Perth will host a rugby union Test at a rectangular ground for the first time next year when Australia takes on Argentina in the Rugby Championship.
The 14 Tests so far in the West Australian capital have been played at Subiaco Oval, an Australian football venue.
But in a move aimed at delivering a fan-friendly environment for Perth rugby followers, the Test will be played at nib Stadium which has a capacity of 20,500.
The home ground for Perth’s Super Rugby franchise, the Western Force, the stadium will stage a September 17 clash with Argentina.
It has also been awarded a Rugby Championship match involving South Africa in 2017.
The stadium is one of two new Test venues for the Wallabies, with another rectangular ground, Melbourne’s AAMI Park scheduled to host one of the three-game series against England before the Rugby Championship.
Australia’s other home Rugby Championship fixtures next year will be against New Zealand on August 20 at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium and South Africa at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on September 10.
Their away games will be against the All Blacks on August 27, the Springboks on October 1 and the Pumas on October 8 at venues to be announced.
The Sydney Test against the All Blacks will be the only one of Australia’s six home games in 2016 not played at a rectangular venue.
Cynics might suggest the Wallabies are playing at smaller rectangular grounds because they would have problems filling the bigger venues, but purists will be happy to see the matches played in stadia more naturally shaped for the sport.
“Our fans deserve the best possible experience when they come to a Test match and a move to a rectangular venue which is fan-friendly and purpose built for rugby is a great outcome for fans,” Australian Rugby Union boss Bill Pulver said.
The only component of the Wallabies 2016 schedule to be finalised is the end-of-year spring tour.
chris
Guest
I wish the crowds get sorted for Union in Australia
daniel
Guest
I've been to see the boys play against the wallers a couple of times at subi. The stadium is a joke. Even worse than stade de france (who puts a running track around tge outside of a football pitch). Subi is never full as you are just to far from the action. I for one will be purchasing early for NIB stad tiks
Alex DeLarge
Guest
That's like saying why there is no test in Geelong. Gold Coast is a holiday resort, not a sporting 'town'. Get a ride to Brisbane to the stadium, problem solved.
pjm
Roar Rookie
They don't whinge though because they know what they are, Canberra just tries too hard though.
pjm
Roar Rookie
Can't your mum pick us up? She still has the Tarago doesn't she?
Tigranes
Guest
They should be playing more games at the SFS - Id imagine that Wallabies v Pumas/Springboks would sell out the SFS.
Bakkies
Guest
What about the show box selection for the England match?
Daws
Guest
The tickets will be through the roof Bakkies. Perth is like Cape Town 2.0
Epiquin
Roar Guru
My guess is there won't be much in the way of upgrades to it. The new Stadium will probably serve most future needs and if a smaller, rectangular stadium is required, the trend is for new stadiums closer to city-centres.
Mal
Guest
It's low level heritage listed, so changes are possible. Not sure what is so significant about the structure.
The Sheriff
Guest
Take them to Question Time for entertainment?
Epiquin
Roar Guru
So does Newcastle and Townsville
Epiquin
Roar Guru
Someone may be able to correct me here, but I think nib Stadium's main stand is heritage listed, so they are quite limited with expansion options for the ground. New Perth Stadium will have movable tiers which may be a better long term option.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
It wasn't so long ago that the Sydney Bledisloe test was the kind of game you were lucky to get tickets for, now it gets played in front of 20,000 empty seats.
Andrew
Guest
A game against Argentina might fly there. Of course the Argies might complain that spending a week in Canberra was cruel and unusual punishment :)
Andrew
Guest
Who's running the gauntlet on the drive home. The cheapest part of the night would be the Uber ride :)
Realist
Guest
Canberra gets shafted by ARU again.
pjm
Roar Rookie
Playing in GC is a waste. A rugby head living in Brisbane will travel down to the coast and a rugby head living in GC will travel up to Brisbane. Spread the games out more geographically.
pjm
Roar Rookie
I haven't watched it at Subiaco but I've seen a game at the Gabba, never again. League can play at grounds like the MCG and SCG as you don't actually have to see what is going on.
pjm
Roar Rookie
Can you organize a car pool RT?