General public tickets go on sale tomorrow for the Qantas Wallabies’ three afternoon Test matches against Fiji, Scotland and Italy this June.
The 'Arvo Test Rugby' Series kicks off for the Qantas Wallabies at AAMI Park in Melbourne against Fiji (3pm AEST, Saturday 10 June), followed by matches against Scotland at Allianz Stadium in Sydney (3pm AEST, Saturday 17 June) and Italy at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane (3pm AEST, Saturday 24 June).
The 2017 Arvo Test Rugby Series marks the first time in the professional era that all three June Tests will be played in the afternoon.
The Wallabies' last afternoon Test was played in 2014 against France in front of a record-breaking crowd at Allianz Stadium in Sydney where the Wallabies triumphed 39-13 to seal a series whitewash over the visitors, and home town hero Will Skelton scored a try in his Wallabies debut.
This year, each of the three visiting teams will be chasing rare wins against the men in gold.
Fiji, buoyed by the recent Olympic success of their men’s Sevens team, will delight fans with their explosive brand of attacking rugby, while perennial competitors Scotland – who remain largely unaffected by the Lions Tour – will be looking to register a second straight win on Australian soil after having lost their two most recent matches against the Wallabies by just one point.
The Series will conclude with a Suncorp blockbuster against the Italian ‘Azzurri’, who last year shocked South Africa when they defeated them, 20-18, in a gripping encounter.
Australian Rugby Union CEO Bill Pulver said the Tests will be a family friendly affair.
“These afternoon Test matches make it much easier to take the family along, giving our youngest fans the opportunity to watch their Wallabies heroes in action.
“During last year’s June Series against England we set new attendance records at Allianz Stadium and AAMI Park and had another very strong crowd at Suncorp Stadium.
"We’re going back to these same venues this year as they’re all purpose-built for Rugby and inspire a tremendous atmosphere not just in the stadiums but across the cities.
“The Wallabies will be looking to get their 2017 campaign off on the right foot, but we know all three visiting nations will be fiercely competitive and play with characteristic passion.
"The 3pm kick offs will lend a real sense of nostalgia to the Series and we encourage as many fans as possible to get to the stadiums and support their Wallabies.”
