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The ARU has announced the Wallabies will play three afternoon Test fixtures next June in the international window.
Australia will take on Fiji (Melbourne, AAMI Park), Scotland (Sydney, ANZ Stadium) and Italy (Brisbane, Suncorp Stadium) over three weekends in June next year, with all matches to kick off at 3pm local time, the first time this has occurred since the professional era began.
This year’s June Test series against England saw the Wallabies lose all three matches under lights. Perhaps the only thing more concerning than the results to fans was the kick-off time of each match.
ARU CEO Bill Pulver enacted the change as a result of feedback from fans.
“Fans have told us that they would like more opportunities to watch Test Rugby in the afternoon, with clearly the biggest reason being that an afternoon timeslot makes it much easier to take the family along,” Pulver said.
It’s a move that mirrors the traditions of Rugby in the Northern Hemisphere, who often play day fixtures due to climate pressures.
It will be the first time in Australia since the beginning of the professional era that all three matches in the mid-year Test window will be played in the afternoon.
“The 3pm kick off across all of our June Test matches for 2017 gives fans, particularly our youngest fans, the opportunity to come out see the Wallabies play at a time that’s more convenient for families and to experience the game in the best rectangular stadiums in the country,” Pulver said.
“We set new attendance records at Allianz Stadium and AAMI Park during our England Series this year and had another very strong crowd at Suncorp Stadium. All three venues are purpose-built for Rugby and the afternoon kick offs always attract strong interest and create a tremendous atmosphere not just in the stadiums but right across the cities.”
The prospect of playing in daylight has excited more than just the fans, with players such as rookie Wallaby Reece Hodge relishing the opportunity to play in dryer conditions.
“It’s really conducive to attacking football, obviously you don’t get as much dew on the ground, and the conditions are a bit more comfortable for playing that attacking rugby,” Hodge told Rugby.com.au
The series opens on Saturday, June 10, 2017, with the Wallabies taking on Fiji in Melbourne.
Wallabies v Fiji, Saturday 10 June, AAMI Park
Wallabies v Scotland, Saturday 17 June, Allianz Stadium
Wallabies v Italy, Saturday 24 June, Suncorp Stadium
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.