The Wallabies will take on Samoa in their final match at home before departing for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
The match is set to be played on September 7 at the new Western Sydney Stadium in Parramatta, which it has been said will produce one of the best sporting atmospheres in the country once opened in May.
Manu Samoa, who are currently 17th in the world rankings, will provide a good test for the Wallabies to have one last hit-out.
It means Australia will play three Tests on home soil this year ahead of the World Cup. The Wallabies are slated to host Argentina in Brisbane and New Zealand in Perth, while they also travel to Auckland and Johannesburg as part of a shortened Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup schedule.
Samoa also came to Australia before the 2011 World Cup, and emerged shock winners on that occasion. Australia went onto make the semi-finals in New Zealand later that year.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said he was looking forward to the opportunity to play Samoa ahead of the World Cup, saying it would give his team a good preparation.
“With the World Cup in our sights this year we really want to build some momentum to help take our game up a level or two, I think that’s really important for us. We will have a few new tricks up our sleeve this season so we might look a little different to what most people may expect,” said Cheika.
“I’d say we’ll be going into this season’s tournaments – the Rugby Championship, the Bledisloe Cup and the World Cup – as underdogs but we will be doing everything we can to make 2019 our year.
“To play a team like Samoa in our take-off game for the World Cup will be perfect. They have a mix of razzle-dazzle and physicality which will be exactly what we need before stepping out against Fiji in Sapporo. In front of our home crowd in a brilliant new stadium in Western Sydney it should double as plenty of fireworks as well as plenty of fun for everyone.”
The Wallabies have been drawn in Group D of the World Cup, set to take on Fiji, Wales, Georgia and Uruguay, while Samoa were one of the late qualifiers into Group A, where they will take on Ireland, Scotland, Russia and hosts Japan.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
RA can't though. They can only stage a limited number of tests and need to wring every dollar out of them. The other issue is often suburban grounds can't offer the guaranteed revenue that large grounds can.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
This is fantastic news for Sydney, last hit out before the World Cup in a brilliant new Stadium. Cheika & Co will have to pick the strongest or close to strongest lineup for this game.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Or if we don’t have one, don’t pick somebody based on their goal kicking merely being not as bad as the next bloke
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
What do you mean? I read it as you’re saying it will cost less to host if it’s not televised.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Also yes no host team is obligated to give up part of the gate. But without a fee why would you travel?
rebel
Roar Guru
If they don't worry about TV coverage, then costs should be minimal.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Away teams are paid a fee for playing. Otherwise away teams would lose money on tests with match fees. The Blues match in Apia was a huge financial loss for them. It’s not what price I can put on it. It’s the price a union with poor finances can. Why would RA agree to a test that costs them money? Which is what would happen if they played in Apia for a match fee of less than $500k considering match payments are $300k(ish) alone.
AJ
Guest
Hodgey for a wing spot
riddler
Roar Rookie
what is foley's kick rate in tests?
riddler
Roar Rookie
are you sure? do you have numbers to back that up? rugby is not cricket where the hosting nations pays for the touring team. i am sure that hosting team doesn't have to give any of the gate takings. i am not in the aru so i can't confirm that. if you can confirm with facts, not just your stats, that would be great twas. also what price can you put on the local people in samoa getting a chance to see their national team play against oz? i think oz rugby has missed a trick here.
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
And a kicker with genuine range too. Having someone who can reliably kick 3 points from halfway is the best way to keep the opposition from infringing. Didn’t roll away from a tackle 5 metres past half way? Thanks for the three points, mate - your kickoff.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
We need a goal kicker who has a success rate of 80% plus. Both Quade and Bernard do not fill the requirements. That us, unless we score under the sticks or get a penalty 30 out and in front.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Samoa may be a lowly ranked 17th but The Wallabies should not be fooled by that. Warm up game or not, prepare for a bruiser.
Scott Pryde
Expert
I was at those matches last year, and Samoa vs Tonga in particular was the best atmosphere I've ever experienced in a sporting arena. 20,000 made the noise for 80+. Every run and hit was celebrated, and I've also never seen so many flags in one place. Will definitely be going again this year, and I don't think you need to be a rugby league fan to appreciate it, and just how good it is. Rugby AU would be missing a trick by not doing something similar.
Bobwire
Guest
I think how it's meant to work is Cheika says, "this is the plan, this is how we'll achieve it" Then all three selectors sit down and pick the players that they reckon can do the job. (This is the part where you would like to be a fly on the wall).
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Good news! The Rugby League mob were crowing the house down last year that they had "discovered" the pacific islands with the so-called Pacific test match at Cambelltown. It was a packed house of screaming supporters and good tv ratings. RA should organise a 1-2 match tour each year, perhaps alternate PI nations so Samoa in 2019, Tonga in 2020 and Fiji in 2021. Also play the matches near where there are large communities of PI folks. I would rather "feel" the atmosphere of 20,000 at Penrith or Parramatta oval than the emptiness of 18,000 at SFS or the Olympic Stadium.
jeznez
Roar Guru
We'll know more after the first Wallabies side of the year is named. We'll see whether Johnson and O'Connor drive real change into selections. If we see big changes, then they should play close to their best side and look to bed combinations down. They only have four tests (including this) before heading to the cup. If we see very much the same sort of team we've seen recently then the temptation will probably be to rest a few guys.
Carn Reds
Roar Rookie
Hey Jez, Do you think the Wallabies starters will get a look in for this squad given it is 2 weeks before the RWC kickoff or will Cheik go for the bench and broader squad members to give them game time and a chance to get some combinations ?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I doubt they want that. Samoa will make more from this game than hosting their own.
Sailosi
Guest
I doubt Samoa would want that. The costs are way to high especially in a WC year when any funds will be going towards the teams preparation