Wallabies announce Rugby Championship Test schedule for 2016

I would have thought that the Adelaide Oval would be a great venue for a 2016 Wallabies test match either in the RC or the English tour. Like that the ARU is using smaller grounds, Perth Oval is a smart move.

Not really too much to ask - more a convention than anything else. Melbourne's rectangular stadium will stitch you up though... We actually get punters asking for us to call it by the current sponsor name rather than the other way around quite often.

Last time Canberra got a test only 14,000 turned up. That's not viable. Canberra is not going to get more than Argentina, Fiji, Italy, etc. Other Governments bid for these games and kick in to cover shortfalls when small venues are used. Unless people who brought tickets didn't turn up. The Lions game can't have been sold out. Plenty of empty seats. The Brumbies can barely get 15,000 for a Super Rugby Playoff game. The stadium was filled out regularly between 2000-2004. The Raiders pre Super League days got good crowds. There has been apathy towards the running of the sides and a lot of fans haven't come back.

Good call Sheek. As a proud Australian I will supporting Qantas against AIG Insurance at ANZ Stadium on August 8th. I also enjoy watching the league and I reckon NRMA Insurance, Toyota, or Steggles Chicken are now favourites to take the title, though Kaspersky may make a late run if they can get past Jaycar Electronics or Crown Resorts.

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver just recently did a bit on Stadium financing and naming rights. Apparently there is a stadium in the US called the "Smoothie King Stadium"...so I guess we can be grateful for some small blessings.

Sheek apparently it is because companies pay big $$ to have a stadium emblazoned with their name.

Hi Bakkies. Can you tell me the last time any city has sold out a Wallabies test other than against the Lions? (Canberra also sold out a Lions game against an under strength Brumbies outfit) And the Wallabies "tests" you speak of, the Wallabies have played Tonga(1989), Fiji(2010), the Argies(2000), Italy(2009). From memory I can't remember any Australian City selling out a match to any of these teams in the past (Rugby World Cup Opener aside). Canberra gets the highest % of population to the game than any of the Australian Super Rugby sides and is the only city in Australia where Rugby is the dominant football code. I can almost guarantee you that any test in Canberra against a Rugby Championship side would sell out. You say the stadium was filled regularly, when? In the Super Rugby GF, yes (something Sydney couldn't manage) but when else? It is a bit of a farce when Nib Stadium that seats less then Canberra Stadium gets two test and Canberra gets none. Honestly the ARU have ignored Canberra for to long and people are starting to turn to AFL as Jack said which is a shame with both the Brumbies and Vikings being the two most successful clubs in Australia in their respected level.

Canberra hasn't sold out Wallabies tests in the past and the Government need to kick in some bob that's why the ARU hasn't come back. Fans now blame the cold for not going to the Rugby, which is nonsense as the ground used to be filled regularly.

Test matches bring in new fans in my view. The Brumbies fans are down, partly, because there's no real effort by the ARU to grow the game here. The ARU send games to far off places to convert possibles to probables. Including games against the ABs. The AFL are targeting Canberra with the Giants and the ARU need to look behind them. Think of it as a long term investment in the base. Self interest from other provinces should value the local talent who have made a signifiant contribution to winning World Cups. Steve Larkham and Joe Roff would have made a pretty good AFL players. The next ones could end up playing AFL. Not to mention a reward for fans who pay high prices to sit, exposed to to the arctic wind, and support the Brumbies.

Finally no more games at subi. I wish they'd demolish the shed and get a new stand there. Anyways i guess the tickets will be at a premium so gotta get in quick.

Given the state of the Brumbies crowds I understand why the ARU hasn't gone back for a long time

The RC will be back to full and home and away in 2016, plus the third Bledisloe too. Next year I think Bled 3 will be down in Dunedin..

I'm sure a 'large' crowd will turn up for that one... Well at least I will be there.

Yeah mate, its a best-of-four again in 2017, init?? Just after the Lions series too....

Sheek I have no idea what ground they're talking about these days. I'm surprised I haven't turned up for a game at the SFS only to find out it was being played at Homebush.

Jack, come 2017, when the Wallabies have two home Bledisloes again, they'll go to Sydney and Brisbane, and as mentioned in this item, Perth will host South Africa. It's my understanding that Canberra will host the home game against Argentina in 2017..

These days only if we are on the ABC Sheek. Plenty of us still say Lang Park and "the Olympic Stadium" though I don't expect those names to be used in the media.

No matches for Canberra then. The ARU has ignored its heartland and bit by bit it fades away. There is a super. 14 team here in case the ARU has forgotten. Canberra could match Perth crowds for the Pumas game.

Is it asking too much that we call these stadiums as follows? ANZ Stadium Australia. Suncorp Lang Park. NIB Perth Oval/Stadium.

Play the Boks in Perth. Perth is not the right venue for Argentina- East coast is. Canberra/Newcastle/Melbourne