Rugby Australia has confirmed the Wallabies fixtures for the upcoming Bledisloe Cup series and Rugby Championship, headlined by a Bledisloe clash in Perth.
The clash will be played at Optus Stadium on August 21 against New Zealand to open the tournament, the first time the Wallabies have played at Optus Stadium since their record Bledisloe Cup win in 2019.
The series will kick off on Saturday August 7 at Eden Park in Auckland, with the decider slated for Sky Stadium in Wellington.
The final two games will also double as part of the Rugby Championship before four straight home Tests and South Africa and Argentina respectively.
Rugby Australia revealed that the world champion Springboks will travel to Suncorp Stadium on September 18 to face the Wallabies, with the rest of the venues yet to be confirmed.
Rugby Australia CEO Andy Marinos said: “For fans in Perth, it doesn’t get much bigger and better than a Bledisloe Cup Test on home soil and we can’t wait to get back to Western Australia this year, and the brilliant Optus Stadium.
“It was a spectacular night back in 2019 and the entire Rugby community in Perth is buzzing ahead of the game in August.
“Then we look forward to the visit of Rassie Erasmus and the world champion Springboks. They thrilled the world with their play in Japan two years ago and we look forward to seeing them battle it out with our Wallabies on the 18thof September at Suncorp Stadium. They will be arriving on our shores fresh from their Lions Tour, and we are excited to pit ourselves against them having missed that opportunity last year."
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The news that the lone Bledisloe Test on Australian soil will head West delighted Western Australia’s Tourism Minister, David Templeman, hopeful of replicating the atmosphere and result from 2019.
"For fans of rugby union, it doesn’t get any better than Bledisloe. The 2019 game in Perth holds an attendance record for Optus Stadium that still stands today, so we know the value this event has in terms of its potential to attract visitors to WA and showcase our State’s attractions through TV broadcast," he added.
“For locals, it’s an incredible opportunity to soak up the atmosphere of this trans-Tasman rivalry, right here in their own backyard and I know it will bring people out in force.”
This was shared by his Queensland counterpart Sterling Hinchliffe as they prepare to welcome South Africa back to Brisbane for the first time since 2018.
“This is a match-up of two Rugby greats that will attract a strong local and national audience,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“We know world-class sporting events support local jobs and our economic recovery.
“In 2018 when the Springboks played the Wallabies at Suncorp Stadium, the game contributed $7 million to Brisbane’s visitor economy.
“For interstate Rugby fans, this is an ideal opportunity to visit Brisbane for a great sporting and holiday experience.”
New Zealand v Wallabies, Saturday 7 August at Eden Park, Auckland (kick-off time TBC)
Wallabies v New Zealand, Saturday 21 August at Optus Stadium, Perth (kick-off time TBC)
New Zealand v Wallabies, Saturday 28 August at Sky Stadium, Wellington (kick-off time TBC)
Wallabies v Springboks, Saturday 11 September (venue and kick-off time TBC)
Wallabies v Springboks, Saturday 18 September at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane (kick-off time TBC)
Wallabies v Argentina, Saturday 25 September (venue and kick-off time TBC)
Wallabies v Argentina, Saturday 2 October (venue and kick-off time TBC)
