Teams & Players

Meet the Teams and players for the Noosa Twilight Polo, proudly presented by Reed & Co. Estate Agents.

POLO GAME 1

La Boscosa

Lauch Leishman

Alex Rigby

Jasmine Rozing

Binkill

Simon Skerrett

Daz Wilson

Shaun Birley

POLO GAME 2

In Noosa

Richard Curran

Myles Curran

Troy Rabuad

Stash + Lode

Tudor Marsden Huggins

Blake Ried

Morgan Lindh

NOOSA TWILIGHT POLO
GRAND FINAL

Reed & Co

Ruki Baillieu

Brendan Blake

Morgan Lindh

Sum Up

Josh Dayles

Morgan Ruig

Richard Curran

"John 'Ruki' Baillieu"

There aren’t too many names in Australian Polo that carry the influence to be called a “Legend”. John “Ruki” Baillieu is one of those players however.

Ruki has reached the pinnacle of the sport of polo, playing all over the globe. He amassed numerous wins in some of the biggest tournaments in the world. With so many tournament wins to his name its hard to choice which ones to mention – however the “Prince of Wales Polo Tournament” at the prestigious Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club is arguably the most famous and he won this tournament numerous times, he even won the tournament with the King of England, King Charles or as Ruki affectionally calls him “Charlie”.

Ruki has also played numerous tournaments with Prince Harry and Prince William, both of whom he calls friends.

At his peak, Ruki’s handicap amassed to a huge 8goals, only 2 other players in Australia’s history has been to this level. Ruki is the only one of 3 Australian to have played in the pinnacle of the sport the “Argentina Open” – only titans of the sport play in this tournament, often revered as the fastest, most brutal of all tournaments as the winners of this are crowned the champions of the sport.

“Mr Ryan Reynolds”

Shaun Birley, the unmistakable dooplegänger of Ryan Reynold’s. The man was destined for polo, it was written in Ryan’s stars and what Ryan wishes for, Shaun gets.

An Instagram sensation, ladies globally lust over him… if he isn’t on a polo field, he is jet setting the globe in pursuit of the perfect picture. He models for Ralph Lauren, so playing polo was only a matter of time.

Shaun made his debut this time last year on the Polo circuit, and for someone who had never ridden a horse 12 months his ability shows no limits, its truly remarkable how quickly he has picked up the sport. He has been coached by many of players you see here today, we are still trying to work out if that’s a good thing or bad.. you be the judge!

So if you think you see Ryan Reynold’s on the 5th October 2024, it wont be him – it will be our pin up boy Shaun.

“Mr Serious”

Lauch discovered polo later in life whilst attending a bucks day in Argentina in 2018. Having recently sold his businesses, he quickly decided that polo was his new life. His love of sport and animals made polo a natural fit for him. He moved to Argentina in late 2018 to fast track his polo career.

Lauch asked his coach in Argentina in 2019, this question “when do you think I will get to 10 goals?”, the question was met with confusion, then a smirk and this was the coaches response “maybe your grandchildren’s, grandchildren will get to 10 goals, you personally, will never”!

Not to be one to take one persons opinion to heart, Lauch has now spent the best part of 4 years immersing himself in polo and he believes he finally ready to start taking down some of the titans of the sport, starting with winning the Polo & Provedores Cup.

Often described as “serious” on and off the field.. he does tend to loosen up after a couple cold beers… he carries a next level aptitude for winning and he hopes this will be enough to bring home the 2023 Noosa P&P cup.

“The Party”

Morgan Ruig started playing polo on his family farm west of Brisbane when he was 12 years old. A bright future kicked off when he won the prestigious BMW Tournament in Brisbane, his first 10 goal match as a 14 year old.

His polo prowess took him to Argentina where he got to 2 goals as a 17 year old working for La Dolfina, one of the most successful polo teams in the world. His tenor with them was during their dominant 2006 Triple Crown win and the rumours have it, that they wouldn’t have made the triple without him.

Without doubt, his greatest sporting achievement would be not as a polo player, but as a “Professional” golf player, when he competed in the 2016 North Korean Pro Am. He is one of only two Australian golf players to compete in North Korea! Rumour has it he shanked the ball of the first tee, and it didn’t get much better after that.

Unfortunately sex, booze and rock and roll found Morgan and he hit a major plateau in his polo career which has lasted to current day. Watch out for him, he will be the life of the party.

Troy Rabuad “Mr DJ”

Fresh off his Australian Open winning form, “Mr DJ” is the new kid on the block. Some say he could be one of Australia’s best, the man ozzes style, strength and his passion for polo is unrivaled ... but the real question is, can he show up Raw Ordio with his skills at the after party?

Daz “Nice Guy” Wilson

He hits a mean ball, he is as strong as an ox but dont let that fool you...

“Nice” and polo dont go hand in hand normally, but somehow this legend has managed to do it.

Daz is now a household name on the Australian Polo circuit but he really only got started a few short years ago. He has gone ahead in leaps and bounds, he is a real student of the sport and now has his own horses and has well and truly got the “polo bug”.

You wont miss Daz on the day, he will be the guy with the biggest smile, scoring goals.

Josh “Playboy” Dayles

Style, Charisma and Charm come to mind when you think of Josh.

Often akind to Hugh Heffner, Mr Playboy Dayles is a ferocious competitor both on the field and off the field.

Flying in from Melbourne, this guy will be one of the superstars on day, the question is will this be on the field or off the field? Time will tell.

Sorry ladies, this Playboy is taken.

Simon “Skezdog” Skerrett

Simon Skezdoggy Skerett is legend of the sport. One of best in the business when it comes to riding, his nickname on the field is “pest” ... this guy, he will run down, hussle and just down right annoy anyone he plays against. He has a genuine swing and will be there to win on the day.

But where Skezdog really excels is off the field, often not far from “The Party” Ruig he will always be the last man standing and if there is one thing he will be, it will be fun. Get around him!

“The Prince of Polo”

Blake Reid started playing polo when he was 13 years old around South-East Queensland. His parents had farms and horses since he was a child so was lucky enough to get into polo from a young age.

After school he spent a few years using polo to travel around Australia as well as internationally to England, NZ, Philippines and Argentina. He has one of the most natural swings in the game and scares his opponents with his menacing on field attitude. His off field game is the polar opposite, often dubbed “The Prince of Polo”. His biggest achievement to date is probably winning the prestigious Gold Cup in Australia 3 times.