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The Wallabies will enjoy the advantage of two home games against the All Blacks for the first time since 2014 following the release of the Australian domestic Rugby Championship draw for 2017.
As was the case in 2016, Sydney’s ANZ Stadium will play host to Bledisloe 1, which is also the first game of the Rugby Championship. However, rather than playing the remaining two Trans-Tasman Tests in New Zealand, Game 3 will be played at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday, October 21.
» Complete 2017 Rugby Championship draw
Following the first Bledisloe match on August 19, the Wallabies will head to Perth to take on the Springboks on September 9 before meeting Argentina a week later at a yet-to-be confirmed venue.
The ground for the match against the Pumas will be announced early in 2017.
Instead of changing to a mid-afternoon time like the Wallabies’ home Tests in June against Fiji, Scotland and Italy, the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe fixtures played in Australia will all retain their 8pm (AEST) kickoff time.
“Fans can expect some incredible rugby from this 2017 Rugby Championship schedule, featuring two Bledisloe Cup matches on home soil, the Springboks in Perth where they always attract a strong following, and a soon-to-be-confirmed clash with Argentina,” said ARU CEO Bill Pulver.
“This competition sets the standard in international rugby for the rivalry, skill and flair it showcases. To have the best teams on the planet playing in our backyard is a wonderful opportunity for sports lovers – young and old – to see some of the world’s best rugby first-hand.”
The Wallabies will no doubt be hoping the two home Tests against the dominant All Blacks will provide them with a chance to hold the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since a 1-1 series result in 2002 allowed them to retain the hallowed trophy.
Although ANZ Stadium was the site of one of the worst Wallabies performances in recent memory – they were comprehensively beaten 42-8 during the opening Bledisloe encounter earlier this year – it is also the venue where the side recorded their last victory over their Trans-Tasman rivals back in 2015.
The Wallabies and All Blacks have a history of close-fought matches played in Brisbane – the last meeting between the two at Suncorp saw New Zealand claim a one-point win in 2014, two years after an 18-all stalemate at the ground.
Tickets for the matches will go on sale in May next year.
Wallabies vs New Zealand, Saturday 19 August, ANZ Stadium, Sydney, 8pm (AEST)
Wallabies vs South Africa, Saturday 9 September, nib Stadium, Perth, 8pm (AEST)
Wallabies vs Argentina, Saturday 16 September, Venue TBC, 8pm (AEST)
Wallabies vs New Zealand, Saturday 21 October, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 7pm (AEST)
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.