35 years.
It's been a long time between Tests at the SCG for the Wallabies.
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It could very much be their last.
The Wallabies and captain Michael Hooper are well aware of the history that awaits them when they run out on Saturday against England.
The ground will always be connected with the national side, the site of their first Test against the British Isles in 1899.
However, he impending opening of Allianz Stadium will likely see big matches move metres across the road to the new rectangular facility, starting with Wallabies-Springboks in September.
It adds another level to the contest, with both teams locked at 1-all as they look to claim the inaugural Ella-Mobbs Cup.
“If they haven’t, they will when they turn up today,” Hooper responded when asked about if the players understood the history.
“The stadium is remarkable and the field looks incredible, the deck is in top nick which is good for the amount of rain that has been through Sydney in the last bit.
“It’s a sellout, not a ticket left and it’s going to be a special night.
“I’m a Sydney boy, very proud of where I came from and grew up. I came out here watching cricket Tests and AFL games and I’ve been lucky enough to play a couple of Rugby games here. To play in for your country against England in a deciding series, it’s up there.
“One thing we know about Sydney is they absolutely love occasions like this and this may be the last occasion at the SCG for the Wallabies so what a special one to be a part of.”
The added element to this fixture is the ongoing balance across World Rugby within the July fixtures.
Eight of the top nine teams in the world will play in deciding Tests over the weekend, with first-place France pulling off two narrow wins over Japan.
After a Southern Hemisphere sweep, the Northern nations responded it kind, setting up a thrilling weekend of Rugby.
With a World Cup on the horizon, it creates added pressure for teams, with Eddie Jones likening it to a Final after last week's heroics.
“That’s been the story over the last years that there’s no easy games. You go to every game and it’s going down to the wire and it’s a tipper nightmare," he said on the current landscape.
“I think it’s great for Rugby, great for the viewer and fan. I know in our series it’s been two tussles that have kept guys on the field and in the stands on the edge of their seats. I expect tomorrow to be no different.
"It’s a pressure game, kind of like a knockout in this situation. It’s good to be a part of in terms of the learnings we’ll get out of it. It's just there to execute now and we’ll take confidence out of it for sure in what we’ve done this week and we’re happy with our preparation.”
The match will have personal significance for Hooper, drawing level with Adam Ashley-Cooper as the third most-capped Wallaby with 121.
Fitness pending, Hooper looks set to go past Stephen Moore at the end of the year, with the 2023 World Cup the potential stage to go past George Gregan's 139.
“I’ll send him a text,” Hooper laughed about going past his former Waratahs teammate.
“I think he’s back in Australia so hopefully he’s coming out. It’s something I think about later.”
