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The Wallabies’ fixtures for 2023 have been confirmed, with Dave Rennie’s men to play five Tests before getting their World Cup campaign underway against Georgia.
After opening their campaign against the Springboks at Loftus Versfeld on July 8, Australia will play two Rugby Championship Tests on home soil.
Their second TRC fixture is against Michael Cheika’s Argentinian side at CommBank Stadium on July 15.
After a two-week break, the Wallabies will wrap up their TRC campaign against the All Blacks at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 29. The Bledisloe Test will be the first time the Wallabies have played at the MCG since 2007, when John Connolly’s men won 20-15 over the All Blacks.
Rennie’s men will then play their second Bledisloe fixture against the All Blacks at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on August 5.
The Wallabies’ World Cup squad is expected to be named no later than August 11, with the tournament to get underway on September 8.
The Wallabies’ pre-World Cup fixtures have been confirmed. Photo: Matt Roberts/Getty Images
Before then, however, the Wallabies will wrap up their tournament preparations with a Test against the host nation, France, on August 26 at the Stade de France.
New Force-hooker to be one-year hit wonder
Folau Fainga’a’s stay at the Western Force will be a short one, with the Wallabies hooker to join Clermont following the World Cup in France.
After being financially squeezed out of the Brumbies, Fainga’a only ever signed a short-term deal with the Force as Rugby Australia desperately attempted to keep the hooker Down Under.
But the experienced 27-year-old, who has frustrated fans with his lack of discipline, will move to the French Top 14 following the 2023 season.
Last of Eddie’s men let go, including a former NRL star
As Steve Borthwick prepares to welcome back veteran prop Dan Cole to the fold, three of Eddie Jones’ assistants have officially departed.
Matt Proudfoot, the South African scrum coach, had already beaten the Rugby Football Union to the punch by announcing he was joining the University of Stellenbosch.
Former NRL star Brett Hodgson, who was announced as Jones’ new defence coach before the Australian head coach was sacked, has also been let go.
His departure comes as no surprise after Kevin Sinfield had agreed to join Borthwick from Leicester Tigers.
While Danny Kerry, who guided the Team GB women’s hockey team to glory at the 2016 Olympics and was brought on by Jones as a training coordinator, has also left.
Cole, 35, who has not played since struggling in the scrum during the 2019 World Cup final, is one of about 45 players attending one of two fitness-testing gatherings, according to The Times.
The tight-head prop was a key pillar in leading the Tigers to the Premiership trophy earlier in the season.
Ireland linchpin in doubt for Six Nations opener
Andy Farrell might be about to face another test of his depth in the No.10 jersey, with captain Johnny Sexton in doubt for their Six Nations opener.
The 37-year-old former World Rugby player of the year clashed heads with former Brumbies and Reds gun backrower Jarrad Butler in the 64th minute.
Jonathan Sexton (Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Sexton attempted to bring the Connacht forward down with a front on tackle that could well have seen the British and Irish Lions playmaker given his marching orders for the upright shot.
The Independent reports Sexton will miss Leinster’s remaining Heineken Champions Cup pool games against Gloucester and Racing 92, leaving him doubt to take on Wales on February 4.
All Blacks star’s ‘scared’ revelation
Aaron Smith has been one of international rugby’s best players for a decade, but the halfback said he was “scared” to be an All Blacks player during a testing 2022.
After finishing 2021 with back to back defeats, the All Blacks came under huge criticism in 2022 after losing a home series to Ireland.
Aaron Smith said he was “scared” to be an All Blacks player during 2022 following a challenging series against Ireland. Photo: Joe Allison/Getty Images
Smith, who won the World Cup in 2015 and has not lost a Bledisloe series, gave an insight into the feeling of the squad during an interview with The Times.
“After July you were scared to be an All Black for a while, because everyone was out for you, out for our throats, wanted our coaches,” he said.
His teammate Codie Taylor added: “You have to look in the mirror, and as a player you want to be out there performing. As a whole we weren’t, individually and collectively. When you don’t get the results as an All Black, you’re criticised heavily.
“New Zealand is a small place, but we’ve got proud fans that really want to see a good product. We want to be out there delivering it. It was not the easiest All Blacks campaign.”
The All Blacks’ shock series defeat led to New Zealand Rugby making changes to Ian Foster’s coaching structure, with John Plumtree and Brad Mooar dumped. While former Ireland coach Joe Schmidt jumped on board alongside Scott Robertson’s right-hand man Jason Ryan.
Smith said the changes has worked a treat, allowing Foster to be “able to be himself again”.
“There was a big push from the leadership group that if there was catastrophic change at the top it could really throw the team out of kilter. There was a big belief in Fozzy to stay on, but he probably needed a bit of help.
“We did well in the first game against Ireland at Eden Park and then got pretty well outplayed, so there was a lot of pressure on us.
“Then when Joe and Jase [Ryan] came in, and Ian committed too, there was a real shift in the team as to how we wanted to play rugby. Heading to South Africa, there was a definite shift; we simplified our game a bit. We didn’t get it right the first time against them, but the second game was pivotal for us, to show we could win at a big stadium in tough conditions. The team really grew from that.”
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.