handy’s nickname ‘Buddha’ is as much a part of Queensland’s identity as the products he represents. Handy has secured himself a life-long place in the national consciousness. This is because of his steadfast devotion to Rugby, as well as his likeable sense of humour and ability to captivate a broad audience.