While the Qantas Wallabies fly out at 4pm this afternoon for their Spring Tour of Europe the final pieces of the 2007 Bundaberg Rum Rugby Series (BRRS) schedule have been finalised, the Australian Rugby Union announced today.
The BRRS will see the Wallabies embark on an action-packed season of international Rugby which begins with two Tests against Wales and a Test against Fiji before the traditional clashes against the All Blacks and South Africans in the Tri Nations tournament.
Sydney's Telstra Stadium will host Wales in the opening match of the BRRS on 26 May with both teams then moving to Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane for the 2nd Test on 2 June. The Wallabies then cross the continent to take on Fiji, for the first time since 1998, at Subiaco Oval in Perth on 9 June.
The Wallabies will then kick off their Tri Nations campaign in South Africa before returning to play New Zealand in Melbourne for the first time in eight years on 30 June. The final home Test of the year will be against South Africa in Sydney on 7 July before the Wallabies conclude their winter Test series against the All Blacks in Auckland on 21 July.
Both Wales and Fiji are opponents for the Wallabies in next year's Rugby World Cup and the BRRS will give both teams the opportunity to secure bragging rights before the tournament.
Qantas Wallabies Coach John Connolly spoke of the importance of these matches for the team and how they provide a great opportunity for Sydney, Brisbane and Perth Rugby fans to see the team before they begin their quest to win the Webb Ellis Trophy for a record third time in France.
"The Wallabies always enjoy playing in front of Australian crowds and their support is vital for the team to perform well", he said.
"A two Test series against Wales is a big challenge in anyone's language, while Fiji are one of the world's most unpredictable and colourful Rugby teams in the world. On their day they can beat anyone in world Rugby."
"There is an added incentive to win these games as we know we will face Wales and Fiji in our World Cup pool matches in September and October next year."
Ticket information will be released in Autumn 2007.
2007 Bundaberg Rum Rugby Series Schedule
Date
Match
Venue
26 May
Qantas Wallabies v Wales
Telstra Stadium, Sydney
2 June
Qantas Wallabies v Wales
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
9 June
Qantas Wallabies v Fiji
Subiaco Oval, Perth
30 June
Qantas Wallabies v New Zealand
MCG, Melbourne
7 July
Qantas Wallabies v South Africa
Telstra Stadium, Sydney