In a strategic move ahead of the highly anticipated British & Irish Lions series, the Wallabies have scheduled a Test match against Fiji on July 6 at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium. This encounter will serve as Australia’s sole warm-up before the Lions tour.
The upcoming match marks the first meeting between the Wallabies and the Flying Fijians since Fiji’s surprising 22-15 victory during the 2023 Rugby World Cup in Saint Étienne. Reflecting on Fiji’s recent performances, Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt noted, “In their bid to make the semi-finals, Fiji were just six points shy of beating England at the last World Cup in 2023. They beat Wales in Cardiff last November and bring a physicality and flair that makes them entertaining to watch and tough to beat.”
The choice of Newcastle as the venue is significant, as the Wallabies last played there in 2020, resulting in a 15-all draw against Argentina. NSW Sports Minister Steve Kamper emphasised the importance of the fixture, stating, “It’s going to be one of the biggest years ever for rugby with all eyes to be on Newcastle for the Wallabies’ last and only match before the highly-anticipated British & Irish Lions series.”
Following the Fiji Test, the Wallabies will commence their three-Test series against the British & Irish Lions, starting in Brisbane on July 19, followed by matches in Melbourne and Sydney. This pre-Lions fixture against Fiji not only offers the Wallabies a chance to fine tune their strategies but also provides fans with an exciting preview of the team’s form leading into the historic Lions series.
Read more: https://wallabies.rugby/news/wallabies-to-play-in-fiji-in-newcastle-2025127
