The Wallabies are excited to confirm their 2023 eToro Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup fixtures, which will set the foundations for their Rugby World Cup preparations which kicks off in France in September.
In a truncated version of the competition due to the sport’s showpiece tournament, the Wallabies will kick-off their campaign against current World Champions South Africa at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on July 8.
The side will then depart the Highveld and return to Australia to take on Argentina at CommBank Stadium in Sydney just seven days later in what will be their first hit out on home soil for the year, on July 15.
The schedule then sees the Bledisloe Cup fixtures played back-to-back with the Wallabies hosting the All Blacks at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday July 29.
The iconic venue has only hosted just three Tests in the past, the last time back in 2007 where the Wallabies defeated New Zealand 20-15 in front of nearly 80,000 spectators.
The team will then cross the ditch and run out at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin for the return clash on August 5, hoping to get their hands on the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since 2002.
Rugby Australia CEO, Andy Marinos said: “2023 is a big year for our men in gold as we look ahead to the Rugby World Cup in France. The eToro Rugby Championship home fixtures are an important part of this preparation as we look forward to welcoming the Pumas and All Blacks to our backyard. With the Pumas at Commbank Stadium and All Blacks at the MCG there is a lot of exciting rugby ahead.”
“With the Rugby World Cup less than nine months away I know the team will be wanting to get hold of some silverware before then and these matches will provide the perfect platform for this. With a new Wallaby coach in charge and being the last coach to have won the Bledisloe Cup , expectations will be high throughout the international series.
“As always, we would like to thank all of our partners and broadcasters for their continued support, as well as the State Governments for their ongoing support and co-operation in delivering world-class sporting events in Australia.”
Wallabies head coach, Eddie Jones said: “The Rugby Championship is one of the toughest competitions in the world and to play against high-quality sides in South Africa, New Zealand and Argentina in a World Cup year is perfect preparation for our team.”
“To be able to play in Sydney against the Pumas is going to be a great hit-out and then you’ve got the MCG which is one of the most iconic stadiums in the world with 100,000 Wallabies supporters there cheering us on.
“There’s plenty to be done between now and then but I can’t wait to bring the team together and get to work.”
The Australia v Argentina eToro Rugby Championship match in Sydney on Saturday, 15 July is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW.
Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos said: “Victoria is the nation’s major events capital and the MCG will be packed with fans watching the Wallabies and the All Blacks battle it out for the Bledisloe Cup.”
“We want to encourage rugby fans from across the country and New Zealand to visit Melbourne and watch the game live and experience everything our state has to offer.”
