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.”
Tony
Guest
Yet again, SANZAAR panders to Australia and South Africa. During RWC years, TRC is shortened to one round with 3 games for each nation. So two countries will play 2 home games, the other 2 only one. In 2015, AUS and SAF had two home games. In 2019, AUS and ARG. In 2023, AUS and SAF get 2 home games. Why is there a bias?
Loosey
Roar Rookie
It's good to hear Aaron Smith's feelings on 2022 and to know that they were off their game mentally. To be 'scared' to be an AB is really saying something. Kiwi confidence took a hit from all sides. Up till now, they've had performance and confidence on tap but it dried up a little last year. That is music to the ears of all RWC QF aspirants but also shows that you can wear down top, top sides eventually. I expect they'll come back hard this year. It is some operation they have in EnZed. Like every year, the Wallabies will look to the possibilities of finally knocking over NZ for the Bledisloe and this draw is kind to that goal.
Loosey
Roar Rookie
I heard it was 380,000. :silly:
Wizz
Roar Rookie
Who wants to play in the peat bogs of N.Z eoeanyway.Not sure why people still live there ,never forget that smug assed look on Foster's face post match press conference after the obvious French theft in MCG I'm patiently waiting for early All black exit at world cup so don't have to hear about them or Foster for a year.
Wigeye
Guest
Could play another in NZ if it helps out :laughing: have some vacant grounds at that time I can call my people :laughing: . Nah . She's pretty full on in oz grounds at that time. Sport wins in the end
Wigeye
Guest
And structures
Wigeye
Guest
All the kiwis know when ones on
Wigeye
Guest
Oh the game of 2 halves at carrisbrook about mid 90s against wallabys on the scarfy bank. Lucky to win that one :silly:
andrewM
Roar Rookie
Optus is like 100 times better than Subi for watching Rugby
andrewM
Roar Rookie
Err...yeah.I have only missed one Perth test since 2004..
andrewM
Roar Rookie
:laughing: stop it.please..Who are those sad little people in the corner? Oh that's the Storm and Rebels membership teams :crying:
andrewM
Roar Rookie
As much as I would love another Bledisloe in Perth, I reckon it should go to Brisvegas
Censored Often
Roar Rookie
If it’s not a rectangle at kick off it’s not adapted.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yeh Ken, it was at that time classed as the greatest test match ever till the game at Ellis Park in Jo’burg in 2013, in which I was also lucky enough to be there. Even the crowd at Ellis Park was unreal.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Yes I went to far more tests back then Ken. Were you that drunken yobo giving me grief or was I the drunken yobo giving you grief :laughing: :laughing: After 10 mins I thought it going to be 100 nil, but it was a game for all time. I went to 1 where it had 102,000 people too but cant remember if that was the Olympic stadium or the first ever MCG Bledisloe test.
Clifto
Roar Pro
No Eden Park matches in this year's Bled? Yes please.
Deano
Guest
Understandable in the circumstances that the Bledisloe is played in Melbourne. But why not Docklands rather than MCG? Docklands has a large capacity, is more oval than round, and the roof can be closed. They have played rugby tests there before with capacity crowds, and it worked well.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
So you were there too Jacko? I thought I recognised you.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Muzzo, it was 108,000, and I was there too. Plenty of transTasman banter. I’d apologise for the things I said, but I’m not sorry yet. :silly: The greatest game I’ve ever been at. A heavyweight bout between the world favourites vs the world champions. And Jonah, the heavyweight winger won it at the death. I miss Jonah. My favourite All Black.
Clifto
Roar Pro
Agreed. Commbank at Parra is an awesome stadium. With a decent crowd in it will be 100x better than the SCG. But that's the rub... getting a decent rugby crowd into Parra for Test matches has been a challenge in the past.